This was a legit question I had, thank you so much for putting this video out. I've heard so many people tell me that I should put in spoilers in my query but that just never sounded right. And. Now I know for sure.
I’m writing the next to last chapter of my first attempt at a book, about to start some editing/revision to polish it some. I’ve already started to think about the query writing and how best to pitch my story. It’s harder than I thought. I’ve been consuming all of your videos on the subject and greatly appreciate your insight.
Sharp Objects is amazing! It was one of those books I could not, just not, put down. And the twist, gods, that twist... I read it recently and those are eight hours of sleep I do not regret shortening.
This is really interesting. I am a writer from Germany and I just got my first book deal this year and I think it's different here. I don't know if there's an english equivalent, but what we do is we submit an "Exposé", which has a synopsis and the main characters in it (and data like genre, audience, etc.) plus the first 30-50 pages of the manuscript. I don't think there even is something like a query letter. Sometimes you'll see a pitch or 4-5 sentences at the beginning but that's it. This query thing is not a thing at all in Germany. Actually, you are told spoilers are absolutely necessary and cannot be left out whatsoever.
After this video it was all of a sudden way clearer what I should write in the query letter. It was literally just a matter of swapping the major plot twist with the question asked by the character throughout the book. It wasn't even that hard. Thank you so much!
fun fact: your video popped on my recommended. I knew nothing about publishing or even the meaning of "query letter" (I write screenplays), so I had no idea what to expect. Subscribing now, brilliant channel!
Could you make a video about your brainstorming process? Particularly how long you like to let an idea marinate before you begin the writing process. Do you typically know the ending before you begin so you at least have a target to write toward? I am a fellow pantser and I've never managed to finish a novel when I didn't know the ending before I started writing. Would love to hear about your pre-writing process.
but if an agent requests a synopsis, you DO spoil it, right? So you do your lil tease like it would be on the back of the book, blablabla and then "As per your request, here is the full synopsis of the book". Also: are you participating in Camp Nano this July?
Yes, definitely spoil the entire plot in a synopsis! No official plans to do Camp Nano, but I'll probably pop into some writing sprints, etc. as I do want to get some work done on a new book!
@@liegeman717 i know im late to the party... but im pretty sure agents will have a list of things they want (including how many pages they want - otherwise, how would you know how many to send?). some might include a synopsis in that list, some might not. if they don't, i would play it safe and just send a blurb, since as alexa said, spoilers can ruin someone's reading experience. agents are no different. ive never queried before, so don't quote me on this, but it just makes sense to me like that :)
I'd always assumed in the query you'd have to summarise the whole novel, including spoilers. Thank you for clarifying on this! Another writing question: Does it matter whether you write chronologically or not, chapter-by-chapter? I've been skipping a few chapters in my writing for later because I'm not sure what to put there yet or because I can't wait to get to the juicier bits, and I'm wondering if this is a bad thing to do. Love your work! x
I know you're waiting for her to answer, so if you want you can ignore me. But, that being said, if your novel gets finished, all chapters written regardless of how and when they were written, that's all that matters. If your writing style works for you, then that's it. It works. Focus on those two words. You don't have to write in the order you would read it, and I've heard of published authors that randomly write chapters/pages and somehow manage to compile it into a book. (Dunno how they do it because I write the way I read just so I have continuity in mind. But you don't have to if it doesn't work for you.)👍
I second what Kanashii Ookami said-- I jump around from one scene to another when writing and then have to make all the scenes mesh together. Use whatever technique that lets you complete the novel.
Personally I never finished a novel until I just quit trying to write chapter eight and went on to something I could get into. I’m not published (yet?!?!) but after thirty years I at least have the satisfaction of having finished a novel.
I am guilty of doing this! Probably why I was getting rejections. It’s hard to find the right angle, but after rewriting my query more times than I can count, I think I finally figured it out🤞
If you're not interested in the west are not going to watch or read my book? What about the reader? How are you to get them to read the book? The publisher doesn't spoiled the book for them on the front flap. And yet someone still picked it up read it and was interested to buy it.
What if my book has lots of twists? Like main character is manipulated by a mysterious monster in darkness. He ends up finding his relationship with that monster. Shall I spoil what the monster is in the query?
How can you write **anything** about a novel without some spoilers? OK true queries need to be short n sweet and a twist makes no sense without context.
Have you talked about black lives matter? Not that my sub would matter, but I’m doing a sweep on youtubers who I think don’t care about me (black) and unsubscribing. But I’m not too sure if you haven’t talked about it inside a video. Also I’m talking about a video on the movement, not a tweet. This is your biggest platform, use this.
After watching this video the only thing I could think when I looked at the title was 'You spoiled the video'!! 😆
This was a legit question I had, thank you so much for putting this video out. I've heard so many people tell me that I should put in spoilers in my query but that just never sounded right. And. Now I know for sure.
*SPOILER*
Don't even think about it.😏
I’m writing the next to last chapter of my first attempt at a book, about to start some editing/revision to polish it some. I’ve already started to think about the query writing and how best to pitch my story. It’s harder than I thought. I’ve been consuming all of your videos on the subject and greatly appreciate your insight.
Just don't do it. Don't spoil the book, WHY would you do that. DONT DO IT.
I’ll be querying soon and NEED ALL THIS INSIGHT, thank you Alexa!!
