pandora/ipod: "jacqueline" by franz ferdinand
There was no doubt in my mind that Debra Driza would land an agent. First time I read an excerpt of her novel on her blog, I was like "Yep. She's in." Of course, I'm infinitely jealous that she landed an agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency LITERALLY in her home town so they can get together for coffee and talk about manuscripts.Bitch.
:D
1. What is your novel about? If you pitch it to me in iambic pentameter you get bonus points.
DEBRA: The mere thought of iambic pentameter gives me horrifying nightmares of high school, so happily, I'm going to skip that part. Besides, my pitches are lame in even regular form--I shudder to think what me trying to Shakespeare them up would do to them. Broken down to it's most basic level, my novel is about a girl who has to face betrayals and mysteries from her past in order to save her future--and the futures of those she loves. Only, there's like demons and stuff, too. (Did I mention I suck at pitches?)
2. What do you love most about your main character?
DEBRA: I love Summer's refusal to curl up in a ball and give up when others try to beat her down. That, and her sense of humor.
3. What's the one think you wish you'd know at the beginning of the writing/querying/publishing process?
DEBRA: The website for Absolute Write. I learned soooo much about the publishing industry once I joined that online community of writers. Plus, having people who really know what you're going through to share the inevitable ups and down of writing with? Priceless.
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PAY IT FORWARD PARTICIPANTS:
Elana Johnson
Lisa and Laura Roecker
Beth Davis
Leah Clifford
Victoria Schwab
Kirsten Hubbard
Carrie Harris
Kim Harrington
Suzette Saxon & Bethany Wiggins
Amy Holder
Kathy McCullough
Tiffany Schmidt
Susan Adrian
Dawn Metcalf
Cutest. Picture. Ever.
ReplyDeleteMore great advice, too. I think I discovered AW only after I'd sent out my first hot mess of a query to at least 5 agents. *wince*
Does she take a bad picture? I didn't find AW until after I had an agent. I wish I had found AW sooner, but maybe not TOO soon. If I had been there before I finished my first draft, I might have gone slinking off in fear and dejection.
ReplyDeleteCan I confess, I can't even see Debra. Any picture that contains puppage renders humans invisible to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes to AW. It's not even that I learned that much about writing or querying or publishing, but that I met dozens of people who were all working for the same thing with real dedication. Including Houndie!
Love the pic!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, AW definitely. I did find it around the time I was thinking about querying my first, but it was so big I didn't stick around long. Took a while to absorb it all, heh.
You had me at "demons and stuff." Number one, that's my kind of pitch. Number two, who doesn't want to read/write about demons? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview, Gretchen! And, lol, could Skye look any less thrilled to be in that photo? So undignified! :D
ReplyDeleteAnother fun interview. I wish I had more time to spend at AW. It's still a great resource.
ReplyDeleteYes, great interview, and AW rocks! Without it, we wouldn't have each other. :) Beautiful pic, you always take great pics Deb!
ReplyDeleteLoved this interview!! And I agree, I don't know where I would be without AW and the Purgies!
ReplyDeleteI loved that pitch as well! It has voice :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interviews, Gretchen! Enjoying your posts. I'm new to your blog but I'm a follower now! When you have a moment, come on over and puruse mine:-)
ReplyDeleteGail
www.writefromthesoulvisualeyes.blogspot.com