Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Fake Plots

Possibly no one would care if the Guess the Plot feature were no longer included in Face-Lifts. If so, I can get to them faster (though the faster I get to them, the faster there are none in the queue). I bring this up because they haven't been coming in at their former rate lately.

37 comments:

Kiersten White said...

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

I'll submit a dozen or so when the kids go down for naps.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I like the Fake Plots! The false plots sometimes sound more interesting than the real ones.

PJD said...

Personally, GTP is one of my favorite features of the blog. I'll pop over and submit a few today.

EB said...

I love the GTP. I've been remiss in submitting some. These are some doozies. Whoa.

Stacy said...

For the last few days, I've been trying to submit one a day, like a vitamin. But maybe it's a different kind of pill entirely for you, EE.

The GTP is one of my favorite features. Please don't take it away!

Anonymous said...

Wow, look at all the brown-nosing. BTW, I'll submit one, too.

PJD said...

In further defense of the GTP feature, I can think of several times the best advice to an author was to "start over, using EE's GTP as your foundation." It's often incredibly instructive to see your own work distilled by The Evil Expert into a two sentence blurb. Especially when that blurb highlights the inadequacies of the query.

Also, a vampire.

Dave Fragments said...

Even though I kinda suck at the GTPs and most of mine end up in the trash, I like to read and guess what the story is about from the title. It's fun to read five or six titles and then think about which one might be the plot.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a huge fan of the GTP, but I'm still new. Maybe I simply don't understand. Perhaps three fake plots would be as useful as five or six????

Maybe adding a synopsis review to the query thing? (If you run out of queries)

I'm sure you'll get it figured out, and it will be better than ever. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help and thanks for all you do.

Ulysses said...

I enjoy the GTP, both reading and writing them.

The reading is always funny and it's amazing what people will come up with when given a word or phrase as a title.

The writing is enjoyable because of the free association involved.

Please keep them.

Anonymous said...

I sent one in. I should do more. Please don't take the GTPs away!! Unless you replace it with another feature.
ME

fairyhedgehog said...

I love Guess The Plots. They are so imaginative and I'm often wrong when I guess what has to be the only sensible plot of the lot.

Brenda said...

I'd see about using less per plot. I tend to scan them. I want to get to the query and watch his Evil Red Pen (okay... blue font) trash things.

Brenda said...

Then again, I'm not around much anymore - I'm way too busy wallowing - so my opinion doesn't carry much weight.

Julie Weathers said...

All right, I'll submit a bunch. Anon, so no one will run away.

I enjoy them. It's one of the reasons I started lurking here.

Life is just very hectic right now, but I hope to be a useful member of society before long.

DD3123 said...

Argh! I love GTP. Guess I'll have to make some to keep it around :)

Phoenix Sullivan said...

Where will I get my next story ideas if you take away the GTPs?

Wendy, it's a little-known secret that EE will indeed "do" synopses. So long as they come in less than 400 words.

OK, maybe it's a widely known secret and minions just hate writing synopses more than they hate writing queries.

talpianna said...

A useful member of society, Julie? No heavy lifting--remember, you're delicate!

Anonymous said...

It's a different breed of minion these days. Too busy promoting their own blogs to write silly GTP's.

Anonymous said...

I'd proffer myself on bended knee to prevent the GTP from disappearing, but I am one homely fellow. And, I don’t swing that way.
I’d offer my wife, but the ensuing venom from said bride (and possibly the minions) would render me blind.
May I offer a gas gift card instead?

Phoenix Sullivan said...

Too busy promoting their own blogs to write silly GTP's.

Hmmm. I happen to be one of a group to whom EE has generously donated some much-appreciated PSA time for a blog that promotes published authors -- something we're all trying to become.

I also happen to suck at writing GTPs and captions. I'd simply embarrass myself submitting any, so I don't. But I do contribute when it comes to trying to improve minions' queries. You may notice I contribute A LOT. My observations may not always be on target and you may well cringe whenever you see one of my comments, but my remarks are always thought out, usually comprehensive, and express my studied opinion. It takes time to do a good critique and write out what you hope is truly helpful advice. Or to rewrite a query for someone. But you likely know that, Anon, because I assume you must be a regular contributor to this site, whether it be writing regularly chosen GTPs or continuations or captions or offering detailed critiques on queries or openings.

