My brother, when he was in Kindergarten commented to his teacher that he really didn't need to know spelling. He said that when he grew up, he would have a secretary that would do all the spelling for him. While this comment was funny at the time, it is, unfortunately an attitude that many people around the world have taken. We even see this in the K-12 education system where we teach to the standardized tests and have completely thrown out the old grammar lessons. But I digress on that point.
Writers in particular seem to think that understanding grammar is not necessary because of all the resources they claim to have at their disposal. They have their grammar checkers, the proclaim they have their resource texts such as STRUNK AND WHITE or A WRITER'S REFERENCE (which I personally believe is the best text). The problem though, is that for many of you out there, your grammar checkers are not looking for all of the mistakes you have. You haven't even set it to look for 80% of the problems. As for the books, you will only look at that text if you happen to realize you have a problem.
Now, let's take it to a new level. There are also those out there (including some agents I know) that feel that focusing on the content is the most important because the publishers have copy editors to take care of the problems. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. The issue here is that, while I agree content and having a great story is crucial, if the story has grammar mistakes, the image the manuscript is giving to that editor is someone who doesn't understand the basic rules of written communication.
Grammar, including spelling, punctuation and sentence construction are the rules of the game we all play by. Yes, grammar is difficult to learn. Yes, many of you haven't had grammar training in a long time. But, this is no excuse. You have to know it and you have to understand it.
When I read query letters and submissions, that grammar really sets the tone for me. Seeing someone with huge issues tells me there is a great chance the content might also be struggling. This is going to be a huge time suck as we try to sell your story.
So what am I saying? Figure it out! Learn that grammar and make sure you use it all correctly. No, I am not saying that you will be rejected with a dangling participle. We aren't that mean. But I am saying it may be a factor that is leading to that rejection letter.
Scott
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Congratulations Ann Lethbridge and Bronwyn Scott
Mills and Boon, in honor of the upcoming Royal Wedding is putting together a fantastic collection of "Royal Wedding" stories in e-format. Greyhaus is excited to have TWO of it's authors participating in the collection.
Put these on your must buy list!!
Prince George and Caroline of Ansbach, 1704
He might be the future King of England but Prince George seeks a marriage that’s more than merely a political alliance. Masquerading as a lowly nobleman, George heads to the court of Ansbach, to woo the renowned beauty Caroline!
Caroline has no knowledge that he’s the most sought-after bachelor in Europe. But however much she’s charmed by the mysterious gentleman, her duty is to accept a blue-blooded proposal… Still, she cannot deny she’s wickedly tempted by his red-hot proposition!
Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816
As Princess Charlotte prepares to marry Prince Leopold, one her most trusted ladies, Lady Isabelle Fenwick, must remain chaste and beyond scandal. Yet she has never forgotten darkly handsome Count Nikkolae Grazinsky and the kiss he stole – along with her heart!
She later discovered the Russian had only used her for a wager, so why does he still seek her company? And why does the air tingle with anticipation when they are together – surely this rake cannot be thinking of following Prince Leopold’s example and making a love-match?
Put these on your must buy list!!
Prince George and Caroline of Ansbach, 1704
He might be the future King of England but Prince George seeks a marriage that’s more than merely a political alliance. Masquerading as a lowly nobleman, George heads to the court of Ansbach, to woo the renowned beauty Caroline!
Caroline has no knowledge that he’s the most sought-after bachelor in Europe. But however much she’s charmed by the mysterious gentleman, her duty is to accept a blue-blooded proposal… Still, she cannot deny she’s wickedly tempted by his red-hot proposition!
Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816
As Princess Charlotte prepares to marry Prince Leopold, one her most trusted ladies, Lady Isabelle Fenwick, must remain chaste and beyond scandal. Yet she has never forgotten darkly handsome Count Nikkolae Grazinsky and the kiss he stole – along with her heart!
She later discovered the Russian had only used her for a wager, so why does he still seek her company? And why does the air tingle with anticipation when they are together – surely this rake cannot be thinking of following Prince Leopold’s example and making a love-match?
Swim A Thon Critique Winner(s)
First of all, I want to thank all those that donated to the swim-a-thon. If you have been following any of the swim programs in your area, you will hear time and time again of how budget cuts are closing one pool after another. Fund raising programs such as this help out all the time.
THANK YOU!
The winner of the partial critique by random name draw was...
LATEIA SANDIFER
As a way to say thank you, I will also critique a 3-5 page, double spaced synopsis for the following writers who donated...
Su Ah Chu
Steena Holmes
Ederlen Ojeda
Again, I thank you all.
Email me directly for information on how to get the project to me!
THANK YOU!
The winner of the partial critique by random name draw was...
LATEIA SANDIFER
As a way to say thank you, I will also critique a 3-5 page, double spaced synopsis for the following writers who donated...
Su Ah Chu
Steena Holmes
Ederlen Ojeda
Again, I thank you all.
Email me directly for information on how to get the project to me!
So Scott, What Have You Written Lately?
One of the writers I work with (not one of my clients) asked me yesterday, "So how are you doing with your writing?" O.K. I had to cringe at that question. I pushed her with her writing and now she is pushing me. My answer was, unfortunately, "nothing."
Oh did I get an earful for that comment.
But, I just have not had the time. I know this sounds like an excuse, but it is the way I decided I wanted to run my business. If my clients had work to do, or I had something for the agency on my "to do list" then I would put that first.
I just work that way.
Yes, I know that there is a certain agent out there that will likely read this and probably email me or call me or Tweet me to get on my case. I am still going to make her deadline she set for me. But... (yes I have used that a lot lately), my clients come first.
Just thought you would like that perspective.
Scott
Oh did I get an earful for that comment.
But, I just have not had the time. I know this sounds like an excuse, but it is the way I decided I wanted to run my business. If my clients had work to do, or I had something for the agency on my "to do list" then I would put that first.
I just work that way.
Yes, I know that there is a certain agent out there that will likely read this and probably email me or call me or Tweet me to get on my case. I am still going to make her deadline she set for me. But... (yes I have used that a lot lately), my clients come first.
Just thought you would like that perspective.
Scott
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We're on Facebook Officially
Just wanted to remind all of you that do a lot with Facebook, The Greyhaus Literary Agency is officially up and running with a real page.
The old "Group" site we had is now down and the Official site is online. Make sure to click on the link here on this page, or visit us directly at Facebook and "LIKE" us. Love to see that number skyrocket!
Scott
The old "Group" site we had is now down and the Official site is online. Make sure to click on the link here on this page, or visit us directly at Facebook and "LIKE" us. Love to see that number skyrocket!
Scott
Sometimes It Is Simply A Matter Of Timing
I am sure I am not the only agent who has faced this before. We sign an amazing author, only to find that a day or two later we find a submission from another author with a similar story.
Does this mean we reject the story immediately? No. But it does mean that we will take a lot more time to really think about the project and decide if we want to take it on.
At Greyhaus, I never want my authors to be in competition with each other. I try to find niches for each of them so an editor is never forced with having to make the decision of one or the other. For this reason, we all look at those projects that come in with the same idea in the back of our head.
I know also that editors are sometimes faced with that same situation. I called an editor once with a project and she loved it. The problem was that another editor beat me to the project by 2 days. This was no ones's fault. It was simply a matter of timing.
Again, just one more case of the way this business can seem so unfair at times. Not a reason to give up though.
Scott
Does this mean we reject the story immediately? No. But it does mean that we will take a lot more time to really think about the project and decide if we want to take it on.
At Greyhaus, I never want my authors to be in competition with each other. I try to find niches for each of them so an editor is never forced with having to make the decision of one or the other. For this reason, we all look at those projects that come in with the same idea in the back of our head.
I know also that editors are sometimes faced with that same situation. I called an editor once with a project and she loved it. The problem was that another editor beat me to the project by 2 days. This was no ones's fault. It was simply a matter of timing.
Again, just one more case of the way this business can seem so unfair at times. Not a reason to give up though.
Scott
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Making Up A Genre Doesn't Make Your Story Unique
I have hinted at this before, but I think this twist is also something worth mentioning.
Too often, I have met with writers who tell me, "my story is a contemporary paranormal romantic suspense." Now, I am not using just this group. There are any number of combinations that we have seen in pitches. Apparently, many writers are, in an effort to make their stories stand out, trying to blend stories. Some have even gone so far as to try and create a new term of "genre blending" to identify situations like this.
The problem with doing this is two-fold. First, this makes understanding your story relatively difficult. There is a feel that the story is really going in multiple directions and makes it sound like there is a lack of focus. While the story might not be doing that and you are just trying to highlight key elements, the story still ends up sounding disjointed.
Secondly, stories like this make it difficult for agents to market. We target certain publishers knowing what they like and don't like. If we can't target a publisher, we really run into huge problems.
The reality of your story is that it is likely only one genre. For example, there has been a rise in historical romances with romantic suspense storylines. No, this is not a historical romantic suspense. It is likely a historical. The plot can have suspenseful elements, but the story is a historical.
Your job as a writer is to pin down what you have decided your story has for a central focus. Is it the paranormal, is it the romance. Once you have identificed that focus, you now have your genre.
Scott
Too often, I have met with writers who tell me, "my story is a contemporary paranormal romantic suspense." Now, I am not using just this group. There are any number of combinations that we have seen in pitches. Apparently, many writers are, in an effort to make their stories stand out, trying to blend stories. Some have even gone so far as to try and create a new term of "genre blending" to identify situations like this.
The problem with doing this is two-fold. First, this makes understanding your story relatively difficult. There is a feel that the story is really going in multiple directions and makes it sound like there is a lack of focus. While the story might not be doing that and you are just trying to highlight key elements, the story still ends up sounding disjointed.
Secondly, stories like this make it difficult for agents to market. We target certain publishers knowing what they like and don't like. If we can't target a publisher, we really run into huge problems.
The reality of your story is that it is likely only one genre. For example, there has been a rise in historical romances with romantic suspense storylines. No, this is not a historical romantic suspense. It is likely a historical. The plot can have suspenseful elements, but the story is a historical.
Your job as a writer is to pin down what you have decided your story has for a central focus. Is it the paranormal, is it the romance. Once you have identificed that focus, you now have your genre.
Scott
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Writers - Don't Become Technologically Weakened
I was thinking about this yesterday as I was fighting with one more element of technology to supposedly "make my life easier." Hrummph! There was no making things easier. The technology simply was slowing me down. In any case, I was thinking about this when it comes to writing. Modern day authors are always spending countless hours, not to mention unbelieveable amounts of money on technology, just to make their writing better. In the end, in my honest opinion, the writing really hasn't gotten better, and, dare I say it, maybe it has gone down hill.
Take grammar checkers. We all seem to think that we don't really need to learn grammar because our grammar checkers will fix it all. The funny part is that the majority of you writers out there have no idea that your grammar checkers are not doing all that you think. When I was in Fresno at the Yosemite RWA writers chapter, we were talking about this. The majority of the writers didn't know that they were missing over 80% of the items in their writing because their grammar checker wasn't looking for the items. And for all these years, they relied on that grammar.
You don't need the lastest iPad, the newest software, or word recognition software. No, you don't need to be on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and all of the other social network sites. And no, you don't need to spend hours and money creating a video book trailer to improve as a writer. It takes intelligence. It takes creativity and yes, it takes a lot of hardwork. There are no technological shortcuts.
For a week, just as a practice, make a conscious effort to return to the writing basics. I dare you. Pull out a legal pad and a pen. No pencils because if you make a mistake, I don't want you to erase. I want to see a real rough draft. You might be amazed at the quality of the writing.
Scott
Take grammar checkers. We all seem to think that we don't really need to learn grammar because our grammar checkers will fix it all. The funny part is that the majority of you writers out there have no idea that your grammar checkers are not doing all that you think. When I was in Fresno at the Yosemite RWA writers chapter, we were talking about this. The majority of the writers didn't know that they were missing over 80% of the items in their writing because their grammar checker wasn't looking for the items. And for all these years, they relied on that grammar.
You don't need the lastest iPad, the newest software, or word recognition software. No, you don't need to be on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and all of the other social network sites. And no, you don't need to spend hours and money creating a video book trailer to improve as a writer. It takes intelligence. It takes creativity and yes, it takes a lot of hardwork. There are no technological shortcuts.
For a week, just as a practice, make a conscious effort to return to the writing basics. I dare you. Pull out a legal pad and a pen. No pencils because if you make a mistake, I don't want you to erase. I want to see a real rough draft. You might be amazed at the quality of the writing.
Scott
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