Lyn Cote on How to Please an Editor
Join us here between 21 and 25 May to hear Lyn’s words of wisdom on how to please an editor.
Lyn Cote’s first Love Inspired was published in 1998. Since then she has worked with on over 20 books with 18 editors at 5 houses. And can still walk and talk at the same time! And since she is contracted through 2010, she must have figured out how to please an editor or many editors!
Get your questions ready!
Tell Lyn to get her fingers ready, I just notified the MySpace crew. Bwwwwhahahahaha
Ummmm, posting it there WAS a good idea, wasn’t it??
Monica
Lyn:
I’m an unpub writer, so I’m asking forgiveness in advance if this is a ditzy question. Is pleasing an editor the same as or different from pleasing an agent? If one can’t get an agent, how does one hope to please an editor?
Hi Christa,
To answer your question, no editors and agents are looking for the same things–a book that will appeal to a lot of readers who will pay cash money to buy it!
Lyn
Now to begin! I think my material is a little different than the usual workshops about catching the eye of an edtior (or agent). I don’t think I really understood this stuff until I had sold around 3 books. So some of you may already be doing these things, but not realize it.
I think it’s always good to figure out what you’re doing right so you can do it again on purpose not by accident. Anyway, some of you will not understand all of this, but save the notes and go over them every time you’re getting ready to submit. I’m just telling you what I do. And I’ve sold over 20 books in 10 years and was a RITA finalist last year. So it must be working!!!
Now I’m trying to write 2 chapters this week amidst getting ready for weekend company, so I’ll be popping in and out and I’ve suggested that participants who post the exercises, ask other participants to respond to each other. I want you all to have the opportunity to get A LOT OF INFO and FEEDBACK this week.
SO HERE WE GO!
Tips for Pleasing an Editor—Lyn Cote
1-Understand an editor’s life and priorities– Do you realize every editor at Harlequin is responsible for around 35 authors? They do not each have a secretary. All the editors in one line share one editorial assistant. Editors are responsible for:
• reading proposals from their authors
• reading submitted and contracted manuscripts from their authors
• going through all the stages that are involved the production of a finished novel: revisions, line edits, copy edits, and galley proofs (or AAs)
• Writing back cover blurb
• collecting art information for the cover and following the cover art production schedule
• attending meetings, conferences and keeping their desks neat
• and their very last priority, reading through their slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts.
As you can see, the life of an editor is packed with details and a multitude of deadlines for many authors. Now if you are going to send a person this busy something to read, what do you think she would be most likely to read first:
• an envelope with the query letter?
• a thin manila envelope?
• a very thick Priority Mail envelope that shouts long and unsolicited manuscript?
Well if it were me, an editor with a whole lot of things to do and very little extra time at my desk, I’d choose the envelope with the query letter. Wouldn’t you?
So if you want a quick answer as to whether the editor’s interested in your project, just send a query and the first page of your manuscript or just the premise of your proposal. That is all she really needs to see. My second choice would be the thin manila envelope, containing the query letter, the first page of my proposal, and the first scene of my manuscript. That’s all an editor really needs to see to decide if she wants to read your whole manuscript.
Now if you prefer to send the whole manuscript to the slush pile, that is permissible. But you will wait a lot longer, months longer, to receive an answer.
AND believe me, if you don’t catch an editor’s attention within the first three pages or the first scene, you will not hear good news from her. So sending more is really counterproductive.
You need to send the right stuff to the right person in the right way to meet with success. That is what I am going to be teaching you in this workshop.
2-Craft a proposal that has what the editor is looking for
Immediate interest-something’s happening! who, what, when, where, how, why
For teaching purposes, I am going to start with the first few pages of my historical DORRITT first in my “Texas Star of Destiny” series for Avon Inspire which I will turn in later this year. It will debut in October 2008.