Don't think I haven't noticed the number of people who pop a query or opening up for critique and never bother to critique anyone else's queries or openings, or comment at all. Most critique sites actually require a little effort in return. But EE gives due to anyone who comes by wanting a little help. And the rest of us play along -- or not. And we all do it for free.

So, if I'm one of the ones you're referring to as doing more self-promoting than contributing, I'll plead as any politician would: I'm proud of my record here and I'll let the record speak for itself.

Julie Weathers said...

Well said, Phoenix.

I normally try to pull my weight wherever I am, but lately I'm spread a little thin. Finishing the book, Barbara Rogan's workshop, getting packed to move, preparing for son's deployment, trying to wrap up divorce, learning how to write complete sentences, and any and all of the above.

If I weren't waiting for son's girlfriend to come get my car so she can go to the armory, I would have been in bed long ago. Instead, I am rambling, trying to stay awake.

However, EE and the minions have been incredibly helpful and generous with their advice. I'm only aware of one blog that has been mentioned or promoted here, other than the anniversary one, and it is the Book Roast. When everyone else puts in the effort these people have, we will be in tall cotton.

So, until I can be a little more productive, please bear with me.

Tal, you're right. I am delicate so I can't lift heavy things or strain myself lest I get the vapors. Luckily, I have a fainting couch for such occasions.

Robin S. said...

Different breed of minion, huh?

Hmmmmm.

Julie Weathers said...

Hmmm, thought I got up early enough to beg EE not to publish my rant. It seems he got up earlier.

"I’d offer my wife, but the ensuing venom from said bride (and possibly the minions) would render me blind."

Definitely. The harem rooms are getting quite crowded as is. Save yourself and just send a GTP when you can. Your wife thanks you, your eyesight thanks you and EE will thank you.

ril said...

And as soon as I can shake off this damned virus and think straight again, I'll, uh, be back...

Robin S. said...

Hey, ril.

Hope you feel better soon. I've been wondering where you were.

none said...

*wanders in*

Anyone look at my blog lately?

*wanders out*

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the low-down on the synopses Phoenix.

Little did she know...

talpianna said...

Julie, is that the same fainting couch under which I conduct my salon?

Julie Weathers said...

You are conducting a salon under my fainting couch? I'm quite sure that would give me even more reasons to faint.

Julie Weathers said...

Anyone look at my blog lately?

I have, though I confess I am trying to wean myself off my blog addiction. I have to. Must. Write. More.

writtenwyrdd said...

I hope you decide to keep the GTP, EE. It really does help to see how you can point out the flaws in the query by distilling it into a couple of sentences. And an afterthought noun.

talpianna said...

Julie, I have had a salon under the fainting couch on dictionary.com.forum for ages! It's for those who want more intellectual entertainment than the constant party that goes on under the chesterfield; but I do serve tea and crumpets and little cakes.

Julie Weathers said...

While I do enjoy tea and crumpets and little cakes, I really don't want a party under my fainting couch.

When I get another home, (God, this is yet another prayer about that, in case you didn't recognize it) I'm going to have a fainting couch in my bedroom. Perhaps one in my office also.

No moles allowed, though. Sorry, Tal.

talpianna said...

Julie, I have my own fainting couch. Upholstered in pale green satin. It was a personal gift from Madame Recamier:

http://tinyurl.com/5g7bo3

To visit the salon, go here: http://tinyurl.com/6qkr3g

Unfortunately, the original fainting couch pic is no longer available.

Sylvia said...

Evil Editor Blog Promotion Services - nah, somehow doesn't have the same ring to it.

I often read the GTPs, other times I skip them. I don't submit them so it'd be a bit remiss of me to beg for them to stay.

However, it doesn't seem like there's an overload of query letters as a general rule (which is great) so does slowing things down a bit more make a real difference?

The big benefit is that authors waiting blame the minions for not GTP-ing rather than you.

Julie Weathers said...

Tal, you knew I would love that couch. What beautiful burled wood.

I bookmarked your site.

Speaking of fantasy, when Will gets back from Iraq, we plan to go to Ireland. I think I need to find the shop where you find those cakes. Those are so yummy looking it would be worth a side trip to England.

What a charming setting.