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Mamma Mia In Space.

Using the eyes to express emotion which they can't do is similar to using dialogue tags which denote actions that do not generate speech -- you can't laugh, giggle, smile, bark, etc. words in dialogue. Do people understand what you mean when you use such tags? Yes, they do. But does it serve the primary purpose of a speaker tag - to identify the speaker. No, it doesn't. People, even famous authors still resort to such things on occasion and they get away with it. Why? Because they can and they know they can. Now, the question becomes, "Can you get away with it?" Obviously, if you think you can and are comfortable that your audience will also be comfortable with it, or at least accept it, then you've nothing to lose. The decision will be yours up until some future traditional publisher says change it and you'd rather do so than not make the sale. Good luck either way. Take care. Vern

The more we think we learn, the more we see "mistakes" in other works. Kinda like the English teacher who is always catching mistakes in the way people talk. The one on the receiving end may not see the "nit-picking" as a mistake, only natural speech despite the technical incorrectness which the "expert" will notice. I do see things which give me pause in most anything I read anymore, but I try to ignore the interruptions as they detract from the enjoyment and there ain't a damn thing I can do about it after the fact. Once it is spoke, it can't be unspoke. Take care. Vern

Probably true, but some rabbit holes are fun to go down. Just ask Alice. Take care. Vern

Einstein agrees with Sideman. He called it "bending light" so it's probably safe to say he would have called it "refraction" if that were the case. Take care. Vern

Reflection is the word, but there also might be another question within your example. Do you need to tell the reader it is sparkling and dazzling or might you simply show it with the reflected light creating dapples in the yard and such -- which you are doing anyway. Just a thought. Take care. Vern

Or it could be, "sayeth the Lord" for variety or Biblical familiarity, depending upon other context. Take care. Vern

Pretty much the same way "look" could be treated in another post. You describe something which would indicate the head shake as opposed to saying "shook his/her head" in the same way you would describe what someone is seeing as opposed to saying "look" before doing so. Good article. Take care. Vern

"Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect." Courtesy Lee Trevino I believe, but would certainly apply to writing as well as golf. Writing the same old stuff doesn't improve anything no matter how much you write. Take care. Vern

Hi, LA, welcome to the site. Depressing experiences of the memoir type can be handled in different ways and of course the "voice" is crucial to the acceptance by the reader imho. As you mention the HEA results, the things leading up to that are key elements of tension, obstacles, character building, etc. which make for a good story. Depending upon the voice chosen, unpleasant experiences can be presented in a palatable manner for the reader whether gut wrenching or a more lighthearted style. I invite you to check out my novel Root Hog or Die for an example of the lighter side. It is a "memoir" basically, but uses composite characters to protect the guilty. There is no need to leave a review unless you wish to make a comment. Good luck with your writing. Take care. Vern

PS: If you decide to read, all chapters of RHOD beyond the first three are inactive, but I will gladly activate should you wish to continue.

I don't question your experience in the industry. I agree that the genre is important to the agent/publisher going forward with marketing, etc.  What I don't agree with is that it is imperative to know what that genre might ultimately be in the eye of said agent/publisher. My point is that you pick the genre the way you see it and then don't waste a lot of time worrying about whether it is "right" or not. If the agent/publisher thinks it should be something different (and not everyone is going to agree) then they will use whatever they deem the most marketable for them.

Personal story. My first query letter many years ago when I didn't know what a query letter was and made no mention of genre got a very positive response. I had recently joined a writers' group and the initial reaction to my first presentation was that it read like an English 101 essay. It was suggested I change the voice to that of the child protagonist -- much the same way the original To Kill a Mockingbird was switched to the voice of Scout, not the adult. After making the voice switch on the first few chapters, I received many wows and decided I was ready for the big time.

I sent a letter to a reputable agent in NY with no mention of genre as I had no idea what should be in a query letter. I simply wrote the letter in the same voice as the child protagonist and explained my fits and starts in completing the story over many years due to putting food in my belly, etc. The agent responded in the same voice as my letter requesting a sample of three chapters or fifty pages (not sure exactly what it was all these years later) which I sent. Still no mention of genre by me or the agent.

The agent then requested the full manuscript suggesting it might fit in mid-grade. I sent the full manuscript with my opinion that it might not be suitable for mid-grade as the story evolved into more colorful language and graphic activities associated with coming of age. My mistake was that in my eagerness, I did not take the time to revise the rest of the manuscript into the same voice and gentler presentation. Thus the full manuscript was rejected, but it had nothing to do with me not placing it within a specific genre with my query letter. That is my point. Sure, you should state the genre in your query, but not being certain of what that genre is should not be a problem to lose sleep over. It is more of a big deal for the agent/publisher than it is for the author and said agent/publisher knows where to put it if the story has merit. That's the way I see it. Take care. Vern