Midwest writers: become a writing fellow.

Last year I submitted a bunch of words and won a writing fellowship sponsored by Indiana's venerable, and philanthropic, Ball Foundation.  I packed my bags, hydroplaned across the state, through the rain and slid in to the U-shaped table just in time to meet the other eight writers, all amazing, from different backgrounds, and writing different genres or screenplays.  Most of us loved coffee. And laptops. And the late Alan Garinger. 

At the retreat we shared our love for books and swapped pages and raced to see who got up the earliest to write. Also, I was fortunate to meet a few other young adult writers, including two of my favorites: Leo DiCaprio loving Lara Elrich--WHO JUST LANDED AN AGENT! 'Tis true and good news. Look for Lara's novel THE HERO very soon. I also met candy loving rescue dog aficionado Michele Shaw, who will be agented for her contemporary YA (I know it, 'cause she's awesome). It was time worth spent, with amazing writers.

If you have the inclination and the time, here's how to submit your work.  

Good luck!

"Whoa. Slow down there," and other first page notes from a top agent.

My novel doesn't start in the right place.

It's okay. I knew it then. And I know it now. 

Last month I submitted my first 500 words for a seminar hosted by one of my favorite agents. There are two schools of thought regarding where to start your novel.  The first, and most controversial is beginning your scene and first paragraph in Media Res, or in "the middle of things."  Here, the writer plops a reader into the middle of the action, sometimes in the middle of dialogue.  It's tricky, this Media Res, usually reserved for shorts or flash fiction.  This is how I began my novel.

However, many agents advise against Media Res, and offer this advise: start your novel with a little background.  Allow your reader to have an introduction with your characters. Turn on some music. Buy us a drink. Ease into the scene. Of course, this easing and schmoozing has to be done while building suspense and tension.

The lovely agent took the time to offer some wise comments including "slow down." Let us get to know your characters first before we slam them into action.  Also, she also offered this advise:

IF YOU START THE STORY AND HAVE TO FLASH BACK TO ANOTHER SCENE WITHIN 500 WORDS, YOU DIDN'T START YOUR STORY IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

Thank you, lovely agent. I agree, and am off to re-write my first chapter.