Welcome back Thor! We missed you guys, but so glad you had such a productive and uplifting time! It's in the Lap of the Gods now...C'mon publishers - pay attention dang it!
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Thanks all for your support!
I managed to get 5 more queries and proposals off today. One said they would only accept a two-page query by regular mail and would need 8 weeks to get back. Are you kidding me?.
Anyway, the other 5 seemed reasonable.
I managed to get 5 more queries and proposals off today. One said they would only accept a two-page query by regular mail and would need 8 weeks to get back. Are you kidding me?.
Anyway, the other 5 seemed reasonable.
Hey Rainbow,
I will try to answer your questions. The whole query and proposal have been written for months as has the entire manuscript. Updating the proposal was done by me. .As Lee likes to say, writing is never done and editing and improvements are ongoing throughout the process.
Basically, we started with me reading the current paragraphs then pausing to make improvements to the sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar with a discussion between us to exchange better words, more commas and hyphens, and thesaurus utilization to prevent repeated words being too close together, which sounds awkward when reading back. Then, we would switch roles, where Lee was at the computer and I listened to his reading the passages out loud. This technique worked well for us and we were both very satisfied with the results.
I will try to answer your questions. The whole query and proposal have been written for months as has the entire manuscript. Updating the proposal was done by me. .As Lee likes to say, writing is never done and editing and improvements are ongoing throughout the process.
Basically, we started with me reading the current paragraphs then pausing to make improvements to the sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar with a discussion between us to exchange better words, more commas and hyphens, and thesaurus utilization to prevent repeated words being too close together, which sounds awkward when reading back. Then, we would switch roles, where Lee was at the computer and I listened to his reading the passages out loud. This technique worked well for us and we were both very satisfied with the results.
Continuing...
As you pointed out, Lee and I do have different writing styles. In our full manuscript of 17 chapters, it is obvious who is narrating the story. But, for the query and proposal, I listed in the sampling of four chapters the ones that Lee wrote. and the ones I wrote. We chose two of mine and two of his.
As you pointed out, Lee and I do have different writing styles. In our full manuscript of 17 chapters, it is obvious who is narrating the story. But, for the query and proposal, I listed in the sampling of four chapters the ones that Lee wrote. and the ones I wrote. We chose two of mine and two of his.
Hi Thor,
Thanks for giving us “behind the scenes” access! For novice writers, it’s great that you and Lee hit your stride relatively early and figured out how to tackle this book project. It sounds like you formed an effective partnership. Can you imagine doing this back in the days when you only had a manual typewriter...or better yet, a fountain pen and pads of paper (think Tolstoy writing “War and Peace”).
I took a typing class in high school. We had to choose between learning on a manual typewriter or an electric. Most people recommended leaning on a manual because you didn't know if you would have access to an electric typewriter once you left class. So I "wisely" chose to learn on the manual. That makes me laugh now. And where does one see a manual typewriter these days.…probably in your grandparent’s attic or a history museum!
Thanks for giving us “behind the scenes” access! For novice writers, it’s great that you and Lee hit your stride relatively early and figured out how to tackle this book project. It sounds like you formed an effective partnership. Can you imagine doing this back in the days when you only had a manual typewriter...or better yet, a fountain pen and pads of paper (think Tolstoy writing “War and Peace”).
I took a typing class in high school. We had to choose between learning on a manual typewriter or an electric. Most people recommended leaning on a manual because you didn't know if you would have access to an electric typewriter once you left class. So I "wisely" chose to learn on the manual. That makes me laugh now. And where does one see a manual typewriter these days.…probably in your grandparent’s attic or a history museum!
Thanks for sharing more of your writing process Thor. Did you have any idea what you two were getting into when you started? I think there is always room for editing when writing, especially if you take some time away from the piece and then take another look. You guys also discovered another invaluable technique when you read out loud to each other. Seeing it in print and hearing it can yield two very different interpretations. When I'm writing emails or posts on FB or here on this forum I don't worry so much about correctness because I'm having fun. When I had to write professionally it was much more tedious and worrisome. I was on several committees that wrote grant proposals and I thought that was deadly boring. I believe I was put on those committees more because of my ability to call BS when necessary rather than my writing skills. It sounds like you two are doing something similar to grant proposals when writing the queries to publishers. If so, I feel your pain. As always, thanks for your effort. It IS going to pay off.
