tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post5570435357718040867..comments2023-09-14T17:10:53.917-04:00Comments on Writer's Outworld: QK Round 5: I'll Stand Bayou VS Don't Mess with an Assassin MomMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934646615884109998noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-37154606723112899582018-06-28T19:14:17.103-04:002018-06-28T19:14:17.103-04:00I love these both. Honestly, you’ve both done a gr...I love these both. Honestly, you’ve both done a great job. But for me, one of them has a stronger voice. <br /><br />Victory to I'LL STAND BAYOUThe Red Cardigannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-75735080616496250802018-06-28T17:37:11.863-04:002018-06-28T17:37:11.863-04:00Congrats to you both for making the final four! Th...Congrats to you both for making the final four! These are both excellent and in tip top shape.<br /><br />In the end, this is totally subjective, but the voice in one just really drew me in.<br /><br />VICTORY TO STAND BAYOUGood Janetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-43591802318928458642018-06-28T15:58:10.808-04:002018-06-28T15:58:10.808-04:00Title: I'll Stand Bayou
Query:
This is my fi...Title: I'll Stand Bayou<br /><br />Query: <br />This is my first time seeing this one, and it sounds like a lot of fun. I adore NOLA, and it’s a great spot for stories like this! I see shades of “Ghost Train to New Orleans,” here too. <br /><br />The author could definitely cut the query down a bit. I feel like the author sort of harps on the same few plot points too much. I'd reduce the repetition and give us some more flavor of the other things in the book (the relevant ones if possible.) That way we get a stronger idea of the comedy. <br /><br />The only other thing I noted was that the author really makes the top of the 2nd paragraph stark with “Thad’s got a plan.” For me, this seems ill used. The previous paragraph indicates he’s had a plan for a while, so it seems odd to state this again in such a dramatic fashion. <br /><br />First 250 words:<br />Lovely atmosphere, and strong story telling. My only quibble is that in New Orleans, people visit cemeteries for all sorts of reasons. They are sort of touristy. I googled the name of the one used, and came up empty, so I assume it is fictional. However, I’m not sure the taxi driver would assume this, even with Thad dressed this way. <br /><br />-----------------------------------------<br /><br />Title: Don't Mess with an Assassin Mom<br /><br />Query: <br />The sentence structure of the first paragraph is pretty rough. The first one is a pretty long run on, and so is the second. You also repeat “they don’t know,” over and over. The repetition does not really appear to be for effect, and mainly serves to make me concerned about the overall quality of the writing of the story. <br /><br />In the 2nd paragraph you call her both Marybeth and Valentina. I’d encourage you to stick with one, or at least make a joke about how she’s known by them both. <br /><br />I’d likely change the word “child” in the first paragraph to “son,” since that’s how he is referred to later. <br /><br />I like the statement of stakes. <br /><br />First 250 Words: <br /><br />So Marybeth/Valentina has had at least 3 kids now. So I’m not sure the 2 months of maternity leave would be the time frame referenced for “getting it together.” I’d think she’d say something in her voice that reflects more of a “You’d think by third kid, I’d have this down,” sort of feel. <br /><br />I like the detail that she has to pump so even though she’s 5 minutes from home he still has to wait roughly 15 minutes more for her to pump, but I had to read it twice to actually figure it out. It might just be I’m tired, but it wouldn’t hurt to sort of ease the reader into it. Remember first pages are about being invited in. I like Marybeth/Valentina’s voice, it’s edgy without being too obtuse. <br /><br />The closing bits are pure gold. <br /><br />-----------------------------------------<br /><br />Victory to: I'll Stand Bayou<br />Honestly it came down to Queries for me. The query for I'll Stand Bayou isn’t perfect, but it needs less work than Don't Mess with an Assassin Mom. <br />PickyPerusernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-76482068302473648572018-06-28T14:51:51.504-04:002018-06-28T14:51:51.504-04:00I love both of these, but my absolute favorite is ...I love both of these, but my absolute favorite is the whole thriller idea behind Don't Mess with an Assassin Mom.<br /><br />Victory to Don't Mess with an Assassin Mom!Bellanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-57704327672042069512018-06-28T12:35:02.662-04:002018-06-28T12:35:02.662-04:00These matches are brutal. But I wanna step in and ...These matches are brutal. But I wanna step in and give <br /><br />VICTORY TO STAND BAYOU for voice and ambience. Theofaninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-56441087671546799562018-06-28T01:09:35.227-04:002018-06-28T01:09:35.227-04:00These final matches are SO tough! I'd gladly r...These final matches are SO tough! I'd gladly read either of these. Personally, I'm slightly more sold by one of the queries.<br /><br />Victory to Don't Mess with an Assassin Mom!!Mabel Pinesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-66201972849631151072018-06-28T00:18:55.444-04:002018-06-28T00:18:55.444-04:00I’ll Stand Bayou
