Phoning it in
Posted in writing on June 26th, 2009 by andrew mackay – Be the first to commentPhoning it in: Perform an act in a perfunctory, uncommitted fashion, as if it didn’t matter. (From the Urban Dictionary).
I’m only sort of phoning it in. Literally, I got this idea from a phone call with my friend, brother-in-law, and sometime partner-in-crime, Sam.
Alexander Field recently posted a list of the top ten marks of a bad query letter. It’s brilliant. I think my favorite is probably #7:
7. Astounding (dare I say it, ridiculous) claims about your book. “My book will become a bestseller.” “This story will leave you breathless.” Let the work speak for itself.
Seriously, my blog will absolutely blow you away. You will be unable to comprehend the obvious awesomeness borne in my ability to compose sentences. Really.
Really seriously, Alexander has some good tips in that list. It was so encouraging to see that the best way to get an editor on your side is to write well. Encouraging but intimidating. It’s not just the sales pitch, it’s the work.
