What’s Most Exciting To Me Right Now

August 26, 2009 in Writing | 1 comment

Having read hundreds and hundreds of manuscripts and thousands of queries, I have to say that there are some things I’ve seen again and again. Whether they’re common mistakes, tics, themes, tropes, images characters, conflicts, obstacles, relationships, tensions… there is definitely a well of common fiction staples where writers dip their buckets again and again and again.

That’s nothing to be scared of, however. That just means that your work has to be that much more unique, that much more sharply written, that much more thoroughly imagined and felt. Even though I’ve read most conceits, plots and stories already, I still encounter things that make me sit back and say: “I have never read a book like this.”

And that’s what’s most exciting to me. The old saying goes: “There are no new ideas.” Whether that is absolutely true or not isn’t for me to say, but I can absolutely guarantee that there are old ideas done in a brand new way. Those are the books and manuscripts that stick out, that demand my attention, that catch my eye.

I’m happy to report it still happens. It’s hard to do but writers are still doing it. Challenge yourself to be that kind of writer. I’ll love you all the more for it.

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  1. Olivia Ghafoerkhan’s avatar

    Olivia Ghafoerkhan on October 16, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    For me, my struggle is in the query, in the actually getting someone to read what I write. I love the idea of fresh twists on old ideas, on expanding a thought, an old story, and bringing it fresh. That’s why I’m drawn to writing YA paranormal. I started out writing Women’s Lit…then I had an exciting, new, fresh idea and so I started writing it…and since I was writing YA I started reading YA…I think because there are so many writers and so many queries out there many a good manuscript is left unread b/c of bad query letters. A friend showed me her book, the book which has gotten 40 rejections to queries without a page of the manuscript being read. Beautiful writing, the first chapter ends with a giant red door growing out of the floor…who wouldn’t want to read chapter two? But no one has made it to the red door, because of her query letter…I’m sad for her and for me. Do you have an answer, the answer to a letter that will make a tired agent’s eyes pop? I know it’s hard, you read a lot of letters I’m sure, and most for books that are not well written. What’s the secrete?