Treat Query Letter liking finding a dress in your closet

Yesterday's NJRW meeting was a special event. We had two editors and one agent talk to us as well as answer our questions.

I didn't only listen to what they told us to do or not do. I watched them, after all I am a writer. Two of them wore wristwatches. Couldn't see one she had long sleeves on. They wore black business suits, spoke with their hands, made facial expressions, cracked jokes, etc.  My point is they aren't terrible scary monsters. They are people with needs, wants and likes. Follow them on twitter, read their blogs, go to places they are speaking at, and learn what they like.

I've heard plenty of them say they get anywhere from 100 to 150 query letters a day. The agent said most of them are reviewed by her assistant, unless one stands out, then she'll read it first herself. Obvious question we had how do they stand out. She shrugged and I saw it to mean,  I can't help you there.

Maybe I have an overworked imagination, but I thought about standing in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear on a day you don't feel like getting dressed. You could have hundreds of clothes in that closet and none of them will appeal to you.  How many pieces of clothes get an automatic no and you move on to inspect the next piece? Sometimes you stop, consider and move on.  When you finally decide on a dress to wear it comes off the hanger and makes you smile. You are pleased with your choice.

What will please agents and editors?

I wish I knew. I do know I am getting closer to the answer, because I am listening to what they are looking to buy or represent.

Elizabeth Wickham views against love

I live in 1850 and I am fifteen years old.  My family has gone off west to look for gold.  I am now living with my brother Hank and his wife Charlotte.  I am a horrible child because I like how Hank treats my sickness better than how my folks handled it.  I am allowed to roam the farm and read or write by my favorite tree.

I've been sick for a while now, about a year.  I met the love of my life shortly after my family left.  Jesse is great.  I feel so protected when I am with him.  He knows exactly what I can and can't do.  He holds me in his arms, and kisses me it's as if I am normal again.  I do not feel sick or pity when I am with him.  I never realized how selfish I was being.

Thank Heavens for noisy gossipy townswomen.  They let me know.  He's giving up a future with a healthy wife who can give him a family and help him on the farm.  The doc says as long as I take my medicine the seizures won't get worst.  They won't get better either.  I broke it off with Jesse.  Told him it's for his own good.  Jesse has too much honor to just go away.  He still looks out for me any chance I see him.  I hope he stops soon.  I can still remember the first time he told me he loved me.  He backed me up against a tree and kissed me hard.  His hands didn't stay on my waist like they usually did.  They were all over me like pa's trousers get horse manure all over them.  He then showed me he curved our names on the tree inside a heart.  I think I loved him even more than I already had.

I have to stop thinking of that day.  A sick girl can't expect a man to give up everything for her.

Anybody want to give Elizabeth some advice?

Character Traits when do they belong?

I read a tweet by an agent which advised not to make a character have a trait without a need for it.  So my question is when do you think it is needed?

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins always has St. Clair biting on his pinky finger.  She describes this so well I can actually see him biting it.  It is not over used in my opinion because he bites on it when he is nervous or thinking.

Colin Bridgerton by Julia Quinn is always eating.  His family and friends know to ring for food anytime he visits.  I've seen alot of characters both on television and in books that love to eat food.  Like the Gilmore Girls and their coffee habit.

Do any of your characters have habits/traits and how do you know they are needed?

Status on my 2011 resolutions

Some of them are not going so well.  My writing progress thankfully is not one of them.  I have joined NJ Romance Writers Chapter.  If you live in New Jersey and like to write come to a meeting.  They are extremely friendly and welcoming.  Which for someone as shy as me, it is appreciated.

The meeting made me realize I have not submitted to an agency since October.  I plan on correcting that this weekend.  As well as register for RWA National's conference on the 18th.

I'm new a blogging, but as soon as I learn more I'd love to have people come and visit me here.