In light of the fact that many of us are getting ready to go to conferences, or have just been to conferences, I thought I’d spend the next couple of blog posts on conferences.
Today I’d like to talk about what you hear, what you think you hear, and applying what you hear.
I love talking to writers and I love it even more when all of my appointment slots are filled at a conference. However, this also means I do a lot of talking over the course of a day. If you’ve ever condensed a lot of talking — important talking at that — into a period of time, you’ll know how intense and tiring it can be. Exciting and exhilarating, but also draining. For me, this means I unintentionally can be abrupt, too honest, not frank enough, and say things that don’t apply to every situation.
If I have ever offended you, let me know and give me a chance to make amends. Seriously. Email my assistant at ewilson@stevelaube.com and I’ll get back to you.
Otherwise, I’d like to talk about things I might say that don’t apply to every situation. Here’s a made-up example I hope will make my point clear (you can substitute the penguin for point-of-view or a specific genre or author platform if it helps understand the metaphor):
Lucinda Writer brings me a manuscript that includes a penguin named Rochester. For some reason, Rochester isn’t appealing and doesn’t add to the story. So I may say, “You know, I really don’t like Rochester. But try me with another story and let’s talk.”
Lucinda goes to her friend, Belinda Novelist, who also has an appointment with me, and out of kindness to her friend, says, “Whatever you do, don’t show Tamela your proposal with Winchester the Penguin because Tamela absolutely hates penguins.” This leaves Belinda wondering if she should make an appointment with Steve Laube instead (except for the rumor that he rejects everybody). Or if she should just go cry in a corner, because she really loves Winchester the Penguin.
But it could be that Winchester the Penguin is just what makes Belinda’s story sparkle. So the opinion I gave Lucinda didn’t apply to Belinda at all. If Belinda doesn’t meet with me, everyone loses.
My point? Don’t assume the advice an agent gives your friend applies to you. Talk to the agent yourself and find out.
Your turn:
What is the most scary part of approaching an agent?
Have you ever decided not to approach an agent because of something you heard? Did this post help you reconsider?
Have you approached an agent based on something you heard in particular?
Fun with First Lines in a Novel
The most scary part? By the time I come to an agent, I’ve spent months, if not years working on a story. Plus I’ve prepared my pitch and synopsis. So much of my life is invested in what I’m about to present you, and you only have 15 minutes to consider what I’m sharing. I handing you my hopes and dreams, and to be cliche, my blood, sweat, and tears. And then it’s over.
When I met you last year, I pitched my story. You were honest, and kind, and told me you didn’t think you could sell it. AND you asked if I had another story. Thank goodness I did. So I pitched it, and you were interested.
Despite my nervousness, I left our interview with hope and joy. I can’t imagine you offending anybody.
Thanks for blogging on conferences. It’s such a crucial time, and I need all of the help I can get.
The scariest moment is the first one, when my carefully-worded pitch flees my brain and I start off, “Well, it’s about this guy who… ” I found you easy to talk to once I calmed down. You focused on our conversation, never drifting. Though you had a terrible sore throat, you gave that fifteen minutes your all.
Great thoughts, Tamela. Approaching an agent is a bit nerve-wracking. it’s hard not to put all my hopes into that 15 minutes. That being said, I think the hardest part is sharing my pitch naturally. I tend to forget it if I don’t memorize it, and when I share what I’ve memorized, it comes across stilted rather than naturally. Sigh. It all ties in with wanting to make a great first impression. Once I’m past the pitch, I can relax and just flow with the meeting. 🙂
Approaching an agent is always scary. Always.
In a field where there is more work to do then hours in the day agents tend to give answers that we not only didn’t want to hear but the delivery of said answer was awful.
I’m writing a Non-Fiction book; I am working now on how I will deal with being told “no” and not taking it personally. The horror stories I’ve read online only add to the stress of the author.
If an agent could think “if this were my book how would I want to be reproached about changes”, it might make things easier on both parties. I would hope a person pro-claiming faith would pray about the books they should be taking and how to gently let a person down otherwise.
That being said…. If we were all perfect I wouldn’t really have a story to tell; now would I? 🙂
Thank you all for sharing. I have enjoyed your comments. 🙂
Editors or agents…make me tongue tied. I’m so glad I approached you by letter because of a recommendation from another agent, and because everyone said how nice you are. I most likely would have sounded like a babbling brook going nowhere if I had talked with you in person.
Martha, I’m so glad wrote that letter! 🙂
I meant — I’m so glad YOU wrote that letter!
Ummm. It’s not a rumor. Steve DOES reject everybody. Lol.
Tamela, such a creative example. I’ve heard you say before how much you love to meet with writers and I was so looking forward to meeting you at ACFW in September, but my daughter needs braces. There goes the conference money! I can imagine how tiring it is to meet with lots of people in such a short time, but I can tell from your posts you’ve got the gift of encouragement. I’ll look forward to your conference posts and hopefully get to meet you someday.
Sondra, I understand all about braces. 😀
You can always be like Martha and approach me by letter as well. I do hope we can meet soon.
Thanks, Tamela. I’ll probably do that in a few months. I know fall is busy for you. Is there a less busy time that might be good for me to send a letter?
Sondra, it’s crazy here most of the time so the best time is when you feel you are ready and your work is the best it can be.