Topic: R & R question

[KatieC]

I had a revise & resubmit from an agent for my YA dystopian. He had read the first 3 chapters and the synopsis (the revisions were based on the synopsis ending). He asked that I send a larger partial with the resubmission, and he specified what size of a partial.

The part I'm worried about is where the manuscript cuts off. It's not the most cliffhanger of moments. Do you think that's going to leave him in an "eh" moment, and it could deter him from wanting to read more? Or should I rearrange things to make that break point more exciting?

[J.Ro]

Can you send a little more or a little less to have it be the passage you want? I don't think a partial has to end on a cliffhanger if the tension and voice are there in the pages - that's what will keep a reader turning the pages.

So then the question would be, does it end on an "eh" part because it's a pause for the reader, or is it "eh" because tension is lacking? And if the latter, then that's an issue you might want to address in your R & R.

Anyway - good luck! So exciting.

[Kris]

I'm a little confused. It seems strange to me that the R & R is based on only three chapters and the synopsis ending, which is presumably the ending of the book. The agent doesn't want to see the whole MS? How will he know you made the changes? Maybe I'm just understanding the situation wrong.

I wouldn't worry about where the ending of the partial falls...as long as the pacing and plot works overall.

Good luck!

[KatieC]

Excellent points, J.Ro. I guess I need to figure out what kind of "eh" it is.

Kris, he also wants to see the updated synopsis. I guess that's why? He said "Your first chapters are strong, and your idea is intriguing, but your ending seems weak." He then went on to give advice to strengthen, and he said "if you want to resubmit I'd be happy to take another look. Go ahead and send Xxx number of pages if you choose to resubmit."

[Kris]

Katie--

It sounds like you're on the right track--if his suggestions resonate with you, then go ahead and make the changes and see how it feels. Do you feel like your ending is really weak, or is it just the synopsis that needs work?

Good luck!

Kris

[Kell]

Hi Katie. I wouldn't worry about the partial breaking off in the middle or not being at a cliffhanger, but this a good chance to evaluate. If it's truly an "eh" moment, then maybe you do need to increase tension or delete the scene. It might be a fantastic character-building scene though -- that's good too.

The agent's methods seem unusual, but I can see it working -- he wants to be sure a novel pays off with a good resolution to a full read. If you like his suggestions, you'll end up with a better book regardless.

[KatieC]

I had a few people take a look at the synopsis and they pointed out areas that might have prompted the "weak" comment. Their comments were so helpful, and I can definitely see how the agent thought the ending was weak now. I am working on those revisions now, and have already updated the synopsis.

And Kell, I agree! I think my story will be all the stronger for it! It's so funny that the partial break happens at this particular scene, because looking back I've always wondered if I needed that scene. I'm reevaluating now.

Thanks all!

[TaliaVance]

I'm a firm believer in having partials break at a point that invites further reading.  When I was querying, I had a five page cliffhanger and a ten page cliff-hanger, because those were the samples sizes most agents wanted in the query.  I had a 30 page cliffhanger, but I always felt my 50 page sample ended weakly.  I never did get a full request of the 50 page sample, but I did off the others, so I say revise the pages until they end somewhere better.

I did a revision with an agent later that fixed my 50 page sag- and it was a sag- turns out I needed to move up a scene that happened later that was a plot catalyst for things to come. 

[KatieC]

Thanks so much Talia! I have decided my scene is a sagger too. I'm going to work on that, definitely!

[dewsanddamps]

I'm a firm believer in having partials break at a point that invites further reading.  When I was querying, I had a five page cliffhanger and a ten page cliff-hanger, because those were the samples sizes most agents wanted in the query. 

Oh, that is so smart!

[Laura_6]

I agree with Talia -- I think cliff-hangers are super important for partials. I've changed things around and consolidated 2 chapters into 1 in order to get requested 3-chapter partials to end on tense or surprising moments. I also cut a 100-page request to 91-pages (chapter break) instead of 110-pages (chapter break) because the earlier one was more exciting.

Good luck! 

[Owl]

I agree with Talia and Laura6; end the partial with a cliffhanger.