Tips from Book Editors

Last week I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas, TX. There were almost 500 attendees and many editors and agents. I'm still recuperating. Have you ever wondered how to go about pleasing an editor? Basically, they want the same things: good stories, good openings, passionate writing and beginnings (hooks) that won't let them put the story down. Here are a few tips to put you on the right path. They're shared by all editors, no matter whether they work in the Christian arena or the general market.

1) Write passionately.

2) Study the guidelines.

3) Read and write.

4) It's all about the story.

5) It's important for writers to know who they are and what their brand will be. Have a sense of who you are.

6) Don't just think out of the box, blow it up.

7) Your proposal is a story.

8) WOW us with a great opening.

9) Write the whole book.

10)Good story, good characters. Let your characters tell me what they want to tell me.

11)The industry has a very long memory.

12)Find a hook.

Take a look at your WIP (work-in-progress). Is your hook strong? Will it WOW a reaer? Are your characters three-dimensional? Don't be afraid to rewrite. Don't be afraid to start over from scratch. Finish your book, then start at the beginning and examine each word, each sentence, each paragraph. Flesh it out again.

Are you still passionate about your story now that you've reached the end?

I hope so.

Jess