The Case of the Perfect Agent Part 1 with Detective Rosemary Allspice

Rosemary Allspice here, and I’m delighted beyond words to guest on this tasty little blog today. I’m here to spice things up with bits of news about the daunting task of finding a literary agent. The Alley Cats sent me on assignment two weeks ago and the trail has been peppered with clues.

Heavens, but where are my manners?

I’ve brewed up some delicious British tea (really what other kind is there) in my Red Victorian teapot, baked up my grandmother’s best scones, and brought delectable information on fiction agents. Sip the tea carefully, ducks, for I prefer a dark, robust blend.

I'll report some helpful hints today and more at a later date. Too much information is disagreeable to a full stomach. Now, shall we get on with it?

Literary agents are not plentiful, and agents who represent Christian fiction are fewer still. Before I delve into remarks from some award-winning informants, let me introduce you to a comprehensive list of agents from the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Michael Hyatt.

For writers, his blog should be a daily, or weekly read, because it is brimming with nuggets of wisdom for the new or experienced author. Here is Mr. Hyatt’s list entitled Literary Agents who Represent Christian Authors.

But a list tells us very little of how to go about discovering the right agent, which is why I’ve winkled the information out of some award winning authors. Here’s what they have to say:

Author Kaye Dacus, whose website is brilliant really – full up with writing tips – gave these top three hints for finding an agent:

1. Attend writing conferences and go the sessions taught by your target agent(s).


2. Sit at the agent's table at meals (at conferences).


3. Develop a relationship with the agent by talking TO the agent (and listening) rather than always talking AT the agent. Remember, the agent is a person, too, and gets tired of people constantly pitching to them, wanting something from them.


Brilliant notions, aren’t they? And might I add, Ms. Dacus portrays her Brits quite authentically. If you’ve not had the opportunity to read her novels, you might begin with her contemporary Stand In Groom, or her first regency novel, Ransome’s Honor.

Glynna Kaye, a marvelous lady with the propensity toward encouragement, gave these top tips for the agent hunt:

1) Don't be in too much of a hurry to find one. Many writers feel that the ONLY thing that is holding them back from publication is not having an agent when it's really that they still have a ways to go to learn how to write truly publishable fiction.

2) Know what YOU want from an agent that would, in your estimation, earn them 15% of your hard-earned advance & royalties. Remember, YOU are hiring THEM. Read up on what professional agents are expected to do, then remember that in addition to those basic qualifications/expectations some writers want a critiquer, a line editor, a brainstorming partner or a cheerleader; other writers want to do all their own publishing house networking/pitching, then let the agent step in to close the deal; others want the agent to submit their manuscripts wherever the agent feels is best but don't want to know where or when (or anything else about it) unless something sells; others want . . . [ fill in the blank ]. So educate yourself, decide what YOU want, then start researching specific agents.

3) Keep your eyes and ears open. Talk to other writers/editors about who they like to work with; attend agent panels at conferences long before you're ready to "pitch" to one. Do you think you'd get along with them? Personality and knowledge-wise would you want them to represent you? What is their reputation? Qualifications? Who else do they represent? Do they represent what you write? What kind of contract do you sign with them? How do you get out of it? (And remember, any manuscript they've "pitched" to a publisher that accepts it means they get a piece of the pie and you must be in relationship with them until the book is no longer in print--or possibly longer with the e-book issue now--even if you decide to break your contract and get a new agent.) How often do they communicate with their clients? How quickly are they known to respond to client-initiated contacts? Do they understand the legalese of contracts? Do they have legal advisors? Are they committed professionals or is agenting just a hobby? Do they have a reputation for following-thru on commitments--or dropping the ball? The publishing industry is a small, small world, so it pays to do your homework before signing on the dotted line.


Poignant words, wouldn’t you agree? And it appears that any good author should also have a bit of sleuthing skills about their person. Oh Ms. Kaye, are you good at winkling information from people?

This agent business is quite serious and keeping a sober eye out seems not only beneficial, but wise. One author even referred to it as being ‘married’ to the agent, in the sense of agreeableness and understanding of each others’ expectations and responsibilities.

I recently completed one of Julie Lessman’s novels, and I must say those stories would cause my mum to blush from her toenails to her hairline. I'm quite certain such kisses can't be proper. But oh what marvelous stories -  tales of love and Christ’s redemption. And Luke McGee… Let me take a sip of tea for a moment before continuing. My collar is a bit tight.

