#editortips for 07.05.12

@smoulderingsea: Don't query until you're ready. I'll give you one chance to send an "updated" version of a story. Most won't even give you that.  #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Yesterday we said don't open a query with a rhetorical question. Just FYI? It doesn't work that well in manuscripts, either. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Make sure character reactions are true to character/plausible, not flat, shallow reactions readers won't connect with. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: If characters do something illegal in public, they should have to deal with the repercussions. Someone will call the cops. #editortips*

@smoulderingsea: If you create a fictional town in the real world, at least give us some idea where it is in relation to real places. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Don't complain that it's unprofessional for agents & editors to discuss queries if you publicly post and analyze rejections. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Though really, if you're embarrassed for your query to be discussed publicly, how will you handle public reviews of your book? #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Btw, not advocating mocking queries publicly. That's cruel. Point is--query should be something you'd be proud to own in public. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Publishing can seem like a cold industry--but you'll make lifelong friends in the writing community. You'll find your niche. #editortips**

*@littlefluffycat said, "someone will call the cops if it even LOOKS illegal. Or if the chars act furtive. Or are Other."

**@La_Raconteur said, "So true! I've really forged a lot of connections that I normally wouldn't. Writers are super people! (Esp. romance writers.)" 

About #editortips: #editortips is a daily rash of tweets from an only partially crazy editor, chock full of random chocolatey morsels about writing, editing, and querying vaguely disguised as helpful pointers and/or really bad humor. I tweet as @smoulderingsea, and try to post with some consistency every weekday at 6PM CST. Weekends optional, depending on if I’m spending yet another Saturday night editing because my social life consists of Netflix and challenging myself to say "bugger" 20 times in a row without ending up just saying "blug blug blug blug blug" over and over again.