tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post7159130591908387110..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Angie Fox: Three Things I Had to Do in Order to SellBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4326389745768480952008-03-09T15:41:00.000-04:002008-03-09T15:41:00.000-04:00Pirate the dog is my favorite character too, Angie...Pirate the dog is my favorite character too, Angie. I loved him -- wouldn't want to have him for my very own, but I loved him. Your writing is terrific and I hope your book is a huge success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-23840837988081602992008-03-09T11:47:00.000-04:002008-03-09T11:47:00.000-04:00Hi,I don't know how I got here, followed a link fr...Hi,<BR/>I don't know how I got here, followed a link from somewhere, but I'm glad I'm here. <BR/>Great advice and you have some great comments as well. <BR/>I just finished my novel and I'm struggling with the revision process. <BR/><BR/>I'm not into books other than mystery but I'm looking forward to yours. Sounds so funny. <BR/>Thanks,<BR/>Cher'ley<BR/>http://cherley.webs.com/index.htmCher'leyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15135360082307967914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67584278699902187112008-03-07T22:51:00.000-05:002008-03-07T22:51:00.000-05:00This is a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sh...This is a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on your success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-71853969631862015372008-03-07T15:28:00.000-05:002008-03-07T15:28:00.000-05:00I love this post! Great advice..I love this post! Great advice..Keri Mikulskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10674081854220914215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46279818708736413542008-03-07T13:54:00.000-05:002008-03-07T13:54:00.000-05:00Great advice! I myself have been mulling over how ...Great advice! I myself have been mulling over how to get that extra "oomph" that will sail me into published land, and I think your three points are excellent ways to get there. Now I just have to follow said advice (not easy).<BR/><BR/>Thank you!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33536198827394353422008-03-07T11:35:00.000-05:002008-03-07T11:35:00.000-05:00Great 1st chapter, Angie, and thanks for sharing b...Great 1st chapter, Angie, and thanks for sharing both the chapter and the advice.<BR/><BR/>Things to add to my list:<BR/>1) Buy your book this August.<BR/>2) Post your advice over my computer today.<BR/>3) Write more--right now!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79381508737326280312008-03-07T07:25:00.000-05:002008-03-07T07:25:00.000-05:00Very good post! I agree!I also find that sinking a...Very good post! I agree!<BR/><BR/>I also find that sinking a few JD & Cokes does wonders for letting down your barriers and making you go that extra step!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08175749565666787151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-31389432236084864312008-03-06T18:54:00.000-05:002008-03-06T18:54:00.000-05:00Angie, thanks so much for this post. I'm working ...Angie, thanks so much for this post. I'm working on a paranormal now. I must put your book in my Outlook calendar with a reminder so I can pick it up when it comes out.Keirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05159114428547949050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86413783136863321422008-03-06T17:25:00.000-05:002008-03-06T17:25:00.000-05:00Okay, you had me at the dog! The toilet brush was ...Okay, you had me at the dog! The toilet brush was just icing on the cake. I will definitely look for your book.<BR/><BR/>Congrats!Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1162080787446474952008-03-06T17:09:00.000-05:002008-03-06T17:09:00.000-05:00Congratulations on the upcoming book! I will keep ...Congratulations on the upcoming book! I will keep an eye out for it this summer!<BR/><BR/>I really appreciate your topic. While writing, I sometimes wonder if I have made the manuscript surprising enough. I will hold on to your advice!Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920175688407593776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32527562752813803832008-03-06T16:25:00.000-05:002008-03-06T16:25:00.000-05:00I think the fun in writing is taking it to a highe...I think the fun in writing is taking it to a higher level. April Kihlstrom in her Book in a Week lectures talks about throwing in the kitchen sink.<BR/>Make it bigger works just as well.<BR/>And Angie, your book sounds like a hoot.<BR/>cmrChris Reddinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00429148293004912993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-72537209956902655272008-03-06T16:08:00.000-05:002008-03-06T16:08:00.000-05:00Oh wow - thanks for the positive feedback. I'm rea...Oh wow - thanks for the positive feedback. I'm really glad to hear this is helping. We writers have to stick together. :)Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-75082684247585002802008-03-06T15:06:00.000-05:002008-03-06T15:06:00.000-05:00Great advice, Angie.I can't wait until your book i...Great advice, Angie.<BR/><BR/>I can't wait until your book is out.<BR/><BR/>CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59762511871623722852008-03-06T13:51:00.001-05:002008-03-06T13:51:00.001-05:00That is the most helpful thing I have read in a lo...That is the most helpful thing I have read in a long time. Every day I go online searching for something that will give me answers and inspire me to be a better writer. Thank you Angie Fox! I feel like you just let me in on a secret. :)<BR/>ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-60428823062229099492008-03-06T13:51:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:51:00.000-05:00Angie, you've become my must-have summer book buy....Angie, you've become my must-have summer book buy. I can't wait to read it! It sounds like a hoot. I love the riverboat idea. And I think you're so right on in your advice. And you phrased it in a way that makes me itch to get back to my story. Which is a rare talent. <BR/><BR/>Most writing teachers I've had seem to have a knack for phrasing their advice in such a way that it leaves you considering donating your laptop to Goodwill and never writing again. It's like their mission in life is to suck all the joy out of writing.<BR/><BR/>And here you come along with advice that puts the joy back in. What a treat! Count me among the pre-orders.