Before getting to the meat of today’s post, I have announcement concerning T.A.A. I forgot to mention last week.
Musical Musings, and my other usual schedule postings will be on hiatus as I work through my offline life.
But I do have an update worth sharing today.
Earlier this month, I signed up for a Query Blog Hop, started by the blog “Between The Sheets” by author/editor, Heather Webb.
For those too busy to read the whole rundown on Heather’s blog, here’s (roughly) how it works-
Writers who registered before 6/22/12, critique each other’s query letter(s), maximum of two per entrant, and send a revised “final” version based on feedback, by Friday [6/29/12] at Midnight.
The winner gets a free editorial critique of their first 2,000 words, and so I hope you’ll offer your thoughts on one or both queries I share with you today.
This contest also gives me an opportunity to sharpen my own critiquing skills, which is still not a straightforward thing for me, but I’m trying.
Without further delay, here are my entries-
NOTE: Any changes differing from the norm of “standard issue submission format” was done for ease of reading via the blog.
Query #1
Dear Agent,
Gabriel Crisping loves pawing through junkyards, village alleys, dumpsters, salvaging the junk humans throw out—and he recycles them to build his inventions. While some of the forest residents appreciate his tinkering, the majority his fellow rats, even his best friend Rum Wheatland, think him a crazy dreamer.
When a harsh storm blows in, ruining a promising dumpster dive, Gabriel seeks refuge in Mr. Quint’s toy shop. He finds a kindred spirit in the elderly toymaker, who loves theorizing and inventing contraptions as much as Gabriel does. Yet by befriending Mr. Quint, Gabriel has broken a universal law – he has spoken directly to a human! Gabriel keeps Mr. Quint a secret until Rum’s parents are killed in a human trap. When Rum learns of Gabriel’s friendship, he severs ties with him and focuses his anger on Mr. Quint, planning to wage war toward not only the old toymaker, but also humanity at large.
The only way for Gabriel to save Mr. Quint is to stop Rum, whose grief sinks him into the madness and violence of vengeance. The only thing worse than losing an old friend, is betraying a new one, and maybe, he can save them both.
GABRIEL is a 34,000-word middle grade novel. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Query #2
Dear Agent,
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Wonder of the Week
Swinebert Swaggers In!
Musical Musings #4 (Top 10 Jazz and Rock ) + Feel Good
This week, I’ll share my favorite single songs* from various bands or artists from wide range of musical styles.
Now on with this week’s song picks-
Top 10 Jazz Singles
1. Sunlight (*Single) by Esperanza Spalding
2. “The Trumpet Child” by Over The Rhine (From the album, The Trumpet Child)
3. “Hard Times” (By The Crusaders From Old Socks, New Shoes)
4. “Prelude For Lovers” (By Fourplay feat. Esperanza Spalding From Energy)
5. “Way Back Home” (By The Crusaders From Old Socks, New Shoes)
6. “Bemsha Swing” by The Caribbean Jazz Project (From the Album, The Gathering)
8. “Your Heart Is As Black As Night” (by Melody Gardot – My One and Only Thrill)
Top 10 Rock Songs
1. “Munasawagi No After School” by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)
2. “Skies So Blue” by The Rocket Summer (From the album, Calendar Days)
3. “A Voice In the Dark” by Elvis Costello (From the album, National Ransom)
4. “A Slow Drag With Josephine” by Elvis Costello (From the album, National Ransom)
5. “Summersong” by The Decemberists (From the album, The Crane Wife)
6. “Onegai Kamisama Dream Come True” by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)
7. “Be My Valentine” by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VI)
8. “My Half Broken Radio” by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VII)
9. “Love On the Border” by LINDBERG (From the album, LINDBERG VII)
10. “Welcome to my Life” by Melissa Ferrick (From the album, Valentine Heartache)
Top 10 Feel Good Songs
6. “Beautiful Life” by Fisher (From the album, The Lovely Years)
Share your top ten song recommendations in the comments below.
That’s it for Musical Musings. Next week the regular in-depth review format returns. (I promise for real this time!)