Like a broken record
1 Sep 2008 12:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wayfaringwordhackI don't know how many of you follow Query Shark (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-syndicated.gif)
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.
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.
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no subject
Date: 2 Sep 2008 02:27 pm (UTC)Anyhow, Janet Reid (the agent behind QS) doesn't take fantasy, so she's not up on the multi-POV thing we genre writers indulge in. However, I think her point about making sure each voice is superb is a valid one, especially if you are going to call your voices "unique."