Editorial Question: What Makes a Manuscript Stand Out?

This week's question comes from Daphne Woodall: When you've received 20 manuscripts over a period of time to review what is it about those that stand out that gets you excited as an editor. Is it that they followed all the guidelines, your favorite genre, the synopsis, the storyline, well written, it's uniqueness or a combination?

-------

The answer to this is easy...from my point of view. From the writer's POV, the answer is far more frustrating. Let me explain by offering a couple of examples. 

1) About a decade ago, I was freelancing as an editor, and one of my frequent clients was Howard Publishing. One day the editor sent me a manuscript for review (not edit) with the question "Should we sign this author?" I opened the manuscript and three pages later I called the editor and said, "If you don't sign her, you'll be missing a great opportunity." The book was Denise Hunter's Mending Places.

2) A few weeks ago, I was given an opportunity to acquire a manuscript to "drop in" to our spring list. A "drop in" book can be in a percarious position. It will be added to a list that's already been sold to the stores (several months ago). It needs to be strong, well done, and be able to stand out. MOST of the time, drop-ins are well-known authors who show up with a book at the last minute.

In this case, however, I was looking for a debut author with a complete manuscript. I went through the submissions I had like lightning through a cloud, looking for that one manuscript that stood out so suddenly, I knew it would work. I scoured manuscripts, reading ONLY the first five pages. I narrowed my choices to three . . . then to one. I sent that one to my team, then contacted the agent. The book, Karen Barnett's First Impressions, has been retitled Mistaken. It will be fast-tracked and release this July.

So what was it about those manuscripts that made them stand out, revealing their attraction and saleability in less than five pages?

1) Format. All recommended guidelines were followed. Why is this important? Because I was looking for a PROFESSIONAL, someone who had taken the time to study her craft and her business. Format reveals this in a heartbeat. If an author doesn't care enough to study the business, it's hard to take her seriously.

2) Rapid-fire characterization. Both books provide huge amounts of detail about the heroine's character, without being preachy (aka "telling") or cloying (aka overly sentimental). Dialogue (external and internal) provided clues and moved things along without being too introspective. 

3) Immediate motivation. Through action and character development, the first five pages revealed the characters' primary movtivation.

4) Grammatical accuracy. No typos or other mistakes to trip me up.

5) Superb word choices and creative but fluid syntax, which reveal a unique voice.

When these five things get my attention, then I check the synopsis to see if the story is well-drawn with engaging twists and a reasonable plot arc.

These are the things that are within the author's control. But then I have to figure in other details, like author's platform and web presence, genre fit within our upcoming seasons, etc. For instance, I can only buy so many historical romances a year.This is the frustrating part for authors, and it's what makes those first elements so essential.

Oh, and those first lines of Karen's story that got my attention? This is the opening, unedited. While there are tweaks I'll make, this opening made me keep reading, then turn to the synopsis, which sealed the deal.

--------------------
MISTAKEN

     Laurie Burke clutched the steering wheel of her father’s Model T as the car lurched down the deserted road toward the beach, the headlights barely denting the dark night. Rain spilled over the edges of the canvas top and soaked through her coat, wetting her through to the skin. Plowing through a low bog, the tires sent up a spray of muddy water.

     If it weren’t for her brother, Laurie would be safe at home, asleep in her bed. She tapped her fingernails against the wheel and breathed a quick prayer.

     One honorable man in my life—is that really too much to ask, God?

     As the road veered to the west, tracing the edge of the bluff, Laurie slowed the automobile to a crawl, scanning the murky shadows for signs of life. She drew in a quick breath as she spotted another automobile, pulled off the side of the road. Perched near the edge of the bluff, the car’s front wheels pointed in the direction of the Straits, not that one could see the water on a night like this.

     Carefully, she guided the Ford in beside it. Empty. She hadn’t expected to spot lovers necking in the front seat, but only fools would be out on the beach in the dark of night during a storm.

     Laurie’s stomach churned. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Please, God, don’t let my brother be one of those fools.

 

2013 Conference Attendance

Someone asked recently about the conferences I'd be attending this year. I'm only attending five this year; probably less next year. I decided to list them on the blog so that the next time someone asked, I could just send them this link. Lazy cuss that I am.

Each listing links to the conference website (if I've done this correctly).