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13141337002051004406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-45444502927975292722008-03-06T13:20:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:20:00.000-05:00Yes, thanks so much for this great post. I especia...Yes, thanks so much for this great post. I especially like the part about brainstorming and not going with your first thought. GREAT advice.K J Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12023089365553324315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-44293825993369793242008-03-06T13:19:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:19:00.000-05:00Angie, I'm not a paranormal book reader, never hav...Angie, I'm not a paranormal book reader, never have been, but I can't stop thinking about the frozen underwear spell! That's hysterical : )Diana Symonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15538523285679992056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-77453756703322165152008-03-06T13:09:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:09:00.000-05:00Most informative, thank you.-Rachel GlassMost informative, thank you.<BR/><BR/>-Rachel GlassAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63158814093304910262008-03-06T13:05:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:05:00.000-05:00Geriatric biker witches! Yeah, you just sold me yo...Geriatric biker witches! Yeah, you just sold me your book. :)<BR/><BR/>My motto for my current WIP has been "THINK BIGGER," and this plays directly into that. Thanks for the post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15311031288246118542008-03-06T12:18:00.000-05:002008-03-06T12:18:00.000-05:00This is an enormously helpful post! Thanks, Ms. Fo...This is an enormously helpful post! Thanks, Ms. Fox, for spelling it out so clearly and well, and thank you BookEnds, for posting it!jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51819075498389707402008-03-06T12:06:00.000-05:002008-03-06T12:06:00.000-05:00This was such a helpful post, and your book sounds...This was such a helpful post, and your book sounds so awesome! There's another novel I need to add to my 'must read' list! :)<BR/><BR/>- Joya M.Joyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14390718639115144572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64045769815560113842008-03-06T11:19:00.000-05:002008-03-06T11:19:00.000-05:00Mark brings up an excellent point. Conflict is key...Mark brings up an excellent point. Conflict is key – both internal and external conflict. It’s not just about the outward challenges of the story, i.e. what is happening “to” the hero/heroine. Rather, it’s about their personal struggles too. You’ll want the events of the story to challenge your main characters on several levels. <BR/><BR/>And Mark guessed it 100% right about The Accidental Demon Slayer. Yes demons are after her, but you can’t leave it at that. What makes it unique? Okay, there’s a hot shapeshifting griffin that has his own agenda. Okay. What else? To draw more conflict, I made my heroine a preschool teacher who would really rather be left alone. Her whole life, she’s been the good girl who doesn’t like to cause trouble. Now, she can’t avoid it. She’s been forced to take off with a bunch of geriatric biker witches. Worse, she has no idea how to best use her powers or what she’s capable of doing. So it’s not just about her life being in danger, but we’re challenging her entire world view. <BR/><BR/>Really stick it to your characters. Make the good things about them, the things we like, become liabilities. That challenges a reader, and the character. Like when the griffin in my story agrees to help our budding demon slayer and we think she’ll finally catch a break. There’s conflict because we know he’ll want payback later, but we’re happy that she’s finally going to reach one of her goals – until the hero tricks her and ties her to a tree. Always look for ways to challenge your characters in their beliefs and about who they are.<BR/><BR/>And don’t forget about you secondary characters, either. My biker witches have their own story arcs as a result of what happens in the story. Conflict challenges characters and often changes them – for better or worse - and that is always interesting.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69250005911067565502008-03-06T11:14:00.000-05:002008-03-06T11:14:00.000-05:00Thanks, Josephine. I think most authors have been ...Thanks, Josephine. I think most authors have been forced to come to similar realizations about their work. We’ve all had the “ah-hah” moment in different ways, but yes, these techniques are universal. I’d heard them before I actually learned how to put them into practice. That’s the key. For years, I thought I was doing this and I wasn’t. <BR/><BR/>I didn’t realize how important it was to push myself to the point where I feel that “What did I just write?” discomfort. Because, hopefully, that means there's something unique on the page. And this isn’t only true for the kind of quirky paranormals I write. Authors who write dark use these techniques too. It’s not about the kind of story you’re crafting. It’s about pushing that story and the characters harder.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79451147824491434072008-03-06T10:38:00.000-05:002008-03-06T10:38:00.000-05:00Excellent advice and I think I'll follow all of it...Excellent advice and I think I'll follow all of it.<BR/><BR/>I would add one thing. I'm not 100% sure writers need to be fully conscious of this, but maybe.<BR/><BR/>Where's the conflict?<BR/><BR/>Usually aspiring writers have a good idea of what their basic conflict is. Their main character is trying to solve some problem, ergo, conflict.<BR/><BR/>But more successful fiction has a lot more conflict from a lot more areas.<BR/><BR/>The character may be ambivalent about what they're doing or who they are. (Like, I'm a demon slayer. That means what? Are you crazy? Aren't they going to try and kill me? Aren't I, like, outnumbered?)<BR/><BR/>I've often considered Michael Connelly's bestselling Harry Bosch novels as a great example of conflict, because Harry, just by his nature, carries conflict with him wherever he goes. Has baggage, will travel. So he rarely gets along with his partner, his boss, his neighbors, his lovers, his ex-wife...<BR/><BR/>Make the weather a conflict. Give your character a bad cold in the middle of having to do something, save the world, whatever. Just pour on the miseries.<BR/><BR/>Or, if you're writing something lighthearted, make sure there's still lots of conflict. Go watch the TV shows "Monk" or "PSyche" and see how those writers create conflict in funny, silly situations.Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79533164600744022632008-03-06T10:19:00.000-05:002008-03-06T10:19:00.000-05:00Angie, the process you follow very much echoes the...Angie, the process you follow very much echoes the advice uber agent Donald Maass gives in his "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook."<BR/><BR/>So many books I've stopped reading had ordinary, mundane characters in ordinary, mundane situations, and they made ordinary, mundane decisions. Bor- ing! You've got to raise the stakes, and make it entertaining. Sounds like you have.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your new release!Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.com