Last weeked we welcomed three kicking literary agents – Tina Wexler of ICM, Linda Pratt of Sheldon Fogelman, and Jennifer DeChiara of Jennifer DeChiara Literary – to Agents Day in Kansas City. What a weekend!
Linda started off the morning with an excellent talk on how writing is a lot like hopscotch. One tip I found helpful was how to figure out if your pacing is too slow or tension too subtle. She suggested you write up a summary of what happens in each chapter, breaking it down by action.
Jennifer DeChiara stressed the importance of pitching and appearing like a pro when you meet an editor or agent, whether in person or on paper, because you literally have seconds to wow them. (I hope to soon share some exciting news about a fellow writer who did just that!)
Tina Wexler reiterated much of what Jennifer and Linda said, but also reminded me of what I think is the most important thing a writer can bring to this process: the journey you take should be as fun as it is difficult.
They offered so much more, and I will skim my notes and post them in the days to come. These ladies would serve any writer well. On a personal note, the best part of the weekend was hanging out and chatting as women, not writers and agents.
And the food rocked, too. Thanks, Carla and Helen for pulling an all-nighter to make sure the sandwiches were as fresh as possible. And thanks, too, to Jeff, Dave, Daniel and Xander for hauling all the goods.
Now, swing by www.heartlandwriters.com and check out what’s up in KC.
Happy weekends, everyone!
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