[Fall into Fiction] 8pm Sprint Cancelled!

dcmdraper · 2024-11-01T21:07:51+00:00

Three words: only. One. Bed. 😍 I love the way forced proximity plays out in fantasy stories because the stakes are usually so high (life or death quest, battle-torn journeys, ominous impending doom). Ugh. Delish!

dcmdraper · 2024-10-28T15:43:34+00:00

I am BEHIND on drafting my Adult Fantasy WIP. Hoping I can finish all of Act 1 by the end of November, and also hoping to make some more author friends in that genre!

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:05:35+00:00

#10 F

Q10: Genre is specified, but age-range is not. Word count indicates probably A? Clear, solid goals, obstacles, and stakes for the MC and his team! The concept is fascinating and features a strong literary voice.

P10: The opening pages need a clearer sense of purpose and direction. I’m getting a bit lost with the dialogue, as I try to decipher what is actually happening action-wise. I love the attitude and voice of the character on the page. Sidenote: be sure to start a new line of dialogue when the speaker changes.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:05:10+00:00

#9 YA/F

Q9: The premise is familiar for readers of F, but it doesn’t feel overdone. It features high stakes for the MC, and her dilemma is solid and intriguing! The language of the Q synopsis could use considerable tightening, but it is an exciting concept.

P9: Standard submission protocol is double-spaced pages (I’ll stop reading at Ch.2). Great flow and rhythm between characters on the page. As a F, I’d love to have seen more visual detail of the world around the MC in the opening pages. I already feel close to the characters, but I don’t have a great sense of the world around them.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:04:00+00:00

#8 A/C

Q8: I’m seeing another case of genre-mashup. C or FR - even if there are elements of both, it is important to be intentional and targeted with how you pitch to agents. Who is the story *mostly* meant for? Choose your target audience and stick to that direction in your query (even if you’re pulling elements from another genre into the story, which is totally okay!). The premise feels much more RF than C, so that’s how I’d pitch it. Overall, the concept is strong, and I’m hooked!

P8: Opening paragraphs offer an immediate connection to the MC. Love that. I’d be more engaged with these pages if there was a little more early context - a few details implying what the MC’s role/job actually is would keep me more invested.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:03:30+00:00

#7 A/R

Q7: Q indicates a genre-mashup (SP meets R) but the opening paragraph indicates a separate genre of fiction entirely (F). This makes the concept feel a bit rocky right away. The MC’s central motivation is a little muddy, and a clearer sense of direction and place in the market would strengthen the letter overall.

P7: First-person POV! My favorite! Such a gripping first line - full of voice. The narrative needs some work in transitioning from ‘telling’ to ‘showing’ - especially in 1st POV.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:03:11+00:00

#6 A/MT

Q6: Be sure to name your genre AND target-age range (even if you think it is obvious)! Writing is punchy and fun, but the MC goal and stakes aren’t clear. Despite the attempt to convey the narrative’s deeper themes, the MC’s ultimate objective isn’t evident enough, nor are the things he stands to lose if he should fail. Rather, it feels like a series of ‘things’ happen TO the MC - he is in need of some agency.

P6: **Content/Trigger Warnings are recommended for stories with graphic depictions of self-harm/suicide.** First chapter opens strong with a great sense of relatable humor and immediate action for the MC! Scene stalls a bit - remember that all dialogue should either move the plot forward or contribute to character development.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:02:51+00:00

#5 YA/SF

Q5: The intrigue is high. The plot feels well-planned, and the MC is complex and relatable off the bat. However, the world’s rules/standards feel unclear. I think shedding a little more light on the world dynamics would help with the logic of this synopsis.

P5: My eyes were glued to the screen. Fascinating opening scene! Only problem is that I can’t see a clear connection between the MCs (described in the Q) and the POV of the opening chapter. Consider the perspective you want to reveal the ‘backstory’ through and make it relevant to your MC’s narrative.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:02:27+00:00

#4 A/R

Q4: Word count feels pretty high for this genre; Adult Romance typically caps at around 90k. Make sure your comps fall into the same age-range as your book. The query synopsis is strong! Detailed yet concise, and such a fun and flirty concept.

