So writers know that the most intimidating part of the writing process is not the novel, it’s the query letter.
(Do writers know that? Or am I the only one scared of a 4-paragraph letter?)
Anyway. I’m teaching Query Class to Mrs. G’s 8th grade honors lit classes today. And we’re making a great project. Want to hear all about it? Here it is. I taught them what a query is for, and how it’s written (leaning heavily on the AgentQuery website‘s fine advice). I talked about the “When…” formula for the hook, that goes “When (Main character) experiences (major inciting action) he must (crucial decision).” We talked about distilling a book to a paragraph synopsis (much, much easier to teach than to do). We talked about bios (and I read them a few, some from major award-winners, others from non-published first-timers), and about the all-important closing part, where you say “thanks for your time, and see how I’m really polite and professional?”
The project, then, is a book report. The kids will write to “an agent” and query the novel they’ve just read. They’ll find a killer hook. They’ll write a short synopsis. They’ll write the bio of the author, and request agency representation. Cute, right?
I love eighth grade.
(From the other side.)
(8) Comments for this blog
How awesome are you? Love it!
I wrote the first draft of my first query letter yesterday (I’m taking Elana’s workshop at LDSS) and it was nerve wracking at first, but ultimately inspiring. And then I researched synopses and nearly passed out from the anxiety of it all.
Oh yes. I’d rather just write another book any day.
How awesome are you? Love it!
I wrote the first draft of my first query letter yesterday (I’m taking Elana’s workshop at LDSS) and it was nerve wracking at first, but ultimately inspiring. And then I researched synopses and nearly passed out from the anxiety of it all.
Oh yes. I’d rather just write another book any day.
I taught 8th grade English. I loved it and miss it. That would have been a fantastic book report.
I taught 8th grade English. I loved it and miss it. That would have been a fantastic book report.
I want to take your class. I’m not even kidding; I learned more about how to structure a query letter in this little post than I did in a 2 hour workshop last year.
You are the bomb.
I want to take your class. I’m not even kidding; I learned more about how to structure a query letter in this little post than I did in a 2 hour workshop last year.
You are the bomb.
What a great exercise and great way to involve a qualified parent. Hope it went well!
What a great exercise and great way to involve a qualified parent. Hope it went well!