As I mentioned before, Rick Daley over at the Query Slushpile is holding a contest to discern whether it’s easier to write a query or the first 5 pages (I’m changing my answer to: the pages), and also to debunk the idea that a novel premise can be “stolen.” Writers were supposed to write a query and the first 5 pages of a novel based on the following premise:
Our protagonist has found evidence that the government is being lured into war. If the country engages in the conflict abroad, its military will not be able to deal with an imminent invasion by a rival nation. The problem is that the source of the information is a double-agent, and our protagonist is being set up to cause the war he/she is trying to prevent.
The 10 entries are up, all starting with “Query Me This …” including mine, titled THIRD DAUGHTER. Hop on over and check out the entries and leave some comments, if you are so inclined. I would love to hear what you think of my latest idea for a new young adult steampunk novel!
Let me guess: even with the same premise, none of your stories are alike? I'm hopping.
@Myrna Yes! Which is lovely, I think.
I hadn't heard about this. I love the premise! Thanks for the heads up.
Excellent entry, Susan. And you've done so much work on it already, it could very well turn into a cool book!