Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Darcy Woods

Success Story Interview - Darcy Woods

An Interview with Darcy Woods (woodswrite on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Catherine Drayton of InkWell Management.

06/22/2013

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Darcy Woods:
SUMMER OF SUPERNOVA is a young adult contemporary romance about a zodiac savant, hell-bent on living her life in perfect accordance with her astrological chart. But, come on, when does life EVER go according to plan?! Mostly, I just wanted to spin a humorous and heartfelt story about love (this one has triangles!), and loss (both literal and metaphorical).
QT: How long have you been writing?: Darcy Woods:
About 3 years.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Darcy Woods:
The seedling for the idea came less than a year ago, but then I had to read up on astrology—which is as fascinating as it is complicated! But in terms of active finger-to-keyboard writing and polish? Hmm, about 7 months.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Darcy Woods:
I never really felt like giving up. Probably because I'm stubborn as a mule:) Were there times when the mountain seemed impossibly high and ridiculous to navigate? God Almighty, YES! But that is why we have writer friends and wine and chocolate—it's an author's trifecta.
QT: Is this your first book?: Darcy Woods:
No. This is my second…or third depending on how you want to look at it. I wrote my first book (a YA paranormal romance), and then rewrote it completely, and then wrote SUPERNOVA.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Darcy Woods:
None. Although I did join RWA several years ago and took advantage of every writing workshop I could squeeze in at the National Conferences. Plus, I received invaluable support and advice from other writers I connected with there. It truly takes a village. Some of us need a metropolis. *points to self*
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Darcy Woods:
I am a weekend warrior. I find I do better when I have large blocks of time for my writing. Since my full-time job consumes the workweek, weekends became my BICHOK time :) I would get up at 6am-ish and plow through until 6pm-ish. That period of my life was…scary.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Darcy Woods:
I tend to edit as I go, so I suppose one major edit, and a second minor one.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Darcy Woods:
I have three of the world's most amazing CP's. Without them, my story would've never shined so bright!
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Darcy Woods:
Total pantser. But I generally have an idea of the main conflict, a couple key scenes, and the ending. The rest I fill in with word Spackle I buy in bulk from Home Depot.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Darcy Woods:
I queried this project for a week before I had my first offer. My last project I queried for about 8 months.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Darcy Woods:
19
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Darcy Woods:
First and foremost, agents that I thought might be interested in a story like this. (I know—that's a no-brainer.) Otherwise, it was mainly agents that had previously requested my work, and some that had asked I send along my next project.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Darcy Woods:
NEVER write for trend, but ALWAYS be aware of it. When I wrote my first book I was clueless about the publishing industry. I didn't know the genre I'd written had become so saturated, therefore, significantly reducing my chances of gaining representation. This time I married my industry knowledge AND my muse! I found a clever way to incorporate my thirst for mysticism, while delivering a genre agents and editors seemed hungry for.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Darcy Woods:
Here it is. In all its imperfect glory...

Success Story Interview - Darcy Woods

Query Letter: