You may have noticed I've not been around, again. Well, I have been feverishly working on my manuscript and it is final. I have begun the stress inducing querying process. I am a bit worried. Last year while I was quering my first WIP, my hair fell out in huge chunks (ok there were other things going on too, can't just blame querying). Here's to hoping I don't find it as stressful this time around.
One funny thing though. One of my wonderful, fabulous, marvelous, beta readers suggested that I needed to include a funny story for a character who didn't have much distinguishing characteristics. So... I added a fart story. It seemed the most natural thing to do. They were sitting around a campfire eating. Blazing Saddles came to mind. Viola, campfire fart story. Even if no one else laughs, my characters thought it was a riot. Except for one uptight character, she doesn't have much of a sense of humor. Anyhow, I have had readers comment about how different my blog writing is from my novel writing. I figure the fart story should fix this problem.
So will including a fart story help or hurt my book? I don't know. Only time will tell.
Hello Ello
My website is www.ellenoh.com - click on my picture to be directed there
About Me
- Ello - Ellen Oh
- Right outside of Washington, DC, United States
- Ello is short for Ellen Oh. Transplanted from Brooklyn, NY, I'm a lawyer, a writer, and a college instructor now living near the nations capital. I have three smart, beautiful little girls and an ultra-supportive husband who tells me to write every day so that maybe, one day, I'll actually get a book published. I'm repped by the amazing Joe Monti of Barry Goldblatt Literary. And what do you know, Da Man was right! My first book, Prophecy,Prophecy Series Bk 1, is being published by HarperTeen for release in Winter 2013! Life is very good.
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31 comments:
Of course a fart gag will help the book. Everyone loves a fart gag! :)
Good luck with your queries and wear a tight fitting hat (?)
I'm at the same stage you are. Got a rejection a few minutes ago as a matter of fact, but I have had one request thus far as well. Keep plugging away, we'll both get there eventually.
Good luck, Ello! I know how stressful and powerless the process can feel. Hopefully, you'll get some bites right off the bat! Very exciting. :)
I would love to see you write a humorous MG or YA book someday. Your experience as a parent of three brilliant, hilarious girls ought to come in handy. ;)
I'm sure the fart story will help. How could it not?
If it seems that replies are taking more time, remember that people are on vacation. Much luck, Ello.
Yay! So glad you're to the querying process. I need to get my tush in gear and finish my manuscript, too.
I'll repeat my email message - Yay, YOU!!!
I don't think the fart story will be a detraction... and I think it's fairly natural that your blog voice and fiction voice are different... I love both.
I'll repeat my email message - Yay, YOU!!!
I don't think the fart story will be a detraction... and I think it's fairly natural that your blog voice and fiction voice are different... I love both.
The fart story can only help. I am pro farts (though not a pro at farting, though it would be cool to be paid to fart).
Anyhow, good luck with that. I'll still be here, not writing.
Remember, NY is dead in August! But congrats on getting that polished beauty out! Good luck!
And at least the fart story was a parody on "Blazing Saddles" instead of say, "Deliverance"! Might have altered that scene JUST a little!
Keep it up and good luck!
Fart-free or not, best of luck!
I'll have my fingers crossed for you as you query!!
Woman, you need to get out more! *LOL*
GOOD LUCK, ELLO! /bootay shake!!!!!
if i were the agent, a fart story would be golden!
i am still waiting on some queries, but on the good side, i was called today to get started on the paper blog about the marathon training. i was also interviewed for a story about said blog. i am sure i came off as a doofus.
holla!
i believe that i've mentioned before that no one doesn't like a fart story...
I love a good fart story. :-)
Thanks to everyone for your good wishes! I am so appreciative of your support! I will keep you all informed!
Farts are good. They really are. Most people laugh.
I didn't laugh when the person I'm going to be working with has been farting around me for the last three days. Methinks she's got a bit too comfy around me. Gross!
Fart stories are great.
Farts on a plane suck. I should know - that's where I've been hanging lately.
Glad to see I'm not the only one delinquent at posting. Best of luck with your querying!! =)
Did you let Oldest be a beta reader? She's the target audience, no?
Congrats on being ready to query. Stay positive - I bet it'll WOW them PLUS it's got extra gas to go the distance.
You go Ello! WOOT!
no fears, ell... you'll do fine!
as for the fart story, most are good for at least a chuckle ;) lol
wishes you luck!!! and no hair falling out!
Good luck with querying!!!
Good luck on the query! I'm with Lana...you really do need to get out more, but fart stories can really be a gas. Unlike poop stories that tend to be messy.
Hey Ello, We you start to get stressed out over the query process, just think about the fart-part of your book! Or just talk to your children who apparently are a laugh a minute.
Don't stress it, girl. Just send the queries without much expectation in them. This process CAN be long...unless your Conduit, who is in a league of his own. ;o)But it only takes ONE right fit. And when someone passes on your manuscript, praise God that they didn't sign you when they weren't excited about it...I have a few writer friends who signed with an agent who did absolutely NOTHING with their project for the entire year of the contract. One sold her own work right when the year was up, and the agent STILL got their %...he did nothing. Trust that it'll fall into the right place, and NOT the wrong place.
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's better to have no agent than a bad one," was soooo right.
Let us know what happens!
PS...You can always cut out the farting if need be. ;o)
You're a nut, Ello! Good luck!!
Hope all goes well.
I was fortunate enough to see the Blazing Saddles fart scene for the first time as a 14 year old spotty teenager and nothing has been as funny since.
May your fart joke carry your MS to the top of the pile like a buoyant breath of fresh air.
How about a fart gag in the query? lol That'll make you stand out from the crord.
Seriously, query time is my favorite time. Means I've completed something and am going to market.
The only reaction to a rejection is: Next!
When are you gonna join Chris, Travis,Merry and me (and a whole bunch of agents) on Twitter?
Wishing you only the best luck for all good outcomes...
And soon!
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