Rainbow61 - I took typing class in high school too. We all had electric at that point - early 80's. What I remember most is how LOUD that class was LOL! Remember White Out and the correction tape - what a pain that was! Pen and paper or ink wells and scrolls - I can't even imagine...
NotQuiteAShilling,
I took typing in 79 or 80...I'm sure they switched to electric typewriters soon after. I've never been a strong typist, so Wite-Out and correction tape were my best friends! I often remember being impatient for the Wite-Out to dry and typing a bit too soon.... only to end up with a blurry, blob of a corrected letter! I don't know if Freddie ever used a typewriter in his life...but the thought of that high-energy guy having to sit in front of a type writer and do any writing is rather amusing.
Thor...I know that sadly, some of your very good friends from the time period you knew Freddie have passed away, but for those who are still around, did you have to get their permission before including any pictures with them in your book? If yes, is that something that publishers require? Just wondering how that works. Thanks again for feeding my never-ending curiosity!
I took typing in 79 or 80...I'm sure they switched to electric typewriters soon after. I've never been a strong typist, so Wite-Out and correction tape were my best friends! I often remember being impatient for the Wite-Out to dry and typing a bit too soon.... only to end up with a blurry, blob of a corrected letter! I don't know if Freddie ever used a typewriter in his life...but the thought of that high-energy guy having to sit in front of a type writer and do any writing is rather amusing.
Thor...I know that sadly, some of your very good friends from the time period you knew Freddie have passed away, but for those who are still around, did you have to get their permission before including any pictures with them in your book? If yes, is that something that publishers require? Just wondering how that works. Thanks again for feeding my never-ending curiosity!
Rainbow, I enjoy your "never-ending" curiosity and I hope you'll keep asking questions. You often put into words things that I didn't even realize I was wondering about until you ask. And thanks to Thor and Lee for the patience to answer and educate.
Rainbow,
Unless we are told differently, these photos are the property of Lee. Most of the content of our pictures, unfortunately, besides me, Lee and Phoebe, are no longer with us. May they rest in peace.
Unless we are told differently, these photos are the property of Lee. Most of the content of our pictures, unfortunately, besides me, Lee and Phoebe, are no longer with us. May they rest in peace.
Thor (and Lee) I cannot imagine the magnitude of losing 85% of your close friends to AIDS. I'm so sorry you had to go through that
Dear NotQuiteAShilling,
Thank you for your kind, comforting thoughts.
With much appreciation,
Thor
Thank you for your kind, comforting thoughts.
With much appreciation,
Thor
Thor and Lee,
A sobering reminder of too many people lost far too soon. I hope the friends and family of those who are no longer here will read your book and smile when they see those pictures of happier moments in the lives of those they loved.
A sobering reminder of too many people lost far too soon. I hope the friends and family of those who are no longer here will read your book and smile when they see those pictures of happier moments in the lives of those they loved.
Jo T. wrote:
Honestly, I can't imagine why a publisher would NOT want to publish your and Lee's book. Publishers should be vying for it. Strike while the iron is hot, hot, hot!
Some Publishers have something against indiscrete kiss and tell books by "friends" trying to cash in on a dead person
runner_70
With all due respect (and I mean it very respectfully not sarcastically) If you read through all of Lee and Thors posts, they are very careful and thoughtful to not exploit Freddie and his memory and always redirect comments to a positive perspective when discussing the past. It is evident to me of their intentions. Their memories are not salacious but I feel that after the movie and the increased interest they feel burdened to share the side of Freddie they knew.
Lee and Thor, Press on as hard as it may be. I am sure if nothing else you are reliving precious memories that you ordinarily would not have thought of and that is priceless.
With all due respect (and I mean it very respectfully not sarcastically) If you read through all of Lee and Thors posts, they are very careful and thoughtful to not exploit Freddie and his memory and always redirect comments to a positive perspective when discussing the past. It is evident to me of their intentions. Their memories are not salacious but I feel that after the movie and the increased interest they feel burdened to share the side of Freddie they knew.
Lee and Thor, Press on as hard as it may be. I am sure if nothing else you are reliving precious memories that you ordinarily would not have thought of and that is priceless.