I’m a writer, and hopefully that is obvious to readers on this site.  If not, I have failed miserably in my quest to show some of my craft. So, I am writing a new novel, a thriller which I must admit, is a different view on terrorism.  But I have done my research, and interviewed the right people well before I started writing.  It is based on reality.

I recently attended a writer’s conference and as part of this I pitched  my manuscript to a couple agents and there was some positive feedback by agents who want to read more as well as provide well – intentioned critique.

Writers need critique in order to grow and make the work better and I appreciate that.  I soak it in, step back and re – evaluate how I am doing things while my confidence drops a little, then, I weigh the advice and decide to implement it when it has merit.  In the end, it makes me a better writer, but the critique from successful people is sometimes polar opposite – some say black, others say white.

There was a classroom session at this conference where the leader was a successful NYC literary agent.  This person requested one page query letters that he would read in front of the class demanding that the author be kept anonymous.

This agent loved stories about make believe druids and people flying around with wings and various Zombie fantasies.

He seemed to enjoy making the audience laugh about how my story was clearly impossible and not plausible.  A surgeon as the protagonist could never also work in clandestine, secret missions. Not Plausible.  In addition, terrorists must all look a certain way and act a certain way. The terrorist in my book was however, someone who didn’t fit the mold and hides in plain sight. This agent said this is implausible also!  Ha ha.  Therefore, he said, “I have low expectations for this book, however I still will ask for more pages to read.”

In this case, I know he is completely wrong and sadly, naive. No, I am not showing “sour grapes” at all.  I just know. I don’t need to explain why  I know.  He is wearing blinders so that he stays in his little comfort zone, not wishing to think about dangerous alternatives to his life bubble reality.  Perhaps he is right, stories about druids and fairies may be easier to sell, but comfort is not what this world is made of.

Despite his success, he has no idea what he is talking about here.  But why did he ask for more pages to read?

Interestingly because of this put – down of my story and the premise, I am even more confident that I am doing things correctly and will push forward.

SRC