From the past
few weeks I have been lurking on and off on a site where writers share their query experience, and information about which
agents reply fast and what is the response time from the other agents. This is
all a part of my research to make a list of agents for my current
work-in-progress. I want to target those agents who rep my genre and who reply.
The writers (most of them don’t go by their own names,
they either have an avatar or a funny sounding name with no pictures) share their
query feedback. I have figured out that there is something called a form
rejection which many agents send. Then there are agents who say that if we don’t
reply within a certain period of time consider it a pass.
And then there are a few agents who personalize their
rejections by mentioning “Dear so and so” and also mention the name of the
manuscript and the main character and in a few sentences let the writer know
what worked for them in the sample pages. I have only admiration for such
agents who take the time and effort to give suggestions.
It’s this point that has me reading wide-eyed. Every
manuscript amasses a wide range of feedback, each bit contrary with what
another has said.
If we writers were to follow every bit of advice, then
I think we would be having atleast half a dozen drafts of each of our
manuscripts. I wonder how those writers cope with so much contrary feedback. If
one agent has liked the setting, the other one says “I wasn’t taken in by the
voice,” then the third one says “I didn’t feel a connection with the main
character” and the fourth one says “I didn’t fall in love with the story.”
OMG, I went nuts reading all the suggestions and
advice. I am wondering whether I can handle all this. I am seriously rethinking
whether I even want to put myself through all this. Rejections are bad enough,
but when it comes with an avalanche of feedback that can put a writer in a
puddle of confusion, its scary. At the back of my mind there are doubts about how much is true and how much is because a disgruntled writer cannot accept rejection?
I read somewhere that critiques are right when they tell us something is wrong. But they are inaccurate when they try to tell what exactly is wrong!
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Rajesh, I am okay with my critique partner telling me what exactly is wrong with my manuscript! Infact, that helps me tackle the revisions.
DeleteI've only had this experience in getting critiques from editors at SCBWI conferences. I think there is a big element of subjectivity in all agent and editor decisions on representing an author or buying a book just like readers are subjective in their dislikes and likes. Don't let this stop you from querying. Just take any feedback with a grain of salt and follow what you think would be best for your story.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I am going to do exactly that, take the criticism with a grain of salt. I agree about the feedbacks being very subjective.
DeleteI never had agents give me advice about my manuscript, just form rejections. If they had given me advice, I would have thought about it and then decided whether it was valid.
ReplyDeleteRichard, only 3 to 4 agents have given me feedback, the rest have just sent form rejections. But the ones who gave feedback were very useful, their feedback helped me revise and polish my manuscript.
DeleteThat's why it's so subjective.
ReplyDeleteI'd look more to responses that match. If you get ten, and four say the same thing, that's a good start. You also have to consider which agents you want to work with and cater to their tastes.
Alex, agreed about the subjective part. It all boils down to individual tastes. This time when I query I will do more research and check the kind of books the agent represents.
DeleteGood morning, Rachna! My new policy is to let a manuscript sit for a long time after it has been through the critique process, then do my revisions and self-editing based on my own preferences and knowledge of good writing. When I start submissions, I will just accept that every editor and/or agent will see something different and if they reject the story, it's based on their personal preferences. The only feedback I worry about and work with is the feedback I receive from an editor after I have a signed contract. If I were to decide to self-publish, I would hire an editor who has a good reputation and solid references from writers who write in my genre. If I obsess over conflicting feedback, I will lose my mind (and I would prefer to keep it where it is). :D
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, I am with you where the only feedback I would worry about is the feedback from an editor after I have signed a contract. If we were to revise our manuscripts after every rejection, we would be revising just one manuscript all the time and not writing anything new. Like you I have decided to keep my mind where it should be :)
DeleteI agree with Alex. The same is true with critique groups. I sort through all the comments. If some of them are similar, that means a change would be beneficial. If there's disagreement, that means (to me) that it's my call, and I decide which comments fit, then get to work again. I do think that many manuscripts have to be revised more times that writers would wish, but each revision makes a story strong. Half a dozen drafts doesn't sound unreasonable, if you want a manuscript that is your best.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, sometimes even critique groups have conflicting feedback, in that scenario its the writer's call on whether something should be changed or not. My manuscript has already undergone half a dozen drafts.
DeleteForm rejections happen all the time. And I've had no response from many. The thing is, what these writers are saying the agents suggested as fixes for their manuscript may not apply to yours at all. You never know what they'll say until you query them. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteForm rejections happen all the time. And I've had no response from many. The thing is, what these writers are saying the agents suggested as fixes for their manuscript may not apply to yours at all. You never know what they'll say until you query them. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLike Alex said, it's so subjective. Putting ourselves out there is tough. It helps me to remember that our work "Won't be everyone's cup of tea" (as author Jody Hedlund once said). I try and take it all in a balance and go with my heart too. Wishing you all the best as you move ahead. :)
ReplyDeleteI always hand my writing off to at least three people. Points they all make NEED to be changed. Points two of them make are definitely worth heavy consideration. Points only one person makes are completely up to my discretion...unless that person is my editor...or publisher. =)
ReplyDeleteIt can make you crazy that's for sure. Everything is subjective. The rule of thumb, I've felt to be helpful is one person's opinion, is just that. If more than one person says the same thing, maybe its worth reworking.
ReplyDeleteIt is all very subjective. I think you have to consider each piece of feedback and use your own judgment. Even though agents hear many of the same things from publishers, they also can have personal opinions and even be (gasp!) WRONG sometimes!
ReplyDeleteAm guilty of not giving the feedback,Rachna:) just go with own conviction is my motto don't know if it is right!
ReplyDelete