I talked with the agents...

Vandal · Apr 7, 2008

and they absolutely love my story.

But,

they strongly suggested that I make it a YA novel. They (the agency founder and the new agent) told me I have a natural YA voice and the plot is fresh and original.

It just needs younger characters. My MC is 30 and some of the others are in their 20s. If I can make this appeal to the younger crowd by making the MC and secondary characters 15-18. I can do that.

They do not want me to do a total plot re-write, just some character adjustments and the subsequent minor plot changes. They love the historical aspect of the story (it spans over 300 years) and the fact that I have strong female characters because that sells the best.

They stressed several times that they want to work with me on this. I am free to bounce ideas off them and they would like to see a new/improved synopsis as soon as I can get it to them.

I've already thought about how I can change the story accordingly.

I'm stoked about this. The agents sound like wonderful people.

It's all good.

I better get to work.

Shady Lane · Apr 7, 2008

Vandal, this is SO exciting. YA is FABULOUS and you will have so much fun writing it. Come hang out on the YA boards sometime!

Pisarz · Apr 7, 2008

Wow, what an opportunity. Best of luck!

Calla Lily · Apr 8, 2008

Way cool! Good luck!

...why are you still here reading this? Get rewriting!

Saundra Julian · Apr 8, 2008

Sounds great. Keep us posted and good luck.

stormie · Apr 10, 2008

Vandal, I've been checking your other thread and wondered what happened Monday night. Glad I found you here! Sounds very promising, and the fact that you're able to adjust the storyline, is a big plus. Don't rush it. Believe me. Make sure your synopsis is polished before you send it to them.

This is exciting!

Judg · Apr 10, 2008

Wow! That's - inconceivable!

Happy for you.

Maryn · Apr 10, 2008

Excellent, excellent! It's all coming together now, yes...

Maryn, rubbing her hands together like a fly

xiaotien · Apr 10, 2008

wow and wow!!!
that's totally awesome!
i wrote a YA novel without knowing
it. welcome to YA! good luck
with revising, vandal!!

Susie · Apr 10, 2008

Hope it works out great, Vanadal!

clara bow · Apr 11, 2008

congrats and good luck with the revisions!

Soccer Mom · Apr 11, 2008

YA is totally where it's at right now in publishing! Have fun storming the castle!

Susan B · Apr 11, 2008

Very exciting--congratulations!

jamiehall · Apr 11, 2008

Welcome to YA writing!

:partyguy:

Vandal · Apr 27, 2008

Update:

The agent has been true to her word. I sent her my new synopsis and she gave me a few suggestions to make it better. She is reading the new/improved Part 1 (first eleven chapters) and likes my ideas for Part 2.

The conversion to a YA novel has not been that difficult. I've had to add and delete a few characters, but the basic premise remains. For two years I've had a particular image of the MC in my mind as a self-assured 30 year old woman, and now I have to think of her as a gawky 16 year old high school student. No problem.

I just hope after all this the agent says "I love it!" That would be cool.

Soccer Mom · Apr 27, 2008

I can't imagine they would put this much work into helping shape your book if they weren't planning on offering representation if you were able to follow through with your part. (Which you have been, so hurrah!)

dgiharris · Apr 27, 2008

Hi Vandall,

Very cool. Yours is a good problem to have

Wish you all the luck in the world.

Mel...

Karen Duvall · Apr 30, 2008

This is really awesome, Vandall. It won't be long and you'll have that agent contract in hand! Woo hoo!

Vandal · May 13, 2008

Update:

The conversion to YA is complete. My shiny, new manuscript is 6K shorter, but so much better. I took most of the agent's ideas and suggestions and folded them in nicely.

I hope.

Now it's off to 17th Street in NYC.

gettingby · May 13, 2008

Good luck!

dawinsor · May 14, 2008

The most exciting part of this is how the ms is better now. And it must have been good before if the agent was interested. I have my fingers crossed.

Saundra Julian · May 14, 2008

Break a leg!

Southern_girl29 · May 14, 2008

Good luck.

RoccoMom · May 15, 2008

Vandal said:
Update:

The conversion to YA is complete. My shiny, new manuscript is 6K shorter, but so much better. I took most of the agent's ideas and suggestions and folded them in nicely.

I hope.

Now it's off to 17th Street in NYC.

Best of luck!

C.bronco · May 15, 2008

That's Inconceivable!

All you need now is a holocaust cloak and a wheelbarrow and you'll be on the N.Y. Times bestseller list in no time!

I talked with the agents...

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