tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post6391869118819404888..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Literary Agent Victoria Skurnick of LGR Gives Top Ten Submission No-NosJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28378661194531030092015-07-18T22:48:22.991-04:002015-07-18T22:48:22.991-04:00Great post, Victoria! I laughed when I met her a w...Great post, Victoria! I laughed when I met her a week ago in New York at Thrillerfest. She has a terrific sense of humor. Number nine was a good one about humility. I think some of the greatest works of writing have come from an experience of humility. One thing I have found when meeting some of the most successful agents has been a sense of humility. This also goes for every other successful person I have met in the business world. The most prominent people in the world seem to understand this. I would like to think that my writing can be successful, but until it's actually published and received well, I can never really know.George M. Moserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10175584335594447569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17820323660048400832015-05-21T12:49:55.250-04:002015-05-21T12:49:55.250-04:00Adverbs are useful for splitting infinitives.Adverbs are useful for splitting infinitives.Ray Plotecianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2784314991774932452014-07-17T21:42:01.152-04:002014-07-17T21:42:01.152-04:00Helpful article. I never really noticed the adver...Helpful article. I never really noticed the adverb issue in things I read or write. I will have to pay more attention to that. <br /><br />As far as grammar, as a teacher I will say that it is not being taught directly in school to the extent it used to be. The idea is that students will learn to write by writing rather than practicing grammar. I am glad I went to school before this became the norm. I would never say I am a grammar "expert", however people often asking me to proofread their memos, emails, and other things they write. I attribute this to having grammar "beat" into me in school.<br /><br />Having that said I am wondering if comma usage has changed over time?? In school I was taught that you separate items you are listing with commas, including the a comma before and. " I am buying peas, corn, carrots, and beans at the farm stand." Now it appears, people say. "I am buying peas, corn, carrots and beans.." The second way seems better to me, but sometimes out of habit I use the first. It is still correct?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78348471103414004912014-07-17T20:49:17.541-04:002014-07-17T20:49:17.541-04:00This is my favorite post this week. My boyfriend ...This is my favorite post this week. My boyfriend and I are members of the Oxford Comma club.<br /><br />I was reminded of my 6th grade class. We were required to write stories. I often used exclamation points and my teacher wrote "why are you using exclamation points"?<br /><br />I remember writing letters to my grandparents and other relatives. My schoolteacher parents would correct my grammar then I would write the letters again before sending the letters in the mail.<br /><br />I automatically edit myself as I write.<br /><br />Everyone, thank you for sharing your tips. FYI, I am in my mid thirties.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15410483552803933142014-07-15T21:53:33.413-04:002014-07-15T21:53:33.413-04:00Susan Elia MacNeal - all is not lost. My daughter ...Susan Elia MacNeal - all is not lost. My daughter is working her way through her summer reading. So far, she's wanted to hurl both Lord of the Flies and Catcher in the Rye against the wall for the "sloppy grammar." She said, "I thought these kids were supposed to be British. Them trees? No one says 'them trees' - those trees. Argh!" This from the kid who will not text without proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64252769554090905362014-07-15T17:59:58.799-04:002014-07-15T17:59:58.799-04:00Thank you, Victoria--I just sent BC the link to to...Thank you, Victoria--I just sent BC the link to today's JRW blog so she can enjoy you too (no comma!). And we'll meet; we must.<br /><br />One of the trickier tricks in the pub world is something (pernicious) called "house style." It's the parent of a slew of changes in usage, such as that disappearing comma before "too," as well as the serial comma in lists. I confess that I do like the serial comma, and I encourage my students, colleagues, and friend to use it. <br /><br />On the other hand, copy editing at publishers has become<br /> so sloppy and erratic that reading galleys has become as much about catching copy editing errors as it is about reading text. Sad but true.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427091027499439029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76408055877812749812014-07-15T17:21:01.442-04:002014-07-15T17:21:01.442-04:00What's really hard about being a parent who wa...What's really hard about being a parent who wants to raise a kid with proper grammar is none of the TV shows and movies use it. So I'm always shouting, "with Jack and ME — NOT with Jack and I" from the kitchen or wherever. (This is why I have high blood pressure.)<br /><br />However, the kiddo did recently throw out "I wish I were" so that made me happy....Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63292171550801570692014-07-15T14:51:01.562-04:002014-07-15T14:51:01.562-04:00I loved this post! And bravo to the writers who ar...I loved this post! And bravo to the writers who are now scouring their manuscripts for those pesky "ly" words. Now, it's back to work on my fiction novel manuscript. :-)Terry Ambrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859532145979982213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31259952241335232142014-07-15T13:58:42.179-04:002014-07-15T13:58:42.179-04:00I love you I love you I love you.
