Acute Plotitis

Chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Then shout and scream, and report everything you said to yourself in the "Stupid things writers say" thread.

1. Find a very patient, and trusted, beta reader (or two or three) who will look at your various editions and give feedback on which works best. Make corrections and leave it alone.

2. Keep submitting it to agents realizing that there is a multitude of reasons for rejection--the probability of a plot defect being the primary reason for rejection could be small, unless the agents have specifically provides feedback that says so. It may be that you just haven't found the right agent yet.

3. Move on to your next writing project and focus your energy on it, rather than trying to second guess agents on the previous one.

Sorry Janet, maybe give to a Beta. Don't give up, hugs coming your way. kimmi

janetbellinger said:

I seem to have developed an acute case of Plotitis. Each time I get a rejection from an agent I rush to my computer and change the plot a little more in my novel. Now I have so many radically different versions I'm very confused and am trouble working on it at all. Any suggestions for overcoming this malady?

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Are these agents giving you suggestions that you are incorporating each time or are you just ASSUMING what is wrong with the story? If you're not getting specific instructions on what's wrong with the story, I would just keep submitting it to different agents as is.

Although the suggestions to have trusted beta readers look it over is valid.

Make a list of all the plot changes you have made. Just being able to look at the list will help you feel less confused and you may immediately realize there are some you know you want to keep and some you know you want to get rid of. Then discuss the rest with a beta.

Hey, I'm with Ferret-san. We need more info about the rejections. Did they criticize the plot specifically? Were they more general? Were they form rejections?

If they didn't criticize the plot in particular, then what you are doing might be seen as a little, umm, well...nutty?

Keep in mind the opening of the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm.

janetbellinger said:

I seem to have developed an acute case of Plotitis. Each time I get a rejection from an agent I rush to my computer and change the plot a little more in my novel. Now I have so many radically different versions I'm very confused and am trouble working on it at all. Any suggestions for overcoming this malady?

Click to expand...

Were the rejections that you recieved specifically because of the plot? I am assuming that most rejections doled out by agents would have more to do with form than anything else, though weak story is commonly a reason too.

Did you get any personal feedback on your rejection letters, or were they generic? If you got any notes, id implement those changes if any. Chaning your plot everytime may not be necessary.

You should post a chapter in the "Share your work" section. You would get some useful feedback that way.