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Oooh look who's being sneaky and starting the #RevPit #10Queries two minutes early
For those new to #10Queries, these are anonymous thoughts about random #RevPit subs. I'll have 2 tweets per sub--1 for the query (marked like Q3), 1 for the pages (marked like P3). I'll note the age and genre, although I've done some simplifying
These are intentionally vague so the advice can be helpful to the whole community. However, it can create a lot of anxiety to watch these and wonder if they're yours so consider muting the hashtag. You know yourself best. Please put your mental health first #RevPit #10Queries
This is supposed to be fun and informative, so if it's not fun for you, I'm giving you permission to bow out, and I'll fight anyone who gives you a hard time about it. I might be a teddy bear, but I will go full mama bear when it comes to protecting people. #RevPit #10Queries
Lastly, I am not telling anyone which tweet is theirs until after the winners are announced because spoilers. But after the winners are announced, I will email you if I used your sub in one of my #10Queries. #RevPit
Q1 YA Con F This premise is intriguing, but the query gives too much backstory. Focus on stakes, the main character, and what's happening in the story. Limit setup and worldbuilding to just what we have to know to understand. #RevPit #10Queries
P1 The very beginning is a lil cliché, but it gets better later. The voice is almost there but still needs some developing. Watch for filtering and make sure you're adding reactions to small things and not just the big ones--we learn a lot by how people react #RevPit #10Queries
Q2 A F This subgenre and these tropes seem to be gaining in popularity, and I am here for it! This one has a fresh twist I haven't seen so I'm excited for the pages #RevPit #10Queries
P2 The tone in the pages is perfect, but I'm not sure this is the best place to start (SUPER common issue btw). We need a deeper POV--show us what MC is feeling, emotionally and viscerally. Really dig deep! That'll up all the tension. #RevPit #10Queries.
Q3 A Con F Great narrative voice in the query, well written. Make the stakes clearer though. Bring them to the fore. That's the secret to a strong hook. Love this premise and want to read pages! #RevPit #10Queries
P3 This voice! It's different than the query but so so so good. I think maybe voice is your thing. Pacing, description, dialogue, orientation--all great. We need a lil more description to really nail the worldbuilding. Otherwise, YAS #RevPit #10Queries
Q4 A F Brilliant query, well explained, makes me want to read more. We've got character, emotional wound, stakes, conflict. Boom. On to the pages. #RevPit #10Queries
P4 Don't start with description or exposition. Start with what is important: your MC. Also, you don't want your opening scene to turn readers off despite solid writing so think carefully about where to start. Save graphic stuff for later. #RevPit #10Queries
Q5 YA SF These comps! I love it so much--these are not two stories I would've thought to put together. Great conflict that could use more stakes. But I still want to read more! (Remember? I told you queries aren't a big deal for #RevPit) #10Queries
P5 This voice is allllmost there, but this scene needs a lot of work and makes me wonder if it's just that beginnings are hard (because OMG beginnings are hard!) or if there are bigger structural problems. It's promising enough to make me want to find out! #RevPit #10Queries
Q6 MG Con F Premise is fun, and I can see the connection to the comps immediately. Just give a little more information toward the end to we can get a better idea of the conflict and stakes and how that comes back to the MC's emotional wound. #RevPit #10Queries
P6 We get a great idea of who this character is and what he wants, but we need a little more connection to the whys. Mainly, this character isn't very likable so show us what he's thinking and feeling that makes him this way, and we will be more engaged. #RevPit #10Queries
Q7 YA Con F This query is really good, but the author is trying too hard to show the MC's personality. Save that for the pages. It doesn't need it here and makes it look like you're trying too hard. It's already really good without all that! #RevPit #10Queries
P7 The voice here is balanced so much better than in the query. It feels like a real person--very 3D, lots of personality. But it feels like you're trying to get too much into these 1st pgs. Slow it down. Give some space to connect with MC and see their life. #RevPit #10Queries
Q8 A SF Perfect balance of set up and hook. Look at your word choice though. Make sure you explain as simply as possible. Too much jargon in the query distracts from the important stuff. Save that for the pages. #RevPit #10Queries
P8 Fabulous starting place to set the tone and build the tension. Clear voice, conflict, pacing--all the things I look for in first chapter. #RevPit #10Queries
Q9 A SFF Premise is amazing but MC motives need some clarifying. This is definitely enough to make me want more, but the query still needs some work. #RevPit #10Queries
P9 OMG this opening line! So visceral. Voice is amazing, but I have concerns about pacing. We need to get to know the MC's normal world a little before throwing them into changes to that world. Sometimes this technique can work, but I need more context to tell. #RevPit #10Queries
Q10 A HF I like these tropes, and they're popular in this genre. But your plan for the ms is outside the box, so you may need to find new comps to show it's been done successfully. Otherwise agents might think it's too far outside the box. #RevPit #10Queries
P10 Pages show me you've studied and know what needs to happen in Ch 1, and you paint such a pretty picture of this setting! My favorite thing about HF is the worldbuilding, and you do it well. Really great opening. #RevPit #10Queries
I want to mention a few things I saw in several subs.
1. Crossover is always YA to A, not the other way around
2. If your MC is in their 20s, it's adult. NA is not really a thing
3. Overall these subs know their genres better than previous years
#RevPit #10Queries
1. Crossover is always YA to A, not the other way around
2. If your MC is in their 20s, it's adult. NA is not really a thing
3. Overall these subs know their genres better than previous years
#RevPit #10Queries
