Outlines & Query Letters

[They]

I'll start with Outlines, as that seems to be my largest gap. I've never written one. In all the writing classes, courses whatever I've taken, I've never been required to write one. It was part of the curriculum, but when it came to me they always made an exception. I couldn't tell you why. I know what a basic outline looks like, but anyone have any examples they could share or ideas on how to go about making one?

As for the Query letters (though it probably should have it's own thread) the examples I've seen always seem cold to me. For some reason it just seems textbook. Any Live comments on Query letters from the "Pro's" (by pro I mean someone who has actually written one that helped to get their story in print)

Thanks.

[wgjones3]

Outlines... depends on what you want, i guess. If you're outlining to send to a publisher, you'll want to follow the basic outline format (http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/outlining.html). If you're just outlining for yourself, you might want to try Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method for writing a novel (http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html). A lot of people like it. I've also heard of people who use Excel to outline, I guess they open up a new worksheet for every major plot event. I don't know. I don't do well with outlining, I typically do all that stuff in my head while i'm procrastinating.

Query letters--I've used a basic format and about 50% have been a manuscript request or partial request. I do something like this in modified block format...


My address
City, State Zip
Telephone: 555-555-5555

Date

Agent / Editor name spelled correctly
Agent /Editor address
City, State ZIP

Re: Novel Title, word count, book type [ CHRISTIAN NOVEL, 90,000 word novel ]

Dear Agent or Editor Name Spelled Correctly,

A fifteen word or less general plot summary statement that hooks the reader (such as, "How does it feel to know in seven days, you'll be dead?"--I italicized that one so it didn't come off so much as a threat ;) )

A 2-3 sentence introduction of the characters and the plot. This is where I use names for the first time. Never in the first sentence.

And then the third paragraph, I follow up with the rest of the story. This is typically the longest paragraph in the query letter. Here's where I hit the high points of the plot, give a feel for the dramatic tension that carries the story, and hint at the resolution. This should never be more than 75 words, in my opinion.

The fourth paragraph is where I tell them how many words CHRISTIAN NOVEL is again, that it's complete, and that I am free to send them the complete manuscript at their convenience. Or I tell them that it is a simultaneous submission (if, in fact, someone has already requested the ms).

The fifth paragraph is where I tell them about myself. I'm a Christian writer affiliated with the Church of God, I do graphics and media work, and I graduated from Mid Continent University with a B.S. I wrote CHRISTIAN NOVEL as a way of sharing hope with readers who may face similar struggles as my main character.

The last paragraph is where I tell them why I'm querying them. Then I thank them for their time.

Sincerely,

William G. Jones

enc (if you intend to slip 5 pages of your work in with the query)

[wgjones3]

There's a program called SLang2 at this website that is supposed to help with the outlining process: http://www.freefilmsoftware.co.uk/

[Jean Ann]

When I teach writers techniques on writing query letters, I always read to them form the front flap of a book or the back cover. The information found there makes a perfect query letter example. Teaser opening paragraph, description of the character and book, author credentials. One page, short and sweet. If you can't write a one page query letter, then how is your publisher going to write the back cover for your book?