The agent I will be querying liked the first 500 words and said she wanted to continue reading, at which point she asked me to query with the first 10 pages. But she also had some comments within those first 500 words about things that would need to be changed.
My question: when I query, do I submit the original 10 pages, so that she is (quite literally) reading on? Or do I submit revised pages, to show that I am a good little author who can work with comments and revise accordingly? I'm leaning toward the latter, but I really don't know.
I need advice, writer friends. What would you do?
That's hard to say. It would depend on what kind of changes were suggested. If it is about the story itself, I doubt an agent would expect to see changes already. If it is about fixing grammar, typoes, etc., then it wouldn't hurt to make the fixes. I'm not sure it would hurt to make the changes.
ReplyDeleteThe changes are not grammar or typo fixes. They involve a disorienting beginning and an info dump (I know, I know, but somehow it seemed fitting for my character to do the latter. apparently not. Lesson learned.)
ReplyDeleteI'd amend. I think IMO the agent wouldn't have made those suggestions if he/she didn't want you to consider making the changes. It could also help you to show you're taking the advice on board and recognizing that your story can be improved.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps :)
Rach
Yeah, especially if she likes how you changed it. You could impress the agent.
ReplyDeleteAlison, I think I'd work on changes before I sent the first ten pages. If it were me, I'd want my writing to be the best it can be in a query. Plus, it shows you are willing to make changes.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd revise if they were relatively easy to address--if it is a full rewrite, or has repercussions a long way in, then it might be prohibitive... or if later in the 10 pages gives a REASON for anything she had trouble with in 500 words, then maybe no... but I think sometimes agents do that to see how well writers respond to feedback.
ReplyDeleteRach and Ted: Thanks, I think you're right.
ReplyDeleteAndrea: I definitely want it to be the best I can write. I'm pretty happy with the first ten, but now I'm unhappy with the rest.
Hart: I need to revise the whole ms, so I suppose I may as well start at the beginning.
I'd submit the revised pages, reminding her that she suggest changes and you hope you've addressed her issues.
ReplyDeleteWell, something like that ... you can word it better.
I think I agree with revising them carefully.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, and congrats on the partial!
Revised :) (What else can I add that hasn't been said already? ;) )
ReplyDeleteI'll add to the voices saying send revised pages. :) And good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I definitely plan to mention that I revised based on her comments. Now back to the MS, which I no longer like, after rewriting the intro. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you. Having intro dramas of my own at the moment :(
ReplyDeleteRach
This is a good question to ask: http://dear-editor.com/ She is great! Congratulations and good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Alison, I'm running late with comments and you've already had lots of answers but thought I'd just confirm what several have said already and what you evidently plan to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, revise the first 500wds and tell her you're sending revised pages. I agree with Hart; some agents definitely will offer suggestions and see how we as writers respond to that, whether we are really stubborn about changing things and whether we're able to respond positively to feedback. There were a few emails back and forth between me and my agent about revisions before she signed me, and I definitely think it's sometimes about them wanting to see how you'll respond.