1) The Florida Christian Writers Conference, Feb 27th - March 3rd. Leesburg, FL

2) Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference, March 20th - March 26th. Mt. Hermon, CA

3) Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, May 19th - May 23rd. Black Mountain, NC

4) Oregon Christian Writers Conference, August 12th - 15th. Portland, OR

5) ACFW Conference, Sept. 13th - Sept. 15th. Indianapolis, IN

I will NOT be attending ICRS this year nor RWA. I'm trying more and more to be a good steward with my time and my company's resources, focusing on what I do best for them - acquisitions. We've been closed to submissions for several months, and I hope to reopen in June for the 2015-2017 lists. 

If you have questions about any of these conferences or what I'll be looking for when I open to submissions again, please feel free to ask here or on my Facebook page.

Editorial Question: Say What?

This week's editorial questions comes from Mary Foster: After greetings are over what is the one thing you want to hear an author say/ask?

I love this question, especially since I'm about to head off to TWO writers conferences: the Florida Christian Writers Conference (Feb. 27-March 3) and the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference (March 21-26). I'm going to only a few conferences this year (and fewer next year), but still hope I get to see lots of folks.

In a pitch meeting, after the introductions, I usually take the lead with "So tell me about your story."

The key word in this is "story." STORY. Not message. Not theme. Not motif. STORY. I don't want to hear what lesson you're trying to teach. If your STORY doesn't engage me, I could care less about the message or the theme.

1) It all starts with the story.

A good way to begin a pitch is with the genre, word count, and status. "I have a historical romance that's 90,000 words, and it's complete."

Then move into the story. "It's about a woman, Carol Ann, who was kidnapped by the Commanche tribe in 1836. It details her trials and tribulations while with the tribe, her love story with her husband, the drama of the uncle who searched for her, and the impossibility of her readjustment when she was 'rescued' 24 years later."

Then STOP and see if I have any questions. Usually I will. This is also the time when an editor will say something like, "Sounds interesting but we don't do historicals before 1850. Do you have anything else?" IF an editor isn't interested in that pitch, DON'T PUSH. Either say, "Yes," and pitch the next story, or ask if editor has specific story ideas they are searching for. Don't surrender your time just because your story doesn't fit and you don't have another one. Show the editor you're interested in writing for a career and want to be open.

2) Be prepared to answer questions.

If the editor is interested, there WILL be questions. "Tell me more about your heroine. What's her main character arc?" or "Explain the central conflict." or "Take me up to the black moment." Know your story inside and out.

I sometimes become frustrated with writers who can't separate their story from the takeaway or the message. "It's about a woman who learns to forgive her uncle for his abuse." Fine, but what's the STORY? "It's about a woman who learns to forgive..."

That's not the story; that's the takeaway. The story is about Abigail, who's enjoying a great life as a journalist but can't quite shake the nightmares that drain her and interfere with her ability to get close to Jeff, the love of her life. Just as they are close to breaking up, her uncle dies and when she and Jeff return for the funeral, all the buried family drama unravels around them.

Yow! NOW I want to hear more!

What do I want to hear next?

Your STORY.

First Editorial Question: Taking a Different Path to the Dream

On my Facebook page, I asked if anyone had a question they wanted to ask an editor. I’ll answer such questions on Mondays, so feel free to ask more. You can leave them here on the blog or on my Facebook page.

The first question comes from Peter Leverall: Why are so many agents creating ebook publishing companies? Are you afraid that you'll miss a magical manuscript that way?

Let me answer these in reverse order.

2) Do I worry about missing a special book? No.

The main reason is a least partially what may be behind agents starting their own publishing lines: As an editor, I know a lot of good books will never find a home with a traditional publisher. There are simply more well-written, deserving books out there than all publishers put together can possibly publish.

But there’s a flip side of my answer to that question as well. Years ago, long before anyone dreamed of digital publishing, I asked my boss a variation of that question: “Do you worry about turning down a best seller?”

She shook her head. “If you work in this business long enough, you will. I once turned down the picture book version of Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer. But you can’t worry about it, or it’ll drive you crazy. Focus on publishing the best books you can with the goals of your publisher in mind. God will take care of the rest.”

It’s the nature of the beast: Sooner or later, every editor, every publisher, turns down a book that goes on to be the next The Shack. Self-publishing opportunities do not make this any more or less true.

So…is this why so many agencies are starting their own lines?

1) Now…a caveat. To truly know why any one agency is starting to publish a line of books, you’d have to ask them. I’m speculating, based on conversations I’ve had with several.

They, even more than publishers, are on the front line. Agents, as liaisons between authors and publishers, know both sides of the story. They know the limits of our lists and budgets. They understand the market and see well what’s selling where.  And they are, for the most part, sitting on dozens of excellent books that just can’t find a home with a traditional publisher.

They may be part of a genre that doesn’t move well in the stores, such as speculative or cozy mysteries. They may be “off-brand” novels of well-known authors. They may be literary works of art from someone who’s better known as a speaker or non-fiction author. Whatever the reason, they are homeless.

The agencies are uniquely positioned to see if there is a chance for such books to do well in a self-publishing environment. They also know what a struggle that means, and how hard an author will need to work to get the word out. But self-publishing is more of a "long tail" economic environment, much more than traditional publishing is at the moment. That means self-publishing gives some books at least a chance of finding a small market, when they would have had none before.

But it's not easy an "easy way out." According to an October 2012 Bowker report, there were more than 211,000 self-published books released in 2011. Even more in 2012. A few succeeded. A lot more…didn’t.

Being a writer is risky. So is being a publisher. It’s always been that way; the growth of self-publishing has increased those risks for both sides, but there will NEVER be a sure-fire way to succeed in this business. Some folks succeed with a special project; others through sheer determination and perseverance.

I’m biased. I prefer that latter path.

Permanence

This weekend I started unpacking my books. This news came as a surprise to some of my close friends, one of whom even expressed that this seemed soon for me, since I've only been in my new apartment, a duplex, since July 2011. Her comment?

"You've lived like you were in temporary lodgings since I've known you."

I've known her since 1998. Which is fairly recent among my close friends. Unlike my residences, my close friends (the people I talk to, eat with, confide in on a regular basis) are quite long term. Of the five I see/talk to several times a month, I met them in 1998, 1995, 1992, 1989, and 1973.

Lodging is a different story. I DO tend to live out of boxes and have for more than 20 years. Settling is hard for me, and I always seem to be on the verge of bolting for another location. In my 55 years, I've moved 14 times, including 3 times between 2006 and 2011. Eight years is the longest I've stayed anywhere. Even people outside my life have noted that I seem to have a restless spirit and a nomadic desire.

And to be honest, as much as I like where I am now, I know I won't be here long. Since I hope to work at least another 15 years, I expect to move at least twice more. Unpacking seems to be an unnecessary risk.

I've had slightly better luck with churches. I've only changed churches six times, but I've been a "patchwork Protestant" most of my life, with a slight detour into Catholicism in the 1980s. I have a healthy respect for most variations on the Christian faith, as long as they are sincerely held. Below is my "home church" - Forrest Chapel UMC in Hartselle, Alabama - which I attended from 1959-1967 (yes, I'm old).

So I've lived my life knowing that everything in this world is temporary. Nothing lasts forever.

Except faith. When my parents started taking me to Forrect Chapel, I was two. I gave my life to Christ at nine. At twelve, I wanted to be a nun because nothing sounded so wonderful to me as giving my life to Him. (My mother had to break the news that Methodists don't have nuns.) I left the Church when I was 18 - and the next decade went through some serious experimentation and refinement (I still have friends who are Wiccan). God let me wander, and wander I did.

But He never abandoned me, and when I returned to the faith, He was waiting, almost as if He said, "OK, you wandered and you learned. Now it's time to work and use that knowledge." I've pretty much been a "nun" for Him ever since, just not behind thick walls.

And the major thing I learned? If you want permanence in your life, don't look around. Look UP.

Whose Path of Choice? (Part Two)

Well, to continue from this blog post…

As the song in Avenue Q asks, “What do you do with a BA in English?” especially if you’re not going to teach. My first option was to go for a Master’s Degree.

Yeah, that didn’t last long.

Over the course of my life, I’ve discovered that when I push too hard and too long in my own direction, instead of God’s, He just bides His time until I hit a wall. Then I bounce around for awhile, looking like a dog who's caught a car he'd been chasing, until I realize which direction He wants me headed, at least for the time being.

A year into my master’s degree, I hit one that was big and hard. And it wasn’t the only one. Stubborn as I am, I kept trying to go MY way. I would not listen. MY way or no way. Stubbornness took root, and the next decade plus involved some of the roughest years of my life.

