Like a broken record

[wayfaringwordhack]

I don't know how many of you follow Query Shark (query_shark ), but yesterday she said something that made me sit up straight and think "uh oh."

First a quote:

The Sharked: My completed 60,000 word manuscript, NODDING PINES, is a work of literary fiction that tells the story of a broken family through the three unique voices that comprise it.

The Shark: Writing three unique voices is like going to the Writing Olympics. Just cause you look good in a Speedo doesn't make you Michael Phelps. When someone offers me a novel in three voices I cringe. Then the first, actually the ONLY, thing I do is watch how they use language. If the query letter is over written and pedantic, I have zero confidence you are the Michael Phelps of the Shark Pool.

First sign that elevates an eyebrow: that comprise it. (you don't actually need those words for a complete thought.) If you're writing three voices, you'd better have a very keen eye for extra words.

As all you Bobs know, I'm currently working on a trilogy. Told from 5 different POVs. And I have a self-confessed problem with voice.

::is in deep...water:: But then, I already knew that. ;-) Come on in, y'all; the...water's fine.

Comments

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

There are so many things wrong with that Query Shark entry I don't know where to start, other than that from people like this come Dan Brown. Gah...

Write what feels right to you. Do your very best to make it the best work you can. Don't even consider dumbing down your work because some twit with a blog and no taste wants the world to be uniform and bland.

[pjthompson]

What Jaime said! You only have a problem with voice if it doesn't work. If it works, it's your voice. Be proud! :-)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

If it doesn't work, who do I get to blame it on? >;-}

[pjthompson]

Fred.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

::notes name; puts it somewhere safe::

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I think it's odd how when I worry about one thing--in this case voice (or deep POV as I've mentioned before) and how to pull it off--the universe keeps giving me little send-ups that remind me of the toughness of the challenge.

Just when I tell myself, "Sit back; take it easy," I get jerked back to the reality that, for me, there isn't much that is easy about it. :P