STATUS: Going on vaca for about 10 days. Blogging could be a little sporadic.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? PRAIRIE RAIN by Michael Stribling
Just a note to let any Colorado folks know that Jamie is going to be in town next Saturday. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET is a One Book pick for the city of Broomfield.
He will be at the Broomfield Auditorium on November 6, 2010. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Jamie is also hosting a writer’s workshop earlier that day. I’m not sure if that seminar is already full but you can call 720.887.2350 to find out or email library@broomfield.org.
There is also a corresponding Bitter and Sweet Art Exhibition.
How cool is that? CU even did a Jazz evening featuring the music of Oscar Holden (who plays such a key role in the novel)
I cannot thank Mayor Pat Quinn enough for this terrific opportunity. If you live in town, we’d love to see you there!
This is unrelated to your blog but I hope you can help.
I’ve read conflicting information on what to do when an agent has a copy of your ms but since sending you’ve made changes to it. Is it okay to notify them of the changes? Does this irk agents? I’m sure I’m not the only writer to have experienced this.
Before you yell at me for sending an ms to an agent in the first place. Know that the ms is complete, was complete at the time. Because an unpublished manuscript is something that can always be improved upon, I did another round of revisions.
Thank you for any help or suggestions you can offer.
Oh, Kristin, how fun! Go, Jamie!
@ D. Friend
Well, I don’t think anybody’s going to yell. Revisions happen and agents understand this. The trick is to use common sense.
When should you offer a revision–assuming the agent has your manuscript?
Scene 1: Changed names of three characters, added two more pages to a chapter.
Answer: No. Do not send. You will go on making revisions like this up to the day you send off the “final” copy to your publisher. Do not pester agents with minor changes.
Scene 2: Changed heroine’s love interest/chopped 100 pages, added 110 new pages/decided not to murder the main character’s brother/you get the idea. Substantive edits here.
Answer: Not every agent appreciates this, but the fact is that you no longer have the same book. Most agent responses that I’ve read say you may ask if they would like to see the new manuscript. Briefly explain why the new one is substantially different from the old. If an agent agrees to read your revised manuscript, do not abuse the privilege. Once is enough.
Now, there does come a time when you have to stop revising. That’s why it’s recommended that you allow beta readers to comment on the manuscript first–so that you’ve already gotten feedback and revised accordingly before you send the manuscript out to agents.
Bottom line: It happens. Try to be the responsible writer who learns from the mistake the first time, and only does it once.
Good luck with your projects!
I wish I lived nearby, HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET is one of my favorite books.
It sounds like a great series of events to celebrate.
Best wishes to all involved.
L.
Great news, I wish I could attend. I love the book, and saw on Jamie’s website that it’s been optioned for a movie.
It always seems like all the good stuff happens somewhere else. I loooooove that book so much I read it three times.
Congrats to Jamie–that’s wonderful! Have a great vacation, Kristin. 🙂