Carly Watters's Blog, page 14

Webinar: How To Get An Agent. Includes query critique!

I’m doing another webinar! Sign up here. I will give a presentation AND critique your query! How to Get an Agent By Carly Watters Format: Live Webinar Live Webinar Date: Thursday, October 16, 2014 Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Length: … Continue reading →

5 Ways To Write Real-Speak Dialogue

Dialogue is a strange part of writing fiction. On one hand, it’s supposed to sound like real people, but on the other hand it’s supposed to advance plot. How is it supposed to do so many things? 5 WAYS TO … Continue reading →

#pitmad Twitter Pitch Contest Sept 9

Ready to pitch your manuscript? On Twitter of all places? For all you brave folks with finished manuscripts here are the details: Try #pitmad on Sept 9 from 8am to 8pm EST. See more info on Brenda Drake’s blog. And … Continue reading →

The Secret to Writing Good Characters

Characters make or break a novel, especially for agents. When agents get 100s of manuscripts submitted per month, what is it that draws us to some books and not others? Characters. What agents look for in a main character: Degree … Continue reading →

How Writers Can Show Agents They’re Career Authors

An agent’s job is part project manager, part contracts consultant, part therapist, part editor, and always full-time advocate. We try to be so many things for our writers and all agents have particular strengths in one part of that equation. … Continue reading →

4 Tips To Increase Goodreads Book Promotion

Goodreads: everyone’s favourite social book tracking site. What more can you want as an author than to be where the bibliophiles are? There are many ways to use Goodreads, but from the perspective of an author trying to get the word … Continue reading →

What’s the best writing advice you’ve received?

We all know that “write every day” isn’t everyone’s rule. For all the writing advice available there is a counter argument. Many writers have said there are no rules to writing. Elmore Leonard tries “to leave out the part readers … Continue reading →

Editorial Internships (Remote) at P.S. Literary – Accepting Applications until Aug 22nd

P.S. Literary Agency (PSLA) is accepting applications for two fall internships. There are two remote Editorial Intern positions. Applicants should want to gain experience at an agency, have a flexible schedule, be able to devote 10 hours a week, and be comfortable working from … Continue reading →

4 Ways To Edit Your Book Back on Track

When you go back to edit, do you ever find your book has lost its way? Not sure what it is anymore? Too close to it to see it clearly? This happens with many manuscripts I see. Writers query these novels still … Continue reading →

7 Ways To Make Yourself An Easy Author to Work With

After query letter tips, the second most popular question I get asked is: “How do I make myself agreeable in an agent’s eyes?” It’s a great question. This is a personal business that’s all about great working relationships. Firstly, you have … Continue reading →