Sharp Objects has an amazing twist, and from what it sounds ike the culprit wasn’t even mentioned in the back blurb! Cool!!
Sharp Objects is amazing! It was one of those books I could not, just not, put down. And the twist, gods, that twist... I read it recently and those are eight hours of sleep I do not regret shortening.
... And you just partially spoiled the book!
This is really interesting. I am a writer from Germany and I just got my first book deal this year and I think it's different here. I don't know if there's an english equivalent, but what we do is we submit an "Exposé", which has a synopsis and the main characters in it (and data like genre, audience, etc.) plus the first 30-50 pages of the manuscript. I don't think there even is something like a query letter. Sometimes you'll see a pitch or 4-5 sentences at the beginning but that's it. This query thing is not a thing at all in Germany. Actually, you are told spoilers are absolutely necessary and cannot be left out whatsoever.
After this video it was all of a sudden way clearer what I should write in the query letter. It was literally just a matter of swapping the major plot twist with the question asked by the character throughout the book. It wasn't even that hard. Thank you so much!
This youtube channel is highly underrated
fun fact: your video popped on my recommended. I knew nothing about publishing or even the meaning of "query letter" (I write screenplays), so I had no idea what to expect. Subscribing now, brilliant channel!
I wish this was a thing in Germany. Here, a query typically consists of a synopsis, which by default spoils the book 😐
Could you make a video about your brainstorming process? Particularly how long you like to let an idea marinate before you begin the writing process. Do you typically know the ending before you begin so you at least have a target to write toward? I am a fellow pantser and I've never managed to finish a novel when I didn't know the ending before I started writing. Would love to hear about your pre-writing process.
Thankyou for helpus with your ideas.
Omg I love sharp objects too!!! Glad to see it as an example book- that twist ended meeee
This makes sense - I guess it would be like Querying The Empire Strikes back and saying "and Vader is totes Luke's Father".
but if an agent requests a synopsis, you DO spoil it, right? So you do your lil tease like it would be on the back of the book, blablabla and then "As per your request, here is the full synopsis of the book".
Also: are you participating in Camp Nano this July?
Yes, definitely spoil the entire plot in a synopsis! No official plans to do Camp Nano, but I'll probably pop into some writing sprints, etc. as I do want to get some work done on a new book!
I know this sounds dumb but when you get a chance could you explain the writing of a synopsis and when it comes into play with an agent. Thanks!
@@liegeman717 it's not dumb, that's a great question I'd love to hear answered 😁
@@liegeman717 i know im late to the party... but im pretty sure agents will have a list of things they want (including how many pages they want - otherwise, how would you know how many to send?). some might include a synopsis in that list, some might not. if they don't, i would play it safe and just send a blurb, since as alexa said, spoilers can ruin someone's reading experience. agents are no different. ive never queried before, so don't quote me on this, but it just makes sense to me like that :)
I'd always assumed in the query you'd have to summarise the whole novel, including spoilers. Thank you for clarifying on this!
Another writing question: Does it matter whether you write chronologically or not, chapter-by-chapter? I've been skipping a few chapters in my writing for later because I'm not sure what to put there yet or because I can't wait to get to the juicier bits, and I'm wondering if this is a bad thing to do.
Love your work! x
I know you're waiting for her to answer, so if you want you can ignore me. But, that being said, if your novel gets finished, all chapters written regardless of how and when they were written, that's all that matters.
If your writing style works for you, then that's it. It works. Focus on those two words. You don't have to write in the order you would read it, and I've heard of published authors that randomly write chapters/pages and somehow manage to compile it into a book. (Dunno how they do it because I write the way I read just so I have continuity in mind. But you don't have to if it doesn't work for you.)👍
I second what Kanashii Ookami said-- I jump around from one scene to another when writing and then have to make all the scenes mesh together. Use whatever technique that lets you complete the novel.
Personally I never finished a novel until I just quit trying to write chapter eight and went on to something I could get into. I’m not published (yet?!?!) but after thirty years I at least have the satisfaction of having finished a novel.
Very helpful video, thank you :)
Nice! I'll keep these in mind for when I have to publish my books ^^
I am guilty of doing this! Probably why I was getting rejections. It’s hard to find the right angle, but after rewriting my query more times than I can count, I think I finally figured it out🤞
Was just asking about this!!!
If you're not interested in the west are not going to watch or read my book? What about the reader? How are you to get them to read the book? The publisher doesn't spoiled the book for them on the front flap. And yet someone still picked it up read it and was interested to buy it.
I'd lol if you ended the video after "NO."!
Teasing us with another book in the works with a fun twist.... I see how it is 😁
What if my book has lots of twists? Like main character is manipulated by a mysterious monster in darkness. He ends up finding his relationship with that monster. Shall I spoil what the monster is in the query?
should I include a synopsis with my query letter?
how long should a query be?
How can you write **anything** about a novel without some spoilers? OK true queries need to be short n sweet and a twist makes no sense without context.
I need to contact a publisher please
Most query letters require the synopsis or 'the back cover' pitch for your story. WHY would you put spoilers? SMH
Have you talked about black lives matter? Not that my sub would matter, but I’m doing a sweep on youtubers who I think don’t care about me (black) and unsubscribing. But I’m not too sure if you haven’t talked about it inside a video. Also I’m talking about a video on the movement, not a tweet. This is your biggest platform, use this.