Chapter One
“Belle Vista Plantation (WHERE)
New Orleans, August 1821 (WHEN)
“You wish to marry well? By that, Jewell, you mean marry a wealthy man?” Dorritt Mott sat in her stepfather’s lavish parlor, the heavy afternoon heat weighing her down. (WHO, WHERE, WHAT, HOW)
“There can be no other meaning, sister.” Fanning herself, her younger half-sister took another promenade around the parlor. (WHO, WHERE, WHAT, HOW)
Dorritt ignored her mother’s shocked disapproval. She sensed that today was the climax of months of planning by her stepfather.” (WHO, WHY)
I’ve included a five W’s in parentheses. And I’ve chosen to begin with dialogue, I hope provocative dialogue, character -revealing dialogue—something crucial is happening in that stifling parlor. WHERE, WHEN and WHO are easy to locate.
To me, HOW deals with the condition of the characters and the setting—i.e., the heat, their emotion and activity.
The WHY is what is the underlying tension, something’s about to change, something’s in question, something’s pending.
Check your first paragraph or two and make certain that they always include these 5 W’s. AND NOTHING MORE!
Beginning writers ALWAYS tell the reader TOO MUCH.
The rule is: Only give the reader, especially an editor, the 5 W’s and keep them guessing!
DEATH TO BACKSTORY IN CHAPTER ONE!
Exercise: If you want to post your first paragraph or two (NO MORE) marked with the Five W’s and invite comments from other participants, please feel free to do that today, but ONLY MONDAY.
I will skim and pick out at least ONE which is a good example. But post yours and ask for comments, you might get some very good feedback from the other authors here.
Tomorrow we launch into the first two ESSENTIALS: Voice and How to Find and Develop Yours.
SECRETS
December 1942
Washington D.C.
My only siblings’s death brings me to this place. Snow falls on my eyelashes in large, cottony flakes and adds to the fresh layer where I stand on a small bluff overlooking the Potomac River. Below is spread a magnificent view of the great city with its beautiful buildings and solemn monuments. The veil on my hat flutters in my face and the naked skin between the bottom of my mink coat and the top of my high-heeled rubbers grows goosebums. Below me the E Street Complex, wartime headquarters of the Office of Strategic Services, the OSS, urges me forward.
General William J. Donovan sent me, Gloria Winthop, a personal request to join the shadowy patriots who dare accept duty behind enemy lines. Spies.
Hi Anne,
Did you forget to mark your 5 W’s?
Lyn
Hi!
I’m not sure if I marked this right but here goes:
The sound of shattering glass broke the stillness of the moonlit forest (WHERE), startling sleeping birds into flight and scattering grazing deer in the meadow below. As the last echo faded, Kitty McGuire (WHO) studied the hole she’d smashed in the back door of the mountain cabin. (WHY? WHAT)
Tree branches rustled. A twig snapped. She whirled, sweeping the flashlight beam into the dark woods.(HOW) Nothing stirred for a moment. Then an owl lifted to the air, its wings silhouetted against the full moon.(WHEN WHAT?) Kitty smiled (HOW) as the bird flew toward the distant, majestic Sierra Mountain range. (WHERE)
Lyn,
I’m new at this, and I don’t know what all the XHTML tags mean. I hope this post comes through legibly. Cyberspace often dislikes me. I’m looking forward to learning a lot. Thanks. Diane
THE PAWN
Anita Jones (WHO) bolted out of the elevator into the deserted underground parking garage. (WHERE) She paused only a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Her footsteps echoed through the shadowy cavern as she sprinted down the row of empty parking spaces to her Camry. Safely locked inside, she drew a deep breath and laid the two precious envelopes (WHAT) on the passenger seat. Her trembling hand turned the key in the ignition. (HOW)
The gridlock of Friday night (WHEN) traffic in downtown San Diego (WHERE) surrounded her. Anita glanced at her watch and debated whether she dare take the time to run by the mailbox as planned. (WHY) She cursed her boss, Adam Johnson, for keeping her at work for two extra hours. (WHY) She crept along Broadway, slamming her hand against the steering wheel each time the traffic forced her to an abrupt stop. (HOW)
I’m late getting in on this, but I think it’s something I need. Here’s mine:
“At least your sister has a husband. If you don’t lose some weight(how), you’ll be an old maid for sure.(what) Are you listening to me?” Lacey Chandler’s(who)mother’s words sliced through her like splintered wood in a tornado.(why)
“I’ve got to go, Mom. My other line is ringing.” Lacey hung up before she received any more pearls of her mother’s wisdom.
