by Bill Baldwin
Elizabeth Kracht’s book The Author’s Checklist, stands as an excellent, thorough resource for book writers of all persuasions (though more focused on fiction). In her presentation (via Zoom), Kracht summarized the critical issues we need to focus on while writing, providing insights on self-editing and sharing advice on how to work with agents.
Self-editing, major points:
First, be sure to properly format your manuscript: particularly important for fiction and memoir. In general, your manuscripts should be double-spaced with one-inch margins all around. However, before submitting to an agent or publisher, research their own specific guidelines! Provide whatever they want.
In your actual writing, pay attention to the structure of your work: how and where should you begin your story? What is the setting: the where and when? What’s the first thing we see? What is the inciting incident? What forces your characters to act?
What are your themes? You can have several, but it is best to develop only one per chapter.
What is your timeline? The more time you cover, the more you may be tempted to summarize the action. You want to show rather than tell; showing is more immediate.
Consider point-of-view. There are advantages to first-person, but third-person helps you avoid telling.
How have your characters arrived where they are now? What is the backstory? You can avoid telling by using dialogue, but don’t let the dialogue get long-winded. Keep things moving!
Finding an agent, major points:
Get your editing done before you look for an agent.
For fiction, submit a query letter and synopsis (around 50 pages).
For memoir, submit a query letter and book proposal.
Be sure to follow the agency’s submission guidelines!
Where to find agents? Suggestions include Publisher’s Marketplace and Writer’s Digest, as well as writing retreats and conferences (including online conferences).
You also want to build your own platforms. These can includes journals, essays, and so on. Check out the American Association of Literary Agents.
During Q&A, I asked about internal monologue, especially in a first-person POV. Knecht suggested limiting any internal dialogue to perhaps a single paragraph at a time.
Afterwards, it occurred to me that internal monologue can include thinking, remembering, and observing. Keep this in mind to give your internal monologues variety.
In conclusion: Keep the story moving! Don’t drag! (Of course “drag” depends on personal taste). Consider how the reader will react to your words. What do you enjoy reading (or not)? What can you learn from that?
I heartily recommend The Author’s Checklist.
And Thank you, Elizabeth Kracht!