Query Letters
Oh, so hard to write. I’ve a lot to learn about selling myself and my story. The one-page query that took me five hours to complete was, as it turns out, vague and fairly unimpressive. My classmates and instructor made wonderful observations, particularly about my confusing “hook” and lack of specific selling points. I am the reader and writer that firmly believes any story is worth reading if the character is engaging, and my query didn’t do anything to bring out my characters or their lives! It was embarrassing, but a lesson well-learned.
Strangely enough, the Chapter One re-write that I had to do came easier to me today than the query letter had. Of course, I may go over it tomorrow with fresh eyes and realize I churned out a bunch of crap, but I doubt it. That’s not arrogance. I’m not saying I’ll never need to edit another line again. It’s just that the story is in me, part of me. I’ve been working on it for so long, and have practiced so many methods, that I simply write better than I did two years ago when I started taking my first courses at UCLA.
I thought I would struggle with this final class, but as it goes on, I realize that it’s only a struggle if I’m not enjoying myself. I can say with my whole heart that I’m enjoying every bit of it. The thinking, the discussions, the reading, the editing, and most of all, the writing.
I love my job! Can’t wait until I get paid to do it!
Locked Down
Yep, that’s how I feel! We’ve booked the banquet hall. Non-refundable deposit. We’ve booked our honeymoon. Possibly non-refundable deposit depending on the time. Now I guess I have to go through with the whole thing of marrying this guy…
I think I’ve caught the cold that’s been floating around because I can barely keep my eyes open. I can’t focus at all on schoolwork and I have to re-write my first chapter by Tuesday. At least I’ve done all my required reading and written my first query letter (it was difficult).
Umbrella Anyone?
It’s been kind of wet lately.
My final writing class at UCLA Writers’ Program has begun and it’s a doozy. I had a little panic attack after reading the syllabus a couple of days ago, but I’m better now. There’s much reading and much writing to be done. I actually *gasp* have to think beyond finishing my novel! Like, writing query letters to agents and all that… I sort of thought I could ignore all that until I actually finished, but then, that’s just me being lazy.
My friend made cute little scarves for my two mini-bears. See the action below:
