Writers Guide To Literary Agents
Creative Writers – Can You Write Good Transition Sentences?
Creative writers and journalists sometimes have the problem of smoothly transitioning from one paragraph to the other, especially when they are changing the subject. This is a learned skill that is not hard to master. By the time you read this article, you will fully understand the trick to it.
When we writers hop from one topic to another without a transition sentence, we “jar” our readers. While sentence transitions may be the last line in a paragraph, they are more commonly used as the first line in a new paragraph. They are like a bridge, connecting one idea to another.
Warted characters are memorable. The warts help the reader identify the characters in their minds.
Huh? What happened to the discussion on transition sentences? Were you trying to figure that out? If so, now you know how a “jarred” reader feels. Warts don’t relate to transition sentences at all, but we can make them relate by connecting the topics like this: (repeat)
“While sentence transitions may be the last line in a paragraph, they are more commonly used as the first line in a new paragraph. They are like a bridge, connecting one idea to another.
[transition sentence]
We could compare sentence transitions to ‘warts’ on characters. ‘Just as a ‘wart’ will blend readers minds with the character’s identification, transition sentences will blend readers minds to the change of topics.”
(Notice that we can use more than one transition sentence to help the reader follow our train of thought.)
Here is another example from a camping article. We’re picking up toward the end of the article. The subject was preparing for a vacation and using a credit card for gasoline purchases. It will now blend into an after-vacation recap of never paying interest. See if you can pick out the transition words.
“For every ,000 you charge on a Flying J credit card per month, you will receive a coupon, which can be used at the online Flying J, or in their restaurant.
By combining the above suggested methods with this plan, you will seldom, if ever, run out of vacation money or have to use an ATM machine; further you will never owe interest, never make a physical payment, and never carry a balance.”
What were the transition words? I’ll tell you – “By combining… ” and the word “further”. Those three little words exited a financial camping program and carried the subject to the after-vacation recap.
Certain words make good transitions. Some of them are: further, besides, in addition to, instead of, specifically, to sum up, although, beyond, close, for instance, again, moreover, accordingly, as a result, during, to illustrate, finally, on the contrary, to compare, consequently, if, then, meanwhile, but, nevertheless, therefore, subsequently, otherwise, so, formerly.
Your Assignment: pick up something to read and pick out the transition words. They will always be in the first sentence of the next paragraph. After you’ve done this a few times, look at some of your own work and see if you can improve your transitions.
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Do you need the writers market AND the guide to literary agents, or will just the writers market do?
What about the guide to the novel and short story if you are writing a novel? And do you think it is better to buy it or look at a copy at the library? (though they won’t let you check it out, you have to take notes in one sitting).
Also, if I bought the writers market 2007 right now, do you think it would still be OK? Cause I can get it cheaper used than buying the 2008 brand new. Would the info still be good you think?
Writer’s Market or Guide To Literary Agents?
I’m writing series romance and hope to get published with harlequin. But I’d like a book with literary agents and markets and stuff just for good measure. I can only buy one cause they are expensive, and literary agents is cheaper than the writers market. So, which of the two do you think is better? What are the differences? Pros and Cons? Thanks!
I know that Jackie 🙂 That’s why I said for good measure, in case harlequin doesn’t fall through and it’s back to zero 😉
Which is better, The Writers Market or Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents?
actually Harlequin has submission requirements on their website and you do not need an agent. But if you were to buy a book you should buy “Writer’s Market.”
Do you need The Writer’s Market AND The Guide to Literary Agents?
I have a writer’s market from 1997 (lol OLD haha) and I think it has a section in it that lists literary agents. Is the guide to literary agents more thorough for the genre you are looking for or what?
I asked this earlier and didn’t get an answer for this question, so I’ll try again.
no no no I’m not asking do I need a new one. I think that is pretty duh since the one I have is 10 years old. I was just mentioning it to mention that it listed literary agents in it. I’m buying The Writers Market, and I’m asking do I need to buy the Guide to Literary Agents too.
I only use the Guide to Literary Agents – haven’t seen the Writer’s Market.
I have a 2006 & 2007 Guide and have found them VERY helpful.
Get a new one. There were 2 agents in the 2006 Guide that I queried that are not in the 2007 Guide.
Good luck
both would help even more
What’s better for the aspiring writer; 2010 guide to Literary agents, or 2010 writer’s guide?
Actually, I rely on the Guide to Literary Agents. And of course, we’re currently on the 2007 version.
Don’t discount ebooks either.
It depends on where you are with your writing and how much you need to learn about the publishing industry as a whole. The Guide to Literary Agents strictly focuses on the last steps of presentation for your work. This picks up after the point in which you have already gotten your work in to the best shape it can be in (at least by you and your resources). This guide will teach you how to write query letters, book proposals and synopsis and how to format both plus your manuscript according to the submission guidelines of each Agent they list. This book tells you what genres each agent/agency represents, who their current published authors are as well as any other agents working with them. This is like the agent who’s who and they try to include only agents with a proven track record and who are respected in the publishing world.
The book provides conferences and workshop information where you could literally meet with agents if you register ahead of time. Most are pitch sessions that run about 15 minutes. The book tells you what you’ll need and how to talk to an agent.
* I didn’t see a writer’s guide but The 2010 Writers Market. It is a more comprehensive list. It lists publishers and what they are looking for as well as their submission guidelines. It has a list of agents too and it teaches you how to rid your manuscript of rookie mistakes that will get it tossed before an editor will even look at it. It tells you how to submit to other publications as well. It gives you plenty of pros and cons to writing over all with helpful samples and stories and examples.
So if you aren’t sure if your work is ready for the market then the Writers Market is better for you. If you know (more or less) what you are doing then Literary agents is the one you might get.