Any advise will be appreciated.
It’s around 4:30 pm my time. Since we’re just having a cozy group so far. I’ll comment in the morning on the first 5 who’ve posted. And then post Lesson 2.
See you Tomorrow!
BTW, most of you are writing really well!
Lyn
I think everyone’s openings are good. You all hooked me right from the start. Here’s mine from my current WIP, The Secret Ingredient.
ONE
Hollywood (WHERE)
Tuesday afternoon (WHEN)
“The secret ingredient to good food and a good life is?” Katelynn (WHO) shifted her gaze from Camera One to the audience. (WHERE AND WHAT)
“Love!(WHAT)” the female group responded in unison, their voices full of anticipation.
Kate smiled, full teeth (HOW), back to Camera One. I’m such a hypocrite (WHO), preaching love (WHAT)when my world is devoid of it (WHY). “That’s right!” she answered her fans.
Sorry, Lyn, I got in after your last post. You don’t have to comment on mine, but if anyone else would like to, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks!
Well, I was about to post mine and realized it’s really lacking! So instead of posting, I’m going to work on it.
Missy
Hi ladies,
I’ve read the first five and I must say you all show talent. Anne, I was wondering why you used “sibling” instead of brother or sister.
Kelly Ann–Interesting opening and you did your 5 W’s fine.
Diane–A GOOD BEGINNInG. Your third sentence needs to be rearranged. The footsteps can’t be heard until the action takes place. I have an old article about dynamic sentence structure. If you’d like a copy, go to my website (www.LynCote.net) and send me an email and I’ll send it to you. (Same for the rest of you.)
Janet Kay–you didn’t give a where, we need that and your sentence starting with your heroine’s name is problematic. Hang with me and I have a way to find and fix awkward constructions. Otherwise, you’ve captured authentic dialogue well.
And Misty–you’re #5–Good opening and with all 5 W’s but there is something you need to change–I’ll reference it when we come to that lesson.
I’m so happy you’ve all dropped in and I’ll do my best to help you. Did everyone get the idea that shorter is better when submitting? Did I convince you?
And BTW, I don’t know anything about XHTM either, so you’re all just going to get straight type.
I think we’re off to a good start!! Did any of you want comments from the other participants? You need to add that at the end or beginning. Remember several heads are better than one! Don’t be shy.
I’ll submit this comment and then post lesson two.
Lyn
ESSENTIALS:
Voice
In Dianne Castell’s “Up Close and Personal” from March 2007 RWR featuring a Audrey LaFehr of Kensington Publishing: (on page 37) and I quote:
“Question
What aspects of a new writer’s work really catch your eye? I know it’s been said a million times before, but it is the voice that catches my eye or ear if you well. It’s a voice that intrigues me and appeals to me, a voice I want to listen to from the start, and more and more as the pages go on. It’s a voice that’s appropriate to the genre and matches the type of story being told, whether that’s a taut and weighty thriller, a soft and lyrical literary novel, fun and sassy contemporary fiction, or an intense and emotional romance. It’s a consistent and insistent voice, where you feel the author’s intention quite clearly and powerfully, but you don’t “see” the author herself behind that narrative voice. Sorry voice is intangible and very hard to describe. I did my best!”
Frankly I think she did a very good job. Voice is the very hardest thing to learn or distinguish for the new writer because it’s just developing.
The only way you develop your voice is by writing A LOT. And sometimes we confuse it with a character voice, two very different things. My suggestions:
• Keep a journal and periodically read aloud from it. Write about your life, your characters, what you are trying to write, etc.
• Try to decide which genre or sub genre reflects or correlates to your natural voice. I write in three sub genres of inspirational novels: romance, romantic suspense, and historical saga. Each one of them is written in my voice for that sub genre. But evidently, my voice is strongest in the last one, historical sagas.