Your first 250 are great! I was ...I’ll Stand Bayou<br /><br />Your first 250 are great! I was sucked in. After reading it thought I think you should add in your query that Thad is a Warden NOT by choice, but rather it’s a calling he can’t escape. Otherwise, I find the “hell-bent” thing kind of clichéd.<br /><br />Assassin Mom<br /><br />This premise is great. I love the dueling mother loyalty you have going on. It’s a relatable situation many of us can understand without ever having been in the mob.<br /><br />VICTORY to I’LL STAND BAYOU !!!! Jumping Jellybeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-35644504947596661112018-06-27T20:27:13.826-04:002018-06-27T20:27:13.826-04:00Mother Trucker! I wan't signed copies of BOTH ...Mother Trucker! I wan't signed copies of BOTH of these! Also, it's cruel and unusual torture to make me have to choose. It's like...utterly ridiculous. Can we call it a tie? We'll have three finalist in round 6.... No? Okay. <br /><br />That being said, I'm always on the hunt for new, amazing Urban Fantasy and Bayou, you've got the voice. I love the idea of a supernatural prison, and I think you've done really well. I do wonder why we're starting in the cab, which if I could keep reading, I might know. I'm just wondering if the cabbie is gonna become some cool side kick. Otherwise, why not just start at the cemetery maybe? The voice is absolutely amazing and either way, I'd keep reading. <br /><br />Assassin Mom...I LOVE THIS IDEA! The plot sounds amazing, and I love that while people on the outside think she has a wholesome life, that you show the reality of a mom with multiple kids, and how it isn't a picnic. I WANT TO READ THE WHOLE THING! Now. Can I please? <br /><br />No? Not till the contest is over? I can't have either of them? <br /><br />BOOOO<br /><br />Okay, I'll stop stalling. <br /><br />.....<br />......<br />.......<br />........<br /><br />Victory: DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM! <br /><br />Altered Carbonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-12715090527430374862018-06-27T16:30:42.585-04:002018-06-27T16:30:42.585-04:00Congratulations to both of you! Fantastic work all...Congratulations to both of you! Fantastic work all around, and thank you for sharing it.<br /><br />Bayou: The query cracked me up—your use of language and humor are spot on, and clue us in well to the novel's narrative voice. I feel like the 1st 250 start a teensy bit slow, though—specifically, the first paragraph could be sharpened or even cut, bringing us straight to the weird smell in the car, and setting a creepy tone that hooks the reader without knowing why yet. Still, the voice is great, and hints at both action and humor to come.<br /><br />Assassin Mom: Very impressed by the work you've done on revising the query since Round 1! It packs a more immediate punch up front in the first paragraph, and promises a tightly written plot. The writing in the 1st 250 is dynamite, too—ultimately that ended up being the deciding factor for me.<br /><br />This was hard, because I was blown away by I'll Stand Bayou's query—both queries, really—but with a stronger 1st 250…<br /><br />Victory to DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM!Earthbound Misfitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-80765813912047732352018-06-27T16:12:51.987-04:002018-06-27T16:12:51.987-04:00Both are great but I like the sarcastic voice of o...Both are great but I like the sarcastic voice of one over the other so I say victory to: I'll Stand Bayou.Thaddeus Spinsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-72384534312036366042018-06-27T15:29:20.285-04:002018-06-27T15:29:20.285-04:00Congrats on making it this far! That’s a huge acco...Congrats on making it this far! That’s a huge accomplishment.<br /><br />Another pair of entries I saw in round two and both loved. Why on earth are you doing this to me. WHY. To be totally frank, I would pick up either of these at a store. The fantasy nerd in me wants to get lost in the voice of BAYOU, but the action-based plot of ASSASSIN MOM, not to mention I haven’t read anything like it before, is killer.<br /><br />VICTORY TO ASSASSIN MOMMrs. Winchesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-28765198425856933382018-06-27T15:20:10.772-04:002018-06-27T15:20:10.772-04:00I hadn't had the chance to read either of thes...I hadn't had the chance to read either of these in previous rounds. They were both such a pleasure to read! <br /><br />I'LL STAND BAYOU has an interesting concept, and Thad's voice seems to pop right off the page in the query. However as we got into the first 250, I didn't feel that same amount of voice. It was there in snatches, but I definitely wanted more. <br /><br />DONT MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM has a killer query. Despite having a lot going on, it was extremely easy to follow. Even when it went from calling the MC Marybeth to Valentina, which takes skill. The opening pages are far too relatable for this mom of two. I like where it left off and it gave me the push I needed to want to keep reading. <br /><br />So keep that in mind, victory goes to DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM Lady Acacianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-26125720777533381032018-06-27T11:37:51.566-04:002018-06-27T11:37:51.566-04:00Oooooh these are both so good this hurts me.