I caught up with Julie while she was on a Caribbean cruise. There are days when I simply love my job. Amidst the warm breeze and relaxed atmosphere, Ms. Lessman's personality simmered with bottled up energy. It must be from where all the passion comes in her books. You’ll be hard put to find a more passionate Christian author, I daresay.

Now, Ms. Lessman's notes were to the point. Her top three keys to finding an agent were:

1.) Query like crazy.


2.) Referrals from friends who have agents.


3.) Pray your guts out.

For a woman who gushes 3-inch novels, this is succinct, but her third point was particularly spot on. Where would any of us be without divine intervention?

Oh dear, I only have time for one more interview.

Do not despair, however – I have more to report on January 31st.
Now let me end with an author who is a character in her own right.

Mary Connealy’s books left me wondering about the West’s view of propriety, and I was a bit overwhelmed by their astonishing use of firearms. With women jumping into rivers, near-death falls from cliffs, or an astounding number of gunfights, it is difficult to imagine surviving Ms. Connealy’s world long enough to drink a spot of tea, let alone live through an entire day. However, after the shock dissipated, a surge of euphoria, (which I can only explain as reading-induced insanity,) ensued and I was compelled to finish the books. All of them. In less than a week. They were simply marvelous – and I don’t think I should recover.

I keep them well-hidden from my mother, who might never understand.

Our meetup was lovely, and despite what some of her friends said, she did not offer cold pizza for an appetizer – or pizza at all. Where do such rumors get started?

Be prepared for what Ms. Connealy added on securing a literary agent:

1) Take anyone who says yes who's not listed on preditors and editors.


2) If you make a sale, email the agent of your choice and offer then the agent's cut of the advance if they'll sign you. Easy money for them.


3) Enter contests with agents as finalist judges.


4) Send a mass mailing to every agent listed in Writer's Digest. That's actually how I got my first AND second agent.


That sounds really wrong now.

Oh Mary, you are quite genuine, aren’t you? It is a charming quality, really.

My investigations concluded personal contacts and contests to be at the top of the list for securing agents. Would you agree?

For more about the Case of the Perfect Agent, enjoy this informative post from Seekerville. The ladies of Seekerville are a lovely lot, who provide insight, encouragement, and a vast deal of entertainment.

I'm aware that The Writers Alley's very own Pepper Basham concurred with Glynna Kaye's remarks regarding knowing one's own mind in expectation for an agent. "It makes for a happier fit if the author knows what she's looking for and the agent meets those expectations. I like what Glynna said, the agent is earning 15% of your sales - what do you want them to get paid to do? I think lots of newbies jump at the first opportunity that arises. This isn't necessarily a bad choice, but it may be an uninformed one - so that the author and agent don't have the best fit. I want to find someone who not only believes in me, but wants to encourage me to be better than what I am."

Well, I’ve waffled on long enough, much too long for any proper Brit, so I shall end now – and continue my search for the next post. I’m to glean future information from authors such as Patti Lacy, Jody Hedlund, Deeanne Gist, Deb Raney, and Ruth Axtell Morren, so my next post should shed more light on the mysterious world of literary agents. Needless to say, regardless of which agent you set your cap on, it is worth the wait and the investigation.

I look forward to sharing more on 31, Jan.

Send questions and I'll try to suss out the answer for you.

Cheers,

Rosemary S. Allspice, Amateur Detective

What's Up The Street For Next Week?

This coming week on the Alley, we are on the hunt.

Whether journeying with Miss Rosemary Allspice on her search for the perfect agent or finding what happened to the "fun" in fiction, this week is sure to dig up and reveal clues to the mystery we all long to solve...

Writing. Good. Fiction.

 You never know what you will find on the Alley. Like the stew as a metaphor for letting our WIPs simmer or an adventure to Paris to people watch and to get creative ideas for that "stew"- you are sure to be surprised, encouraged on the journey and maybe...entertained?

I think Miss Allspice had something like that in mind...

But no matter what, you are sure to find some nugget of a clue to inspire your latest WIP.

So shall we get to it? I have been given miniscule clues into the posts of next week...they expect me to write something clever now...sheesh.

Miss Rosemary Allspice is visiting the blog today with (or so I have heard) expert tips on searching for the "right" agent to fit you.

THIS JUST IN: Do you critique, want to critique or just want to learn how to be gracious critiquee?? Sherrinda holds the clues to this mysterious puzzle.

Dear Author is the topic of Mary's post and there are "readers" coming to share their letters of love.

Grab your magnifying glasses! Because the "fun" in fiction has disappeared! Casey is determined to find it! Be sure and visit her blog Wednesday for a pre-post.

Krista does some super-sleuthing to shed some light on the mystery of how to write and publish a novel.

News Stand~ ~ ~

And the winner of the 2 Heartsong books is...Ariel!!

Leave a comment for a chance to win 2 more Heartsong books!

Every good P.I. needs a handbook for success...check out this one by Susan May Warren.

Sarah is moving! (as in her web presense) You can now find her blogging via her website. Every Monday she shares her thoughts, be sure and check out her new "digs!"

ACFW has a new look to their website. Cruise around it if you haven't already.

Looking for more inspiration and handy chats every week on different topics for your WIP? Look no farther than Susan May Warren's My Book Therapy. Free to join!

Anita Higman (Love Finds You and Heartsong author) is the featured guest on OEA next week!

See you all on Monday! We are looking forward to it. :-)

What was your word count this week? Do feel free to share! Any amount is a victory!

Tall, Dark...and All Wrong

When I first started writing, I was dreamy over the perfect heroes I could create. Devastatingly handsome, charming, and smart, of course. I created a perfect list for a perfect hero. In fact, I created perfect heroines, too. No problems, no worries, no fretting about their weight or their hair or their past. And then I'd let life happen to them. Car crashes, kidnapping, whatever I could think of to create disaster for them.

But what did that give me? Conflict for sure--which is essential for a novel. But making perfect characters didn't give them any room for growth. Any reason for readers to want to know more because by the time I had the first scene established, my perfect characters were simply waiting around for something bad to happen to them and they'd handle it accordingly.

So I studied ways to give characters more dimension and the depth they needed to capture a reader, and came up with a handful of ideas to help create interesting--though not quite perfect--main characters.

Make history.
This not to say dump back story in the first chapter but a great way to add depth to a character is to give them a challenge from their past. Something to overcome. A way for them to grow.

Quirks and Imperfections.
Main characters don't have to be physically perfect. Nor do they have to act perfect all the time. A quirk or physical imperfection can endear a reader and give them something to relate to.

Play opposites.
Another great way to add dimension, depth, and definitely some juicy conflict is to create main characters that conflict with other characters. Different beliefs or ways to handle situations, or different personalities.

Create the beginning from the end.
Appealing characters are characters that can grown, learn, and change to become better people. So if you know where you want your characters to be (spiritually, emotionally, etc.) by the end of the story, try to place your main character far from that at the beginning of the story.

Obsessions.
All right, so maybe you don't have to go as far to give your characters obsessions. But tossing in an interesting hobby or unusual way of doing things (even a quirk like mentioned above) gives readers one more thing to draw them to your character.

Using one or a few of these has made my characters imperfect but also more relatable, which is a great goal. And on the other end, it doesn't hurt to give characters those few redeeming characteristics. A relatable character makes for a sympathetic reader which is exactly what you want.

What are tricks you use to give characters depth and make them appeal, in less than perfect ways, to your reader?

Let It Stew

If you’re anything like me, a fresh idea for a story has the power to sweep you away. I’m all for spontaneous bursts of creativity and I lean toward being more of a pantser than a plotter, but it’s worth it to give a new novel idea time. In the same way a stew grows more flavorful as hours pass, a novel that’s been given time to marinate leaves a lasting taste with readers.

Five Reasons Why it’s Important to Let Your New Idea Stew:

Test your charactersJust as some foods don’t improve the quality of their taste over time, you may find after a month or two of plotting, certain characters aren’t strong enough or exceptional enough to survive in one of your novels. Or you might even decide if they’re grating on you after only one month, if it’s worth it to keep with them through the long publication process.

Measure the plotWhen you cook you pay attention to what you add to a recipe. A plot needs time to develop. This is not to say you need to wait to begin writing until the entire plot is organized. Wonderful new twists have come to me as I’m working on a novel. But, it’s essential to evaluate before you type the first word if you have enough conflict and a compelling idea.

