The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Plugging in Mental Modules
20 snips
Apr 9, 2026 They dissect two real query letters and flag the biggest pitching mistakes writers make. They argue why subplots and vague “vibes” wreck momentum and why intros need character interiority. They call out performative openings, bloated author bios, and what agents actually want to see in a pitch.
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Replace Rhetorical Questions With Clear Stakes
- Do avoid rhetorical questions and vague 'vibes' in queries; write declarative sentences that state the stakes and conflict clearly.
- Carly rewrote a question into a sentence showing Stephanie is distracted by two love interests while protecting the club's reputation.
Leave Subplots Out Of The Query
- Avoid including subplots in your query letter unless they directly affect the main plot's stakes and protagonist's arc.
- Carly flagged a friend's Tinder subplot as unnecessary because it doesn't advance Stephanie's core conflict at the club.
Metaphors Kill Query Momentum
- Excessive metaphor or 'vibey' sentences in a query slow momentum and create confusion about plot specifics.
- Carly flagged the final paragraph's grass-stain metaphors as flavorful but uninformative for query purposes.