I...Oooooh these are both so good this hurts me.<br /><br />I'LL STAND BAYOU, the second paragraph of your query reads the tiniest bit stagnant. We want to get a sense of what changes early in the book to cause the course of events. Even to say that "wards and supernaturals start going missing" and then note Thad's plan, would work a bit better than "wards and supernaturals are going missing". That is, unless the inciting incident is something different. Otherwise, fabulous.<br /><br />ASSASSIN MOM, this is great. On your first 250, I recommend changing "The heater in the minivan doesn't work well, not in this kind of cold" to "The heater of the minivan doesn't work well in this kind of cold."<br /><br />So, I'm asking myself (1) which of these has more tension on the first page, and (2) which of the two blurbs would read better on the back of a book? They're both good blurbs, but in my mind, one edges out the other just a little. And that same one has more first page tension. So:<br /><br />VICTORY TO DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOMTo The Sword 159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-86702301106880615972018-06-27T11:31:52.257-04:002018-06-27T11:31:52.257-04:00Greetings, brave Kombatants! Congratulations on ma...Greetings, brave Kombatants! Congratulations on making it to the final rounds! I'm so pleased to see these entries, both of which are new to me. I'd happily vote them both as winners in any other round, so wow... this will be a tough one.<br /><br />Both queries and concepts are strong, but DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM stands out to me for having a concept I haven't seen in some form before (urban fantasy is a bit tough for finding new ways to tread familiar ground, though I love the comps and the voice in I'LL STAY BAYOU). <br /><br />A word of advice to the author of ASSASSIN MOM, though: the final paragraph of comps is really complicated. You use two style comps and three "it will appeal to" reader comps, which means there are five different works you're asking an agent to juggle and combine in thinking about yours. I'd cut these down considerably, perhaps to just one of your "it will appeal to" comps so you can focus on the style comps, instead.<br /><br />Ultimately, though, for its fresher concept and strong first page, victory to DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM.<br /><br />Best,<br />The Queen of ThornsThe Queen of Thornsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-26505421802167509452018-06-27T10:56:05.312-04:002018-06-27T10:56:05.312-04:00This was a really tough one. I thought both of the...This was a really tough one. I thought both of the entries had great tension and voice. However, I thought Assassin Mom's first 250 was a bit stronger so...<br /><br />Victory to DON'T MESS WITH AN ASSASSIN MOM!SylpheWingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-67691906727238009442018-06-27T10:01:38.598-04:002018-06-27T10:01:38.598-04:00These are both so good. Assassin Mom's query i...These are both so good. Assassin Mom's query is a little easier to follow- short, sweet, and to the point. I love the premise so much! But ultimately, I think the voice of Bayou is a little stronger and I love the first 250.<br /><br />Victory to I'LL STAND BAYOU! Mrs. Will Herondalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-8736429593313640872018-06-27T09:44:37.135-04:002018-06-27T09:44:37.135-04:00These are both great. My vote is because one of th...These are both great. My vote is because one of them literally has me wanting to email the author for the next page. Seriously...send me the next page. <br /><br />VICTORY TO ASSASSIN MOMNo one of consequencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-43430111100624758802018-06-27T09:15:09.513-04:002018-06-27T09:15:09.513-04:00Seriously, these are both extraordinary... I reall...Seriously, these are both extraordinary... I really don't know how I'm deciding this... coin toss? Eenie Meenie Minie Moo? (You'll never know... I won't either!)<br /><br />*Sigh* VICTORY to I'LL STAND BAYOU!Red Ink Slingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034511096795820355.post-48937853404310298172018-06-27T08:06:10.241-04:002018-06-27T08:06:10.241-04:00Judges, please vote as a reply to this comment.Judges, please vote as a reply to this comment.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05934646615884109998noreply@blogger.com