I realized this due to contests. Occasionally, one of my contemporary novels will final in a contest. But only my historicals rise to place in many contests and my 1996 Golden Heart finalist manuscript was historical and my first RITA nomination was with my historical CHLOE in 2006.
So you need to ask yourself what you want to write the most, and enjoy writing most, and what receives the most positive response from readers and contest judges.
For nine years, I was unable to sell anything to anyone in NYC. It took Wendy McCurdy. Senior Editor at Bantam, in 1994 to tell me at a conference that I was writing for the inspirational market. She could hear it, but I was clueless! As soon as I investigated and changed markets, I sold. That’s how important voice is.
Exercise for finding your voice–Rewrite your first chapter in first person. This will bring out your voice and your characters’ distinctive voices.
The story will suddenly become much more personal, much more yours. It will also show up any Point of View errors and clumsy constructions.
Today, why don’t you try writing at least the first page of your manuscript in first person and when you’re happy with it, post it here and at the end of it, give your genre and subgenre, i.e.., “Secular romance, romantic suspense.”
(Of course, this is just an exercise. Third person subjective is the POV of choice today. But perhaps a few of you may find your voice is 1st Person. That is the Voice of a few authors.)
And ask the other participants:
• Is my voice distinctive?
• Does my voice fit what I am writing?
• Is my sub genre clear from my first page? And do the same for them. BUT JUST FOR TUESDAY!
Again I will skim the posts and choose one as a good example. But you should be able to get some valuable feedback by posting. Tomorrow we will discuss two more in ESSENTIALS, emotion and hooks.
Thank you, Lyn, for the personal feedback. I’ve changed the first page of my WIP to first person…always a favorite of mine. Looking forward to reading everyone else’s.
ONE
Hollywood
Tuesday afternoon
“The secret ingredient to good food and a good life is?” I shifted my gaze from Camera One to the audience.
“Love!” the female group responded in unison, their voices full of anticipation.
I smiled, full teeth, back to Camera One. I’m such a hypocrite, preaching love when my world is devoid of it. “That’s right!”
The stage manager was counting me out. “Until next time,” I said, raising a forkful of today’s recipe, Beg Me Baby Brownie, and saluting my audience, “I’m Katelynn Karr. Join me tomorrow on The Secret Ingredient as I continue my Devilish Deserts series with Sin for Six Soufflé.”
Applause filled the set. The audience didn’t need the lighted prompt above their heads to spur their enthusiastic reaction and that made my camera smile turn real. My fans are the most genuine on Earth, and I enjoy every show with them.
On the stage manager’s cue I turned toward Camera Three so it could catch my reaction as I put the bite of brownie in my mouth. I closed my eyes and sighed, suggesting the taste was as close to heaven as you could get. In my humble opinion, it was. I’d spent long, lonely hours of research and prep perfecting this brownie recipe and the result was I couldn’t snap my favorite pair of jeans. I’d tested these brownies on countless friends and the crew of my television series looking for just the right mix of chocolate, coffee, cream and cardamom. It had been worth every minute, every failed batch, even, God help me, the extra inch on my hips.
Genre: romance
subgenre: romantic comedy
I welcome everybody’s comments regarding my voice or anything else. Thank you,
Misty
THE PAWN
I bolted out of the elevator into the deserted underground parking garage. I paused only a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. With my footsteps echoing through the shadowy cavern, I sprinted down the row of empty parking spaces to my Camry. Safely locked inside, I drew a deep breath and laid the two precious envelopes on the passenger seat. My trembling hand turned the key in the ignition.
The gridlock of Friday night traffic in downtown San Diego surrounded me. I glanced at my watch and debated whether I dare take the time to run by the mailbox as planned. I cursed my boss, Adam Johnson, for keeping me at work for two extra hours. I crept along Broadway, slamming my hand against the steering wheel each time the traffic forced me to an abrupt stop.
After several delays, I sped north on Interstate 5. When I exited at Via de la Valle, my watch read 8:00 P.M. I exhaled sharply, realizing I was already late for the meeting.