All I can say.
...I love you I love you I love you.<br /><br />All I can say.<br /><br />xxxHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87868508551300036582014-07-15T13:25:16.636-04:002014-07-15T13:25:16.636-04:00Naturally, I used the word "good" five t...Naturally, I used the word "good" five times in the above post.<br /><br />It was for effect. Yeah, let's go with that.Karen in OHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-796619580758389212014-07-15T13:24:48.696-04:002014-07-15T13:24:48.696-04:00Naturally, I used the word "good" five t...Naturally, I used the word "good" five times in the above post.<br /><br />It was for effect. Yeah, let's go with that.Karen in OHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17566530612722295642014-07-15T13:21:03.244-04:002014-07-15T13:21:03.244-04:00Good grammar and good manners, along with good per...Good grammar and good manners, along with good personal hygiene, can take a person about as far as they can go, I think. <br /><br />Susan, keep up the good work with the kiddo. Our girls were thought odd when they correctly used "whom". Now my middle daughter is considered, by far, the best writer in her tech company, and it has served her well. The ability to write a well-crafted report or business letter makes her stand out amongst barely literate nerds.<br /><br />Keep up the good fight, Victoria. It's a dirty job, I know.Karen in OHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3076610244881618192014-07-15T13:19:24.924-04:002014-07-15T13:19:24.924-04:00Victoria, I'm happy to read that you favor rep...Victoria, I'm happy to read that you favor replies, as leaving someone hanging is rude and often cruel, especially where a book manuscript is concerned. That manuscript means the world to its author, even if it's not the next great American novel. I'm a big fan of replying to people in general. <br /><br />The term "fiction novel" seems a silly mistake to make as a writer, and I have never used the term. However, for those people who haven't grown up as rabid readers or English majors, I have sometimes wondered if everyone is familiar with the word "novel" meaning fiction. Don't misunderstand. I'm not accusing people of being stupid, and I'm not defending ever using "fiction novel," but I think those of us ensconced in the world of novels sometimes assume that the whole populace is fluent in our jargon, albeit a basic word.<br /><br />Lorrie, I must have had my head in the sand to not notice the lack of a comma before too. I will never give up that comma. It is as ingrained in my writing as starting a sentence with a capital letter. Of course, I am also a hold-out for the Oxford comma.<br /><br />As far as adverbs are concerned, I recognize that a strong verb is preferable to a scattering of adverbs, but I am more forgiving than some on the use of adverbs. I had a creative writing teacher in high school who forbid the use of "very," so I try to avoid that one. When my children were teenagers, there was a popular song that used incorrect grammar, and I would continually correct it to the aggravation of my kids. I use "well" when telling my granddaughters that they did an activity in good form, hoping that every little bit counts. One grammar rule that I grew up with is to not end a sentence with a preposition, but that rule seems to have undergone a forgiving relaxation. I still try to observe the preposition ending rule, but I admit that I am more lax about it these days. <br /><br />Kim, I found your "just" usage interesting. I think I probably overuse that word, too, and I'm working on overusing "so." Hallie, I would love to sit in on your class about storyline. I would think that writers would be able to grasp the connecting events, although having taught writing to a younger crowd, it's always a revelation what should be a given and what isn't. <br /><br />Kristopher, I couldn't agree more that rude and arrogant are unacceptable whatever occupation you practice. Also, that one of the most endearing characteristics of the Reds is their humble demeanor in the face of all of their great writing. Mark, you made me laugh, but you are indeed special. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71435985869559300622014-07-15T12:22:34.982-04:002014-07-15T12:22:34.982-04:00I love this post!
