blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
What are among a writer’s most potent words? Which ones will have an impact beyond what a writer can imagine?
Some might guess it’s the exquisite words: THE END.
But it’s actually the words that come after…
Agents
Never-Fail Formula for Writing a Book That Won’t Become a Bestseller
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
(Updated)
Maybe it’s not discussed often enough in writers’ circles. We talk about what we can do to ready our work for a publisher’s eyes. We list ways to draw readers’ attention with our novels or nonfiction.…
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Know Means No: Giving Editors and Agents a Reason to Say Yes
Know means no.
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
What do you need to know to make it less likely an agent or editor will say no to your proposal?
KNOW who you are (and who you aren’t) as a writer.
You may …
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Instinct, Insight, Imagination–Authors’ and Agents’ Tools for Success
Instinct, Insight, Imagination
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Instinct. Insight. Imagination. Agents and authors share the need for all three.
Writers utilize instinct, insight, and imagination to create books, blog posts, back cover copy, marketing materials, and career plans.
And agents tap …
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Goal, Motivation, Conflict: The Importance for Authors
Goal, Moviation, Conflict
by Cynthia Ruchti
Every novice novelist soon learns about goal, motivation, and conflict. The mysterious GMC factor drives a good novel. And it isn’t produced by General Motors Corporation.
Debra Dixon wrote a classic resource for writers–…
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Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction
Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction
By Cynthia Ruchti
In a January 16, 2011 post for Psychology Today, Dr. Pamela B. Rutledge expounded on “The Psychological Power of Storytelling.” She focused on the concept as it relates to changes …
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I’ve Looked at Agent Life from Both Sides Now
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Ten years ago, I thought I knew what an agent did with his or her time.
As an aspiring writer, I sat through every agent panel at conferences and soaked up their wisdom (most of it …
Come Alongside
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Janet and I are getting ready to head down to Scripps College in Southern Californian the next couple days to talk to the students about writing and publishing. Six sessions over two days. I have to admit, …
Queries: To request a book or not?
Blogger: Rachel Kent
I was asked recently, “What is the one thing that makes you request a project based on a query and what is the one thing in a query that makes you decide a book isn’t the right …
Agent Referrals
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I am often asked by writers, What is the agent referral? How do I get one? Will it get me past the query? The answer to the last question is yes. Now let’s tackle the first two.…