Thanks to Katie Powner for her question on my May 25, 2016 blog, which sparked this blog.
There have been many changes in publishing over the last few years. In fact, it seems we just get used to some element of publishing, and wham! It’s turned on its head. But there is something that hasn’t changed. Something I don’t think will ever change. At least, I pray it won’t.
Story trumps all.
Oh, I know, there are a lot of well-written manuscripts out there that aren’t finding traditional publishing homes. But I’m not talking about manuscripts that are “well written.” When I say “Story trumps all,” I’m talking about STORY. You know, the story, be it fiction or nonfiction, that’s so powerful, that so resonates with you as you read, that you can’t put it down. You HAVE to keep devouring the words on the page.
The STORY that unfolds, launching truths that strike so close to home that you find yourself weeping. Laughing. Convicted. And above all, changed.
Characters that live on in our hearts and minds. Experiences that tell us, in ways we’ve never heard it before, that we’re not alone. Plots that keep us on the edge of our seats, our hearts pounding as we agonize, wondering if what we hope will happen will really happen. Insights that shatter our preconceived ideologies. You know…
STORY.
You’ve read books with STORY. You’ve been transported and transformed by them. Challenged and Changed. And all it takes is one or two words from those books to stop us in the here and now and plunge us deep into the STORY again…
“Jean Louise, stand up…”
“When you go after honey with a balloon, the great thing is to not let the bees know you’re coming.”
“It was so quiet, one of the killers would later say, you could almost hear the sound of ice rattling…”
“One ring to rule them all…”
“In the predawn darkness of August 26, 1929, in the back bedroom of a small house…”
“Oh, children, catch me if you can!”
“Trouble with mice is you always kill ‘em.”
“I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.”
“Marley was dead.”
“We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus…”
“The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone.”
So, what does all this have to do with the best time to submit with an agent. Well…everything. Because the best time to submit to an agent doesn’t have anything to do with the calendar. Oh, it used to, back in the day. But now, with the internet, agents can hop onto their email and take a quick look at things anytime they want—even, heaven forbid, at Christmas. No, the best time to submit to an agent isn’t about the calendar. It’s about your manuscript. And the power of your STORY.
When should you submit?
When you’ve taken your manuscript from story to STORY.
When your STORY engages and moves and transports people.
When you read your STORY and sit back, heart pounding as you wonder…Did I really write that?
Submit when the book is ready. Really and truly ready. Ready to move and change people. Ready to move and change the agents who will ready it.
That, my friends, is the best—and only—time to submit to an agent.
(Book quotes are from the following STORIES that impacted me: To Kill a Mockingbird; The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh; Helter Skelter; The Hobbit; Unbreakable; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Of Mice and Men; Out of Africa; The Christmas Carol; My Utmost for His Highest; The Last Unicorn)
Confusing Hindsight with Wisdom
Thank you, very helpful!
Oh, my goodness. Your blog post moved me because that’s exactly why I read. I want to be transported. Books have taught me so much, revealing truths about myself that I would never have been able to see on my own. Humbling and inspiring all at once.
Thanks for taking us back to basic story.
I always thought the best time to submit to an agent is at lunch during a conference. You sit there and do not let the agent eat or leave until he or she has agreed to represent you.
As far as STORY, I’m glad you put it this way: Characters that live on in our hearts and minds. … Plots that keep us on the edge of our seats,,, These are craft issues, which includes structure, because that’s what helps the writer get the STORY in their hearts onto the page so that the reader connects with it. It doesn’t matter if the author feels it if the reader is confused or frustrated by what’s unfolding.
The second best place to pitch an agent is the restroom.
James, your comments in the first and last paragraphs reminded me of the stalker video that was on this blog a couple of weeks ago. Did you catch it? It was definitely worthwhile and would be great to watch, if you have the time.
Best,
Sheri
Be careful, James, some may take you literally. 😉
Jim, you are so…
Funny.
Yeah. That’s what I was going to say.
Absolutely. STORY is powerful. I find myself skimming when a book’s content fails to sing. We don’t want our literary offerings to become casualties because we didn’t take it to the next level. I remember my first manuscript, a work I labored over during every spare minute. A writing coach told me it was the work of an amateur when I consulted her for advice as to the next step. I was deflated. But she was right. I had a lot to learn. Your point is well taken.
Karen, thank you for addressing my question and thank you for bringing the issue back to the most important thing: the story. It’s easy to get caught up in other aspects of the writing world and obsess over trying to get everything “just right,” but at the end of the day none of that other stuff matters without a good story.
Karen, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Your point about moving your story from story to STORY and how then, and only then, it is ready to be submitted to an agent really spoke to my heart. I appreciate the advice!
Best,
Sheri
I really liked this blog, Karen. Thank you. It feels a bit freeing to know that maybe not every technical aspect of my writing is perfect, but it explains what I am doing right. My books are pretty-highly rated on Amazon and I’ve often wondered why. Obviously, it’s a God-thing this gift He has given me. Thanks for helping me let go of some of the self-doubt.
Karen, it’s a piece of cake to get from story to STORY. You just hit the caps lock key, and you’re there!
Thanks, Karen. Good reminder of why we write in the first place. Isn’t it to take people to that place of healing, wonder or “aha” moments? If not, maybe we write for ourselves.
That…says it all.
“Submit when the book is ready. Really and truly ready. Ready to move and change people. Ready to move and change the agents who will read it.”
Thank you for this wisdom, Karen Ball. I’ve got a better picture of my goal. God bless.
Interesting that I’m reading this now. I’ve been submitting a manuscript to agents over the past year. However, within the past few months a “life” situation came up and I had to go back and re-write part of a chapter. When I had completed it I had a sense of finality. The content of your blog wasn’t exactly what I was expecting from the title, but it is great advice!