The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading

[Agnosticsherbet]

The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading
As a reader, a writer, and an agent, I read thousands of stories a year—or at least the opening pages of thousands of stories. And, all other things being equal, the reason I most often stop reading is a lack of narrative thrust.

Narrative thrust is the taut building of story, beat by beat, scene by scene, chapter by chapter, using the complexities of plot and character to propel the story forward in a dramatic arc that peaks at the climax. You must write each scene so that it leads logically to the next, as if you were connecting a model train, car by car, presenting story questions as you proceed down the track, pushing the action forward to its inevitable, if unpredictable, ending.

[SheilaT]

1. The best thing for a new writer is to attend

a conference or workshop where there are agents and editors read the beginning of a story or novel and then stop exactly where they would in the course of their job.

I've attended more than one of those, and it's possible I'll never fully master the art of writing so that others will really want to read it, but I've definitely improved.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. I work with a large group of authors in a Facebook private page Writers World

It is safe, and we critique our work to make it better. Thee are quite a few published writes, self published an amateurs.

Another place called Critique Corner is very is very good.

I also belong to a local writers groups in San Diego.

The best way to improve is to get other writers to critique our work. It can be tough, because no one likes to be criticized.

These are all free, and dedicated to making us better writers.

[SheilaT]

3. I've been unable to find a writers group

that works for me. I write science fiction, not fantasy, and many otherwise good people who might be good at critiquing have never even read s-f, so they simply cannot be helpful.

I am still holding out for an in-person group, even though I know many like on-line stuff.

I'm far from a beginner, have been published professionally several times, and I need a group where most of the writers will be better than I am, and so far I'm unable to find that. I live in Santa Fe, lots and lots of s-f writers here, but the pros, somewhat understandably don't really want someone like me in their group. I dropped a hint to one of them recently, and was very politely turned down. No surprise. Oh, well.

[aswanson]

4. What makes you keep reading??

Thank you so much for writing this! I'm always looking for tips as to what makes writing publishable. Got any other tips? Something that always makes you keep reading??

[SheilaT]

5. As I understand it,

what makes the agent or editor keep on reading is more or less that the writer doesn't make some truly bonehead mistakes in the first few paragraphs. And that the story is interesting enough to keep the agent/editor engaged.

Again, attending a workshop of some kind where agents and editors read the first page of a work, and tell if they'd keep on reading or if they'd stop, and why, is incredibly useful.

I recently had the first page of something of mine read aloud and ll the agents/editors (there were five or six of them) would stop reading less than half way through that first page. Rather discouraging, but I was essentially withholding an important piece of information a bit longer than I should have. Which is one of my flaws as a writer. So I realize that if that particular story is going to be successful, I have to put that very important bit in the first paragraph.

I may never be a published writer, but I've learned a lot.

[Agnosticsherbet]

6. First) Get the Grammar Right...

Second) What ever it takes, before you submit make sure the story is clean of errors. Beta readers you can trust are a requirement, especially beta readers that tell you what is wrong. I use Microsoft Word to read the story aloud to me. I catch more errors from hearing my words than seeing them on the page.
Three) Read! The discipline to write everyday is critical, but reading everyday is just as important. I've developed a habit of reading with a red pencil. When I see something I like or something I think doesn't work, I mark it.
Four) Find a support group, I belong to a private group on Facebook where I can post parts of a work in progress for critique. The group has both unpublished and published writers. Online you can find Critique Circle. I attend a writer's group in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore.