Ok, so it was a joke.
I haven't written a novel called 'Man on a Galloping Horse' and I didn't receive that letter. Just to clear that up, if anyone was in any doubt.
I wrote that post on a whim in response to some of the feedback that I've received in the last few months. Of course it hasn't all been that extreme - and in fact, I'd welcome it if the advice was that specific in some cases! I just feel that this problem of agents suggesting major rewrites with no promise of representation, seems to be a common occurrence amongst new writers that I know. There's a lot of people bloggging about it, it does present a dilemma. What the hell do you do if you've received 3 completely different batches of advice? You can't make all the changes that everyone wants, it would be nonsensical.
These days, an agent really needs to fall in love with your book as it stands. From what I've gleaned, in years gone by an agent might be more willing to take a chance on someone who they feel writes well, while still having reservations about aspects of the original piece submitted. Now it seems like they want all the work done before they'll sign you up. I understand why this is perhaps a good idea; believe me, I get it. But it takes one hell of a lot of work and soul-searching to take a couple of the elements that the agent liked and basically start from scratch. I have literally had an agent turn round to me and say something along the lines of, 'I love the Harry Potter character, but I don't like the idea of him being a wizard.' So I'm left thinking, well...what the hell should I write? Because if he's not a wizard, then all that stuff that happens to him can't happen...and the whole thing changes completely.
I know the answer is that I have to put ego aside but also only make the changes that are true to my vision. I have to follow my instinct, listen to my heart, blah, blah. But I like my story as it stands! I really do. It's not perfect, I know it - it does need work, I'm not sure exactly what, but I suspect I just need to WRITE BETTER. If the agents are not buying some aspect of the book, it's because I'm not selling it well enough. You can't please all of the folks all of the time, but I'm obviously not quite ticking enough boxes with the folks that matter.
My husband read my last post and was all like, 'You can't post that!' - but sod it. I don't mean it to be a bitter and twisted thing. I meant to take the piss - yes, out of the agents but also out of myself - I've created this monster, this rollercoaster, and I can't handle it on my own. I need guidance! I have got a lot to learn and TRULY, I'm open to learning it, but there's so much confusion! If there was any kind of cross-over area which more than one person had said they didn't like, I'd know what to address, but there has been such mixed response. One agent's meat is another agent's poison...
So what to do? Sit on it! I'm not changing a bloody thing for now. There will be some soul-searching, some serious mulling, but not any revising...yet. I'm going to get the hell on with something else, keep submitting and take a fresh look in a few months time. It's the only way to go. I hope.
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4 comments:
I think this is absolutely the best idea. Leave it alone for a while and go back to it and suddenly all this really obvious things - that you can't possibly see now - will jump out at you.
You'll experience a renewed excitement for your work, at least that's what happened for me.
I think that's the right thing to do.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago...so much conflicting advice. When I DID gather the strength to re-write and re-submit, things had moved on and a big section of my story (email dating) was considered 'tired.' So was I!! I wish you lots of luck :o)
I can SO relate!
I've had:
- love the characters and the premise but hate the way you've written it
- love the premise, didn't warm to the characters enough (twice)
- love the way you've written it, don't like the premise
What's a girl to do?!
I think the answer is to plough on, trying all the agents out there, hoping you'll find one that does 'get it' but, if that doesn't happen, you need to pick and choose from the feedback you've had that rings the most true and rewrite from that. Tough I know.
I think this post, and your last, make some really important points for all aspiring writers. We are in a taste industry and it's all very subjective. There are many, many stories of successful authors who were turned down innumerable times before going on to become bestselling. I know I've written a novel that is already better than many published novels - but, as yet, it hasn't found an agent. And even almost every published book in the world could be improved in some way or another, so I, too, am trying to write better - and to keep faith with my book at the same time. Good luck.
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