Sift out clichésI took copious notes on two novels I grew increasingly ecstatic about. That is until I reexamined the story lines and saw them for what they were—cliché. I scratched both ideas. The publishing industry is slow moving. Concepts must be unique to make it.

Spice and flavor develops over timeThere are particular nuances when allotted the time to simmer create a beautiful and unexpected blend. In stews and in novels.

One ingredient can’t compare to the deliciousness of an assembled stewTake rice for example, rice by itself is well, it’s okay. But rice in a meaty stew adds to the texture and the flavor. All the ingredients matter in a stew. Time creates that mouth-watering goodness. You might think of a power character, but have you provided him or her with a knock-out story to engage readers?

The next time a novel bubbles and you’re chomping at your gums (I play) to get to it, I say let it stew.

Can you think of other benefits of letting novel ideas stew?

*photos from Flickr

People Watching in Paris

About a month ago, I went on a last-minute trip to Paris for the weekend. My husband was traveling to Europe for work and discovered he had enough frequent flier miles for me to hop over there for free. Couldn't turn that offer down! (Here we are at the Louvre.)

One of the things I loved while visiting Paris was watching the people. It was made all the more interesting since I didn't speak the language. It allowed me to stretch my creativity and figure out what their stories were.

So I thought we could have some fun today. I'll introduce you to four people I watched while I was there and I want you to pick one or more of them and tell me what YOU think their story is.
1) A bird of a woman cut in front of us in the long line to Saint Chapelle, when only ten people stood behind us. She carried an oversized bag and inspected the sidewalk before setting her bag down in a very precise manner. Then she danced out of line and looked down the street in both directions until the line moved forward, at which point she danced back into line, grabbed her satchel, and inspected the next bit of sidewalk before carefully setting the bag down again. She repeated this routine over and over.

2) A 60ish-year-old man rode on my plane back to the U.S. He had a scruffy beard and glasses and traveled with a European tour group. Every twenty minutes or so, he stood from his seat and wandered the aisles, then stopped at a different row to speak to the person there (almost always female). I was traveling alone and about halfway through the flight, he stopped at my seat, gave me a smile that bordered on flirtatious, and said, "Parlez vous Francais?" I shook my head and said, "No, no je parle Francais. Je parle Anglais." He responded by giving me another icky smile and speaking in something that was definitely not French or English. I figured it out to be German and again, shook my head. Twenty minutes later, he stopped two rows in front of me and found a beautiful blond woman who happened to speak French. Need I bother mention that he spent a few extra minutes there?

3) While we ate supper at a cafe one night, a young couple rode up on their motor-scooter and sat at a table outside to grab a smoke. They didn't engage in the usual PDA found in Paris. About 15 minutes after they arrived, another guy came up to them and greeted the girl with a kiss on the lips then sat across the table. After that exchange, the girl put her hand on the original guy's shoulder and sat much more cozily with him (not touching Guy #2 at all after the kiss) until they all parted ways.

4) An older man got me belly laughing at a Christmas Market near the Eiffel Tower. Take a look at this video and focus on the man on stage. He practiced this routine over and over again. Dancing forward then backward, then taking a minute to coach himself before he did it again. I couldn't resist capturing him on camera. :) (I had to cut it short, though, 'cuz my camera battery was low.)




So tell me...What are their stories?

UPDATE: For those of you begging for more pictures (Casey and Sherrinda :)), here they are...

The view from our hotel room. Hey, don't accuse me of rubbing it in. You asked for them. :)

Inside Saint Chapelle (where Bird Woman cut in front of us in line...I promise I'm not bitter.)

Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe (It was beautiful at night with all the Christmas lights, but alas, my camera didn't take good night pictures.)

View from the Christmas market (Can't blame the guy in the video for dancing with this as his backdrop.)

Me in front of my future residence, The Palace at Versailles. Well, okay, the closest I'll get to living in a place like this is in heaven.

Writing Through the Tough Seasons

Today's been one of those days.  Oh, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.  In this case it involved missing kitties.  After finding them, we had to find the trail of...well, never mind...that they left around the house.  The dishes are overflowing the sink (and the counters).  My son put some food items into his diaper.  Everyone's been a bit on edge today.

We've all had those days.