“Whoa,” I exclaimed, stopping just inches from the car bumper in front of me. I turned right and joined the traffic crawling through the commercial area. “I can tell I’m going to hit every damn red light,” I muttered, pushing harder on the brakes to stop.
Only one other vehicle turned east with me onto Del Dios Highway. The unlit, two-lane road seemed to leave urban frenzy behind as it wound around the rocky hillsides leading to Lake Hodges and to the lakeside hamlet of Del Dios where I lived.
I raced along the dark, serpentine road. I squinted against the glare of the headlights reflecting back at me from the rearview mirror. That poor soul must be in a hurry also. I glanced again at the vehicle following too closely behind me, and accelerated.
Flying around the hill toward the lake, I tapped the brake as I approached the sharp curve near the Lake Hodges dam. The pedal sank with no effect on the speeding car.
Shocked, I stomped on the brake. Still nothing.
My heart rate spiked.
The curve!
My white-knuckled fists jerked the wheel hard to the left, away from the edge. I barreled toward the granite hillside on the opposite side of the road.
My foot pounded the useless pedal to the floor.
I wrenched the steering wheel back to the right. The car careened across the road.
I screamed as the Camry catapulted over the edge. My panic-stricken cry died instantly when the car crashed into the huge boulders below.
The explosion shattered the silence of the night.
Genre: Romance
Sub-genre: romantic suspense
Comments from everyone are welcome.
Diane G.
Wow! Diane and Misty,
You two are writing really GOOD STUFF!
Misty, I really liked your switch to first person almost better than your third person. And your voice really FITS your genre. Have you ever toyed with the idea of switching your ms to 1st?
Diane, your voice FITS your genre too. But I think 3rd person is a better fit for your story.
I still use this device any time I’m having trouble “roping in” my heroine or hero.
Misty and Diane, Thanks for posting and now I’ll post Lesson 3 on Emotion and Hooks.
Ta!
Thank you, Lyn, for your comment! I love writing in first person, but I lose my hero’s POV and my agent has told me third is more marketable. This story lends itself well to first person and I could show my hero only through Kate’s eyes…so maybe.
Diane, I thought your story rocked in both first and third. I’m dying to read more, either way!
I’m impressed with the posts. Great voices. Thanks for sharing.
I write light mysteries in 1st person and romantic suspense in 3rd person. Both types have done well in contests, but the first 1st person manuscript won the Insp. category of the Daphne contest and finaled in RS in the Golden Heart Contest. Should I assume then that the 1st person POV mysteries are where my voice fits the best?
And thanks Lyn for the comment on my opening paragraph for the 5 Ws.
Lyn,
For some reason I don’t see Lesson 3 on Emotion and Hooks. Where can I find it?
Thanks for the positive feedback.
Misty,
I can feel the laughs coming with your story. It feels very natural in first person. Will you please post the recipe for Beg Me Baby Brownies? LOL. I’m a chocohalic.
Hi Misty and Kelly Ann,
Misty, I have an idea for you. Who says the whole novel has to be in either 1st or 3rd? As long as you clearly delineate the change, it should work. What I mean is have a brief chapter perhaps only one scene long in 1st, then have a chapter break and return to 3rd person in another person’s head in 3rd. As long as you give your reader a clear signal like a chapter break, they will go with you.
And I found your first person so engaging.
Now for Kelly Ann,
You wrote: “Should I assume then that the 1st person POV mysteries are where my voice fits the best?”
IMHO, Yes. And in everything play to your strengths. I know I didn’t start moving up in my career till I decided to devote my main emphasis on historicals. The problem was 4 years ago when I made this decision, the market for historicals was almost nill. But God provided the Women of Ivy Manor series for me. The publisher went looking for an author to write it and since I had submitted a historical proposal to them, the publisher contacted my agent and in the end, I got the contract. And CHLOE the 1st in that series was my RITA finalist. So I think finding the right ‘FIT’ for your voice is absolutely essential.
Lyn
Hi Diane,
Look to the left column of this page and follow it down and it will be there.
Lyn