The Shit No One Tells You About Writing When Characters Collide with Conflict
13 snips
Mar 12, 2026 They critique two query letters and first pages, one about an accountant heading to the brutal Mongol Derby and another a 1970s dual-POV sports romance about a trailblazing ultrarunner. Expect sharp notes on stakes, opening disruption, comps, voice, and how to make a query sell rather than summarize. Practical tips include trimming bios, clarifying genre, and sharpening emotional hooks.
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Shorten Author Bio And Link To Website
- Condense author bios in queries; include only credentials that matter to selling this book.
- Put full publication history, journals, and mentors on your website and link to it in the signature (Carly Watters).
Avoid Vague Motivations In Pitches
- Motivation phrasing matters: 'determined to do something for herself' reads plot-convenient.
- Replace vague motives with concrete, costly reasons so readers feel urgency (CeCe Lyra).
Use Numbers To Deepen Character Not Repeat Them
- Avoid repetitive numeric hooks unless they reveal character or conflict.
- Use the protagonist's accounting skills (data breakdowns, projections) to dramatize stakes instead of repeating the $16,000 figure (Carly Watters).