On those days writing can be our refuge.  Or at worst we throw a few words on paper and call it a day.

But what about the other kinds of days.  These days last weeks or months.

disability
         job loss
                   grieving
                            an accident
                                           news that turns your world upside down.

The most difficult season of my own life was when my father died eight years ago.  I could go on and on about the spiritual lessons I have learned.  Yet I believe trials and deep losses can strengthen our writing in several ways.

1) Adds to the believability of your characters: 


Its no secret that the best fiction kicks it up a notch continually in terms of drama.  Each of our characters faces some sort of trial or loss.  As I go through difficult things, I believe it adds new dimensions to my characters as they go through losses.  The characters that stick with us have a depth that is only added to by what we go through in our own life.

Mary DeMuth has a series on her blog where readers share their "thin places" something Mary has done masterfully through her own novels.  Consider journaling at a personal level during these rough seasons and allow God to use it for something more.  The times when I am most real and vulnerable are often the times when God uses my writing the most.  In my brokenness, His strength is most revealed.

2) Gives us a greater understanding of our characters and a greater sympathy for their plight.


As you meet others down the road who have gone through similar circumstances, don't you find yourself feeling a closeness with them?  I am a private person, but when I hear about someone who is going through the death of a parent, I feel led to reach out and send them a note.

Empathy led to my current story idea as I sobbed my way through a documentary on those in a cult.  As we plummet the depths of our character's emotions, all the trials we have gone through can bubble up through the character as we empathize with their plight as a writer.  If we cannot feel deeply for our character's struggles, who will?

3) Trials leave us famished in our own flesh.  These times cause us to crawl on our knees to the God who sees all.  They leave us with a gnawing hunger to feast on God's every word.  


As he fills us as only He can through these difficult seasons, we have more to pour out for our brothers and sisters.  This overflows into our fiction allowing our words to be used to minister to someone else's heart.

Have you ever read a book where the words seemed to leap off the page?  You felt that it was written just for you, to encourage, to teach, to convict?


In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. -1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)  


Do you feel the difficult times you have gone through have helped your writing?

This Mama's Writing Habits

During an over-excited attempt to get my wip out of my head onto paper (10,000 words in a weekend), I  noticed some habits adding to my wrestling match towards success.
It makes me laugh to see my same habits as a writer, appear in my other passion in life, motherhood.

The Mom: I can talk myself blue in the face as I reason with my little 8 year old lawyer when he is in trouble, and threaten him with consequences. I feel like a poorly educated psychologist sometimes. Instead of the long debate, I could just show him my stance- give him his consequence. I am the grown-up...right?
The Writer: The poorly educated psychologist creeps into my writing when I overly explain my character's motives. Instead, I could just show it in an active way. When I dissect their motive and their many possible thoughts, I find my head spin!
The Mom: “Why do you ALWAYS...”, “I have never...” and my most ashamed saying of all, “Gosh Almighty!”( Seriously how is that not the same as what it implies??)
 My effectiveness goes out the window...and worse off, my words get in the way of  my purpose as their mother, to let God's light shine through! I will say though, there are some things worth repeating... "Do unto others," "Keep your hands to yourself", "Don't sit on your brother's head..."

The Writer: 
My, my, I use the same sentence structure, adverbs (dun-dun-duuunn), and boring verbs an AWFUL lot! My writing's effectiveness decreases with one too many "howevers".
 Some words that give me fits are:

Just, really, seemed, surely, often...

Just as I thought it seemed necessary, my poor writing surely proved to hinder me, and I often found myself editing instead of really getting ahead in my wip.
Okay, for my own reputation...I never (ha) get this bad, but sometimes I find “just” at the beginning of too many sentences, I use “really” to emphasize a little too often, and “seemed” creeps its way in, especially when I write in first person and have to describe her view of other characters.

Now, I am not saying that all these things are necessarily bad, but if they aren't noticed by me, the writer, and I allow them to flood my story, the main theme and most importantly, the inspiration God gave me in the first place, would be diluted.

My boys and me...The crazy sunglass styles...what was I thinking?

And as a mother, if I also don't choose my words carefully, and limit my psycho-babble, I lose my children's respect and ultimately give them a poor impression of the God I am suppose to be representing in their lives!
Do you have any writing habits that are a constant challenge as you move forward in your wip?