A Novel Idea at Coffee and Critique

The latest change at Coffee and Critique is a result of a brilliant suggestion from long-time member Jack Zerr.

In addition to critiquing essays, articles, short stories, and chapters from novels, our group will begin reviewing entire manuscripts in bulk.

Jack developed some draft guidelines, which were distributed in advance of our Tuesday meeting. During our meeting we discussed and made suggestions to the draft guidelines. Comments received from members unable to attend the meeting were also included in the discussion.

Based on our feedback and consensus, Jack is making revisions. Notably, we will allow four weeks to read each manuscript before providing comments, and comments will focus on an overview summary rather than detailed copyediting/proofreading.

Sarah Angleton, secretary of Coffee and Critique, graciously volunteered to send out future completed manuscripts to all participants. Les Thompson was volunteered (by Jack, I believe) to serve as sergeant-at-arms in case the discussion gets out of hand. (JK! Ha! Ha!)

The first manuscript we will provide our summary review on belongs to Doyle Suit.

Participating members will deliver typed comments to Doyle at our meeting on April 12, during which time we will also discuss our impressions of and suggestions for his manuscript.

How's that for a novel idea?

NIPW - It's Over. I'm Sad

I'm home from Kentucky. This workshop has been one of the best experiences I've had as a writer. The level of writing the participants exhibited was extraordinary. I was amazed at the variety of "novels in progress" at the workshop. Mind boggling!

I have some work to do to finish my synopsis, so I can get it in the mail to two of the agents I talked with this week. And let me just say again (kiss, kiss) how awesome they were.

For all of you planning pitches in the coming months, let me just say this. It's your novel, you wrote it, so therefore you know it better than anyone. Don't try and memorize your pitch. It will come out sounding forced. Instead talk about your book from your heart and head. You know your characters, give them their due. These agents are people just like you and I. And if you pitch to one and she doesn't like it, it's not the end of the world. There are more agents out there. Oh, and another thing. When you pitch, take a breath now and again. Give the agent an opportunity to say something.

If they tell you it's not for them, then thank them for their time and move on. Don't argue.

Winding Down -- Novels in Progress

Well, it's almost over. Just the celebration party tonight, and I'll be heading home tomorrow. But I do have something to celebrate. I had two agents request to see more of my novel. So, as Martha would say, "That's a good thing."

And I have to tell you. All of the agents and the editor here at NIPW were extremely approachable. Not a scary one in the bunch.

Thanks to Jeff and NIPW for making it possible.

Still (a)Live from Novels in Progress

Great week. Yesterday we worked on our pitches and did practice pitch sessions in the afternoon. I'm still revising my synopsis with the great tips I've received this week.
Also had our group critique session with our facilitator. I've received great feedback and am looking forward to coming home and putting an extra spit shine on the manuscript.

I'm fired up and ready to pitch this baby to an agent. That happens tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Once again, I'll say this workshop is a class act.