Contributors-
I'm sending in my first set of queries to Dragon. Do you feel like I do when you compose a query? As I'm writing it I find myself thinking, 'yes! These are creative, unique, and chock-full o' info for players and DMs alike. There is no way the editors won't like these!'
Am I setting myself up for disappointment? (I think I know the answer...)
Ron
Contributors-
I'm sending in my first set of queries to Dragon. Do you feel like I do when you compose a query? As I'm writing it I find myself thinking, 'yes! These are creative, unique, and chock-full o' info for players and DMs alike. There is no way the editors won't like these!'
Am I setting myself up for disappointment? (I think I know the answer...)
Ron
I don't think so.
It is my opinion that if you don't feel that way about your ideas then you shouldn't be querying them. For myself, the queries I submit are all concepts I would want to see in my games.
In terms of disappointment - not everything is going to be green lighted - that doesn;t mean the idea doesn't have merit. It may be that something that the editors see as as similar was already done or in the queu, it may be that for some reason they have elected to stay away from certain topics. It may also be that while your idea is something that makes a lot of sense for your game - it may not translate well to general use. OR it may be (and I am not saying this is the case) that whie lthe ideas are good the query is weak - and doesn't inspire confidence or you ability to execute. In my experience - ideas are easy - everyone has ideas, and most people think their own ideas are great, the ability to execute - thats something different.
Hope that helps.
Believe in your ideas!
I agree fully with Kyr :)
You need to feel your ideas are awesome and your writing has to convey that feeling to the editors. And don't give up, even if you don't succeed the first time. Keep going, and don't forget to include your great ideas in your own games!
They might just evolve from one idea into an even better one.
Good luck!
Contributor
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Frankly, I don't want to see an idea the author thinks is "okay" or is "meh" about. If your idea doesn't thrill you, why should it thrill me?
Be prepared for rejection. That is the motto every writer of every genre should staple to his computer monitor. We accept less than 10% of ideas queried to us.
As Kyr points out, that's not because 90% of the ideas that come to us are bad (yes, a certain percentage is questionable). Every reason he gives for a rejection is spot-on. Also remember that if you do receive a rejection it isn't you as a writer we're rejecting. We want everyone who sends us queries to send us more, no matter how many times we reject them. If you send us 100 ideas, we might only take one, but that single idea might be the next githyanki or the next Blood War.
Well, the query is off to Dragon and I feel great. Time to reload...
Thanks for the words, gang.
Ron