Query Letters Suck

For those of you who don't know what a query letter is, let me s'plain it to you.

A query letter is the letter you send out to a literary agent when you are trying to land one. Simple right?

In theory. But then again, most things are.

In your query, you have to give a brief summary of your story, explain the plot, your credentials and tell how big the book is. Again, easy in theory.

But writing that SOB is a pain in the neck (especially for me, 'cause sometimes I hunch over my keyboard like Quazimodo).

Nailing a hook is a lot harder than I thought. I wrote my first part and thought, 'this is good.' I had someone read it, and their response was this (verbatim):

Your hook didn't grab me at all.

Ouch. Okay what about the summary?

That person came back with about a dozen questions to counter.

Lame.

Hell, I even messed up the final part with my credentials! (BTW - I don't have any, but don't go passing that around...)

Don't put any negative comments. Okayyy...

Anyways... I did pick up some great tips from the AgentQuery Connect Forum which has helped immensely, and I'm beginning to understand the basics. When I have finished a working one, I'll be sure to post it.

Til then, keep on tickin!

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Posted in agentquery connect, query letters

Inspirational Quotes from Stephen King

While procrastinating yesterday, I came across two interesting quote by Stephen King. He is one of two of my favorite authors in the way he writes. Here is the first:

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work." [Goodreads] 

This particular quote spoke to me instantly, because it made me realize that it was exactly what I was doing. In fact, if you read yesterday's post about being stuck in a rut, I would literally just wait for something to happen.

But when I read it, it lit a fire under my arse, and I got to it. End result? Another 2K words nailed. So, inevitably, I did reach my goal.

However, my work does not always feel its best. In reality, while I felt like I had accomplished nothing yesterday, I then came across this quote as well:

"Running a close second [as a writing lesson] was the realization that stopping a piece of work just because it's hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don't feel like it, and sometimes you're doing good work when it feels like all you're managing is to shovel s**t from a sitting position."

Wow. If I've ever needed a boost (even crudely!) this was it. So I must get back to work, and I hope these quotes inspire you (one person that accidentally ends up here).

Keep on tickin'.

#BONUS POINTS!# What's you're favorite inspirational quote?

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Posted in inspirational quotes, stephen king

Stuck in the Inevitabe Rut

I always hate coming to a brick wall. It's weird how you can cruise along, chipping away at your book, thinking you're making good time...

Then BAM! You hit the proverbial wall at neck break speeds, sustaining minor injuries and a case of whiplash.

I have come to that point once again while working on Paladin's sequel (Title Withheld - no, it's not called title withheld, you crazy head!).

I'm at part where I need certain characters to perform a "mission" but I can't quite nail the details down. What I hate the most is that I have three viable options, but the one I choose needs to be the most realistic.

What to do, what to do.

Guess I'll either a) sit here until I think of something, or b) go promote Paladin.

What do you think, nonexistent reader?

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Paladin Now Live on Amazon

Hile, readers!

This morning (approximately 12:08) I finally put the ebook version of my book, Paladin on Amazon. I am still in the works of getting a publisher, but in the meantime, you can grab the electronic copy for just 3 bucks from the link in the sidebar.

While I must say I'm proud of the book itself, the cover is drab and mediocre at best. If you're reading this, and either are or know someone who could design a better one, please contact me either via email or comment below.

What is Paladin?

The Crossblade Chronicles will eventually become a full trilogy at least, though there are more stories to come in the same world.

Everlasting fate is really a large umbvrella of different sets and series that all take place in the same world, either before or about the same time as this introduction series - the Crossblade Chronicles.

Paladin introduces Leon VanDesh, our young protagonist (as most fantasy stories semm to gravitate towards) and the struggles he faces both internally as well as externally. It also focuses on his love interest and those that are closest to him, as well as the select few whose destinies intertwine with his own to become one intricate tapestry.

I will post the first few pages on this very site (if interested) or you can request a sample for your kindle from Amazon's sales page for that item. (Again, link to the item in the sidebar.)

Other than that, I've got nothing. Later all!

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Posted in crossblade, everlasting fate, leon vandesh, paladin

Welcome to the Typist Chronicles

Hello potential reader. Welcome to the Typist Chronicles, an experiment to convey the randomness that is the ideas for my book series to come, Everlasting Fate. Everlasting Fate is actually not the name of the book series itself, but rather the umbrella or project name of the series as a whole.

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?

Did your brain just melt, or are you confused as to why you're even here? Well guess what: I'm confused. But glad you made it to be sure!

The Typist Chronicles actually began a few weeks ago when I seriously got to writing and realized I should have been keeping notes (D'oh!). Hopefully you'll follow me as I chronicle my way into becoming a real, recognized author, rather than just another guy at a keyboard, punching keys and filling white space. My goal is not fame or fortune, but rather to make a mark on the world. Well that... and to fill up some of the free time I have during the day while I watch my 19 month old son!

I'll be posting some status updates soon (tomorrow probably) as well as the original entries in the Typist Chronicles chronology.

I fare thee well newfound friend. Til next we meet.

- Coty Schwabe

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Posted in coty schwabe, crossblade, everlasting fate, leon vandesh