Random Writing Tips by Angie Ledbetter

Everyone is tired of hearing the odds are stacked against writers, and how selling a first novel is impossible in this economy. We're saturated with pessimistic ponderings from publishers and literary agents. We know the bad odds against ever getting a poetry chap book published. And yet we keep on writing, working hard and waiting.

So, while we wait for things to "get better," how about some hopeful stuff to read? According to agent Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency, the news for debut authors isn't all bad. In a recent blog post she advises, "I would be concentrating on writing the best freaking novel you are capable of writing because lots of debuts astound the market." Read the rest here at her blog: http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2008/11/still-room-for-debut.html

Author/blogger Holly Kennedy thinks we should purchase a bottle of Bum Glue and get busy. I think you'll agree her post is an inspiring read. Check out the blog entry: http://author-in-the-trenches.blogspot.com/2008/11/must-have-for-serious-writers_18.html

Along with these two ladies' thoughts, I'll share some good tips I got from a writing conference not too long ago. The NYT best-selling authors were generous with their tippage too, so here are a few tidbits to file away for later:

• Successful writers run the business of writing like any other--with a business plan. Update it every six months or so, and always annually.


• Start and keep a prospective agent file with research notes, including who gets the big sales and large advances.


• Look for agents who love what you write; don't waste your time on those who don't.


• A good friend and successful author who's writing book #5 or #6 now advises using the "shotgun" approach to finding an agent. When your synopsis and query packet is as good as it can be, send it far and wide. This certainly also applies to submitting poetry.


• When your manuscript is accepted, or while it is making the rounds, begin work on your second. In general, always have submissions "out there" to increase your acceptance odds.


• Check the shelves of your favorite bookstore (brick & mortar, as well as online) to see what's hot in your genre. It's old advice, but still good: read, read, read.


• Follow the rules and preferences of the person(s) and place(s) to which you plan to submit. If you don't, you'll likely end up in the slush pile.


• Have a log line/hook line/tag line for your book, and one for your writing style--a short, catchy description that will help an agent or editor grasp and remember your book. [Ex. "Ledbetter writes as if she is the love child of Wally Lamb and Dorothy Allison."] If crafting poetry, be ready to describe your "voice." Being able to describe your work's flavor smoothly and succinctly is important.


• Stay busy. There is no such thing as writers block or an inspiring muse who hovers around and only visits on occasion. Productivity depends on keeping your fingers on the keyboard.

Okay, after five minutes of a lecture or a page of notes, our brains turn off. In the interest of mental health, I'll stop here for now.

So, how's about some tit for tat? What's the best writing tip you ever got?


Angie Ledbetter is a freelance writer, author, and sometime poet. When not wrangling her three teens or teaching school, she works on various writing projects, including a fiction novel. She enjoys being part of The Rose & Thorn.