Don’t get me wrong. I had some good times; some great times. I advanced some in my career, but not much. Most days toddled along with the usual ups and downs. But the setbacks were huge. My marriage struggled. I finished my MA, but the job I'd finished it for disappeared overnight. I had Rachel, and all my dreams for a princess child shattered and had to be reformed. I lost a job, as did my husband. I stopped writing. I stopped editing. I stopped reading. I divorced.

I hit my knees and surrendered.

And the world suddenly turned on a new axis.

This is hard to explain to someone who’s not a believer. From the outside, I still struggled and had hard times. Financial and career valleys as well as mountain peaks. From the inside, however, the struggles were no longer against a wall. They were now obstacles on a new and open path. I stumbled. I skinned a few knees and palms. I twisted the occasional ankle. I praised and I sorrowed.

But hope and a clear direction had returned. And as I closed in on middle age, I discovered a new clarity on all that I’d been through.

I had been prepped. Every step along the way.

Remember that shotgun approach to education?

·         An interest in archaeology led me to take a class in Greek – which was instrumental in my getting a job with the Bible department of Thomas Nelson that salvaged me after my divorce.

·         A class in linguistics provided me with a background in how children acquire language and what they can learn in the womb – which helped me care for Rachel and find ways to help her progress and learn words.  

·         All that science-based education made me able to seek out freelance jobs in a variety of arenas when I was working from home (either by choice…or not). (Yeah, I’d always wanted to proofread HVAC educational materials, but, hey—they paid well.)

I could go on like this for days. Sometimes it seems as if everything I've been through has all led to what God wants me to do. Or, to look at it in another way, He turned it all for good.

And, trust me. If He can do it for me, He can do it for anyone. He can lead anyone to the mountain top.

Whose Path of Choice?

When my brother was in his pre-teens, he tried to blow up his bedroom. After that, my mother insisted all chemistry experiments be conducted outdoors. These experiments fascinated me as well, and I spent much of my childhood peering over his shoulder.

His initial miscalculation in the bedroom left an indelible stain on the ceiling. It was a light brown, shaped like a Rorschach inkblot gone wild, and refused to go away. My parents painted over it several times, but it slowly eked through the paint until it returned in its full color. This determination fascinated me. How did the paint cover at first, but not for long?

I loved science (still do). I wanted to be an astronaut. We had a built-in toy storage in our house, and my brother and I regularly dragged everything out of it and crawled inside. He learned to close us in by yanking the door suddenly and pulling away his fingers just before it slammed. We’d twist until we’d have our feet on the wall and our backs on the ground, like the real astronauts did. I wanted to see the stars from the stars.

I learned about chemistry from mixing vinegar and soda and sending a plastic rocket flying. I learned about physics from tagging along with my brother's rocket club...and trying to run down a slide board only to land on my face. (But I never gave up; I had a bit more luck a little later in life, as you can see in the picture.)

 

My brother encouraged me to study as much science and math as I could, and I took all four science and math classes (biology I and II, chemistry, and physics; algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry) in high school. In chemistry, I repeated the family history by trying to blow up the lab (by accidentally mixing two acids) and causing a class evacuation (by creating ammonia nitrate outside of a hood).

I also played five instruments, which blended well with the science. I was in band and chorus. I wanted to play music. I wanted adventure and travel. I wanted to be a doctor!

What? The writing? Oh, well, yes, I wrote all the time. I knew I was meant to write, even as a kid. But . . . no one but the famous people made a living at it. Right?

Then, when I was 18, I hit a wall. In the course of two years, I walked away from my science studies and my music. I put down all the instruments, and began to bounce willy-nilly through the university, taking everything from history and foreign languages to acting lessons and political theory. A class in linguistics changed my life (a subject for a later blog).

Only later did I realize that my writer’s brain had kicked into gear. I wanted to learn it all. Still do.

My shotgun approach to education befuddled my advisors and my parents. My mother was convinced I’d spend my life hanging out a drive-thru asking about French fries.  

But I forced myself to trust. I had to. I had to believe that God had the bigger picture in mind, and He wouldn’t let me starve.

Only later did I learn that God’s sense of timing is quite different from our own, and that He has a great sense of humor.

(More to come…)