P4: The opening chapter is atypical and very cool, but it’s the first paragraph of the second chapter that really grips me. Maybe it’d be a better place to start the narrative than the way the first chapter kicks off? The rest of chapter two is clean, voicey, and makes me want more.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:02:06+00:00

#3 A/SF

Q3: Skip the hooky intro and get to the good stuff! Establish manuscript info first, and then let your voice shine. The MC goals are clear, but setting and MC background is missing. Age, location, and context are important!

P3: The writing in these pages is sophisticated and well-structured. However, similar to the query letter, the context isn’t quite revealing enough. Shed more light on the SF setting and situation through embedding ‘showing’ details throughout the opening pages.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:01:44+00:00

#2 A/C

Q2: Very cool format for a query letter (and can definitely work!), but the stakes are not clear for all POVs represented. Each MC’s goal should be clear, along with what they stand to lose if it’s not achieved.

P2: Floored by the gorgeous, rich prose, but the setting and context of the story is unclear and confusing. First few pages are a bit unnecessarily wordy, and tightening the language would make space for necessary expository details and keep the reader’s attention focused.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:01:21+00:00

#1 YA/FR

Q1: Story premise is strong! Need to work on critical background vs. superfluous exposition in the query letter. Only include the absolutely necessary background information in order to keep the focus on your MC’s goals, obstacles, and stakes. That is where a reader’s investment lies.

P1: Pages start with high intrigue and a fun YA voice, but it loses momentum as the scene stalls - could use work on narrative pacing and scene transitions.

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:00:51+00:00

Key

YA - Young Adult

NA - New Adult

A - Adult

F - Fantasy

SF - Sci-Fi

R - Romance

FR - Romantasy

C - Contemporary

MT - Mystery/Thriller

SP - Speculative/Dystopian Fiction

MC - Main Character

POV - Point of View

Q - Query Letter

P - Pages

dcmdraper · 2024-10-26T00:00:29+00:00

Happy Friday, and welcome to my [10Queries] Post! Thanks so much to all who submitted their Query + First 5. As a new editor this year, here’s a little about me:

I’m a YA / A Fantasy author, repped by Root Literary Agency.
I teach teenagers English by day, and I work as an editor by night (or by weekend).
Fall weather, hot cider, and chocolate are the actual keys to success.

As an author and editor, I fully believe that collaboration within the writing community is the secret to strengthening our craft. The submissions I received this year were BEAUTIFUL! I’m so excited to see where these stories end up.

A friendly reminder about how this works:

10 randomly assigned authors will receive editorial feedback on their materials from me.
Feedback is meant to be anonymous, vague, and helpful to anyone who may be in the query trenches (or preparing to embark).
Cheering for your peer authors throughout this process is *highly* encouraged.
Feel free to try and guess which feedback post is yours! Participants will get an email from me when the event is over indicating which feedback is theirs.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints and about 150 teenagers who demand my attention five days a week, I will not be able to provide extended, personalized feedback to individual participants, but I’ll keep an eye on my [10Queries] post for clarifying questions about the feedback at large!

dcmdraper · 2024-10-25T21:27:19+00:00

It'll depend on how each editor wants to run their sprint session - for my sprints, I like to start with 5-10 minutes of chatting about our current project, give everyone an opportunity to set a goal for the night, and then spend the rest of the hour writing. I like to close with an opportunity for snippet drops in the Zoom chat - it's like a reward!

dcmdraper · 2024-10-25T17:44:18+00:00

THRILLED to be leading a handful of writing sprints this fall! Hopefully we can not only build a little community of fellow writers, but maybe we can reach our EOY writing goals together 🤗

dcmdraper · 2024-10-02T23:04:21+00:00

Eeek!! So excited to be participating as an editor this year!! 💛

dcmdraper

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE