How to Hook an Agent

On Saturday I went to a Writers and Artists event at Bloomsbury Publishing in London.  There were supposed to be only eighteen of us aspiring authors (actually there were about double that number) and four agents. None-the-less the morning was really informative and quite interactive and we all had a chance to write a hook for our book.

Mine went like this:

If Judith wants to be your friend, she’ll make it happen. She’ll follow you and get to know you, whether you want her to or not.

During lunch we each disappeared from the table to have a 1:1 ‘speed dating’ session with one of the agents. I was first on the list to see Lucy Luck. She read my synopsis (even though she doesn’t like them), gave me some feedback and suggested I submit my first three chapters to her agency.  I have done it this evening.

Right before leaving I had the chance to speak to Madeleine Milburn. About six months ago I submitted three chapters to her agency and she asked to see my whole manuscript (it was a ‘no’ in the end). I was flattered that she remembered so much about it and she was VERY complimentary about my writing.   

Most importantly, she gave me some really good, specific and constructive feedback on how to improve it. That’s my job for the next week or two.

A new year begins

09.01.11

This year is IT.  No excuses and no hiding.  I am going for it.  By the end of 2011 I will be a published author and when people ask me what I do, I'll say 'I am a writer'.

There we go - I've said it out loud and told the world.

Years of day courses, weekend courses, summer school courses and distance learning courses have led to the expensive and time-consuming MA in Creative Writing.  Year 1 of said course is over and now I am working on my 'one big piece of writing'.

Shitty-First-Draft (I am assured this is a technical term) is complete at 82500 words and now I am starting the first edit.  Bring it on.  I have kept a journal for the last four months and will start this blog with some extracts from it.

Maybe my thoughts and points of learning will help other aspiring writers.  You will not do things exactly as I did, but perhaps you will get ideas tht you can adapt and use.  I would love to know what you think and would love to know how you deal with the common problems.

Areas of particular interest to me at the moment include planning the plot, getting to know my characters, time-lines, journaling, finding my own time and space to write, how to edit and how to ask for help.

Come along with me and I will join you in your journey.