#10Queries Tweets Compilation

Some of the #RevPit editors recently hosted a #10Queries event, during which writers received feedback on their query letters and first five pages. The event was a lot of fun, and to keep it going, I've compiled my #10Queries tweets into this hand-dandy blog post!
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It's time for my #10Queries! As I've done in previous #RevPit contests, I'm implementing an emoji rating system:

□= I want to read this right now!
□ = I'd consider requesting, l but I'm on the fence.
□ = I'd pass.

Let's do this!

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Yes, there's a typo in this one. And it will haunt me forever.

Q1: WF - Interesting premise and clear stakes. But I don't get a sense of the MC or setting. Too many questions pull me out of the story. The bio is impressive but takes too much page space. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q2: Sci-Fi - I sense the plot is intriguing, but the query isn't specific enough. It's much shorter than it could be and contains too many vague statements that need explanations. Very little sense of the MC or voice. ? #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P2: Begins in medias res. Lays out heavier stakes than we saw in the query. But the pages don't orient the reader; I don't know where the action is taking place. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q3: YA F - Wow. I am HOOKED. High stakes and a killer premise with twist after twist. The query is concise and gives a tiny peak at the world building and characterization, while showcasing the unique plot and conflicts. More, please! ? #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P3: Sets the stage and then dives right into the action. After five pages, I have a developing sense of the MC and the story's world. The pages alone wouldn't be overly exciting, but knowing what's coming from the query, I definitely want more. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q4: MG F - Well-written query that emphasizes the MC's inner conflict. Although the premise is not overly unique, it's very relevant and enticing. A bit more info about the stakes related to the external conflict would make this query sing. ? #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P4: Fantastic, relevant imagery that both sets the scene and provides insights in the MC. Opens with a mini-conflict that builds tension and urgency. These pages went so fast, and I was dying for more! #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q5: Cozy - Word count pushing upper limits. Unique voice I hope is representative of the pages. Not specific enough about the aspects of the MS that separate it from the crowd. Overall, the query shows potential but doesn't pull me in. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P5: Fun voice and an MC I'd like to follow. But the it starts with mundane routine. The story either needs to begin earlier or incorporate some sort of conflict right off the bat. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q6: Romance - Great setup. I love the MC's backstory. But I'd like to see more specifics about the story's conflicts and the obstacles the story's two main characters face. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P6: Begins with a prologue of sorts that doesn't seem necessary. Great voice and MC. But the pacing is awkward. The pages jump through several scenes to accomplish what could have been done in a single cohesive scene. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q7: Para Romance - The voice is killer (pun intended). I am excited to get to know this MC, but the query is missing high stakes. I get a hint of the internal conflict, but it's not clear why the decision matters or what the worst-case scenario is. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P7: Fantastic voice and smooth pacing. These pages flow well, introduce the main conflict, and make me excited to read more. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q8: Romance - The first lines of this query got me. I'm already laughing and wincing. The query showcases the MCs and the MS's voice, and it lays out a solid external conflict. I want more! □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

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P8: Currently writing these tweets in public and laughing out loud at these pages. This is gold—the situation and the MC's reaction. If the rest of the MS is as funny as the first five pages, I'm sold. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q9: YA F - I want this. Right. Now. Killer premise and high, personal stakes. This MC has a job to do, and she's going to lose something very dear to her if she fails. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P9: The pages start a bit to early and muddle the opening conflict with too many characters. But once we get close enough to the MC, there is enough of her personality and internal conflicts to make me want more. #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

Q10: YA F - Yes! I already adore the MC, and the query does a great job layout out the big-picture stakes AND what's at stake for the MC. The query includes several layers of conflict, without feeling muddled, and shows potential for a complex world. □ #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

P10: Begins in medias res. Incorporates world building, relevant backstory, and character details organically. I'm already completely invested in the MC, and I wanted more pages! #10Queries #RevPit

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

That's it for my #10Queries! Thanks for following along. I am super impressed with the quality of the queries in my batch. Happy querying, #RevPit community!

P.S. Be sure to stick around for @editorrascon, who will be tweeting for the next hour! pic.twitter.com/66XERXutJd

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 16, 2019

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I've read through all my #RevPit #10queries entries! Overall, I'm crazy impressed, but I saw some similar issues cropping up in the submissions. pic.twitter.com/rT6HUCvFzm

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 12, 2019

Don't be afraid to get specific. I know you guys don't want to give away the farm, but general statements won't set your MS apart from the crowd! #RevPit #10Queries pic.twitter.com/uxIoEECT4D

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 12, 2019

Stakes, stakes, stakes. (Did I mention stakes?) You can give us an amazing MC, a complex world, and an intriguing premise—but if you don't specify the worst-case scenario, we can't help but ask, "Why should we care?" #RevPit #10Queries pic.twitter.com/hIPYMlavQi

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 12, 2019

As a whole, my queries did exceptionally good job showcasing voice, which can be difficult and often does not receive enough attention. So kudos! #RevPit #10Queries pic.twitter.com/kGnrl23TKb

— Victoria Griffin (@victoria_grif7) February 12, 2019

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I hope you all got some great information from the #10Queries tweets! Remember, I'm not the only one who participated, so be sure to check out all the tweets from the event, and keep an eye on the RevPit account for more events.​ Happy querying!

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​P.S. For more in-depth query help, check out my online, self-guided Query Course! The course will guide you through the process of writing a query letter that will hook any agent or editor.
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