I'm in a scary place: betwe...I love this post!<br /><br />I'm in a scary place: between agents with one novel out. The thought of querying like a newbie all over again fills me with part dread/part ennui.<br /><br />So many lovely agents out there in the in world though. Thanks, Victoria, for the reminder!<br /><br />Using "good" rather than "well" drives me batty. Also, "disorientated" -- what the hell is that? :-) Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23932046471763637542014-07-15T12:20:24.879-04:002014-07-15T12:20:24.879-04:00"Truly unique" or, worse, "very uni..."Truly unique" or, worse, "very unique." It's either unique or it's not. Even if the author makes grammatical errors, the editor should weed them out. One of my favorite unweeded errors of all time: "While having sex, the telephone rang."Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04026595091769545788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76806813863648527412014-07-15T12:09:19.213-04:002014-07-15T12:09:19.213-04:00Oh, verbs other than "said" or "ask...Oh, verbs other than "said" or "asked." Sigh. I hit people all the time in critiques with those.<br /><br />What about the people who scatter exclamation marks throughout their manuscripts like confetti at a Super Bowl parade? A friend once told me I got to use one exclamation mark per novel, so use it well.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45368416330336935362014-07-15T12:05:44.424-04:002014-07-15T12:05:44.424-04:00Rhys - I'm a charter member of Elmore Leonard ...Rhys - I'm a charter member of Elmore Leonard fan club when it comes to the verb (she opined.).<br />VictoriaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55134436006155316322014-07-15T11:58:52.163-04:002014-07-15T11:58:52.163-04:00Loved it, Victoria. What about all those verbs ins...Loved it, Victoria. What about all those verbs instead of "said."<br />"You!"She exclaimed<br />"Who else!" he shouted<br />"Why did you come?"<br />she emoted<br />"You know why," he snarled.<br />etcRhys Bowennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5642016831124015742014-07-15T11:30:27.111-04:002014-07-15T11:30:27.111-04:00Lorrie, I love the comma before too, too. : )
Vi...Lorrie, I love the comma before too, too. : )<br /><br />Victoria (or as the kiddo and I call her, "Agent V") truly is the best. I think she decided to represent me because I wrote something in a proposal ending "with her and me." She actually pointed it out in her next letter/email!Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18467964349827575412014-07-15T11:00:26.870-04:002014-07-15T11:00:26.870-04:00Lorrie - You have wonderful taste in friends. I h...Lorrie - You have wonderful taste in friends. I hope we get to meet one of these days. <br /><br />And thank you to everyone who has left a comment. What a pleasure to write something for people who actually (ADVERB) read it. xxxVictoriaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49663299434177658652014-07-15T10:56:15.556-04:002014-07-15T10:56:15.556-04:00Even though I already have an agent, I am interest...Even though I already have an agent, I am interested in your comments, Victoria. They are a reminder of the human side of publishing - which feels all about big business and nothing more these days. Writing is about solitude, but publishing is about relationships. Thank you so much for sharing.<br /><br />PS - Right before my first novel went through its final edit at the publishing house, I asked a friend to read it. When she was done, she said, "You must get rid of all the 'justs'." I ran a word search and discovered more than 200 for no good reason at all. It must have been some kind of writing tic, and I'm so grateful to her. I removed them all just in time for the book to go to press! Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47647406102251651272014-07-15T10:34:53.071-04:002014-07-15T10:34:53.071-04:00Victoria, I have the best agent in the world and I...Victoria, I have the best agent in the world and I'm sending this to her right now because she will love it.<br /><br />(No offense meant to you by the qualifier, of course, but I've been with my agent longer than I've been married to my second husband, and she has been my ONLY agent. The universe smiled on me.)<br /><br />Someday you'll have to share the things you love about being an agent, but I'm glad you had the chance to blow off a little steam here at JRW!<br />Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11959080458363672722014-07-15T10:33:49.610-04:002014-07-15T10:33:49.610-04:00Susan-I had the same response: Must search for -ly...Susan-I had the same response: Must search for -ly words in current manuscript and edit accordingly. (See? They just happen naturally. Oops! There I go again.)<br /><br />Victoria, it's always nice to hear from the other side of the desk!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754229648422848542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16459438789947768462014-07-15T10:32:04.608-04:002014-07-15T10:32:04.608-04:00Oh, sorry--I'm Lorrie Bodger, friend of Hallie...Oh, sorry--I'm Lorrie Bodger, friend of Hallie Ephron and Betsy Carter, and I try to live up to Ms. Skurnick's standards on my blog, The Book Under Her Bed (www.thebookunderherbed), which was featured on THIS blog about a month ago. Appreciation to all.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427091027499439029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3765115839566482782014-07-15T10:29:37.274-04:002014-07-15T10:29:37.274-04:00Oh, how I love this Victoria! How pleasurable to r...Oh, how I love this Victoria! How pleasurable to read straightforward, unapologetic commitment to the properly written sentence. And she's droll too. (Has everyone noticed that it's no longer de rigueur to use a comma before "too"?) Lucky the writers who have Ms. Skurnick as their agent.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427091027499439029noreply@blogger.com