Hello fellow writers

[BeckyJ]

Hello fellow creatives.
I'm writing from New Zealand and have recently completed my 2nd draft of my non fiction memoir novel. The book’s working title is Do Good Be Good: A sharp-witted tale from a female Aid worker. I have written three drafts to date and the book is currently 120,000 words. The book draws on my experience working in disasters in the international humanitarian and development (Aid) sector for the last decade. The book debunks Emergency Sex (by Kenneth Cain) blended with the realism of Untamed (by Glennon Doyle). It is a raw and witty account of what it’s like to be a woman in the humanitarian and international development sector (or Aid sector), intertwined with the everyday challenges of being a woman who simply won’t conform to what is expected. Using humour and my unique insiders’ perspective, I delve into the murky world of humanitarian and human politics of those that are ‘doing good’ whilst stuffing down my own trauma to ‘be good’.

I also have two fiction novels in their infancy, and occasionally dabble in poetry.

After a much needed break over the Christmas period I think I understand where some critical changes need to be made to my novel and am keen to understand more about approaching agents (of which I've approached 10 so far, all rejections).

Lovely to meet you all. I'm excited to be part of the group.
Best
Becky

 

[RK Wallis]

Welcome aboard @BeckyJ If you can channel Untamed, you've got a great book on your hands! My carer loved it and she's not a huge reader or engaged easily.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are high on word count, that's why you are being rejected. Read this: Word Count for Novels and Children's Books: The Definitive Post

And watch this (how an agent rejects queries):

Best of luck with it

 

[Barbara]

Hi Becky,

Welcome to the Colony! Glad you have found us. Any questions about the site, please message me. I'm one of the Guardians and always happy to help.

Do check out the Colony Notices to familiarize yourself with how the site works – The Prime Directive is the foundation of our ethos. For literary chat and general socializing, head over to Café Life.

So get stuck in. You'll see that the more you put in, the more you get out.

Great to have you on board.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Welcome to the Colony!

 

[Ancora Imparo]

Hello, Becky, and welcome! Glad you found us. Have a good look around and make yourself at home. Look forward to seeing you around the colony.

 

[BeckyJ]

Welcome aboard @BeckyJ If you can channel Untamed, you've got a great book on your hands! My carer loved it and she's not a huge reader or engaged easily.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are high on word count, that's why you are being rejected. Read this: Word Count for Novels and Children's Books: The Definitive Post

And watch this (how an agent rejects queries):

Best of luck with it

thanks so much for the feedback and the link. I'll start to reshape things. Really helpful to understand this.

 

[Nikky Lee]

Ah! A fellow Kiwi! Welcome!

 

[Steve C]

Welcome, Becky. It's nice here

 

[Jonny]

Hi @BeckyJ

Welcome to the Colony and hope you have a great time here. I'm sure you'll find Litopia a very welcoming environment.

There's plenty to do and we have lots of people happy to give and receive advice on works in progress. You'll get the most from the Colony with a two-way exchange and you'll be pleasantly surprised how beneficial offering critiques on the works of others is for your own work.

Litopia is a friendly and supportive community and best thing to do is dive right in. You'll find a very helpful intro here How to guide which will point you in the right direction, and the Writing Workshops Directory WWD is a great place to road test your opening pages, chapters, blurbs & synopses etc.

If there's anything you're unsure about or need help with please drop me a message and I'll be happy to help.