Query Critique

I had a professional query critique on Tuesday night. It was done on Google Plus (kind of like skyping - but with a group). And the query was shared on-screen. This is a really fun way to do a critique session. I mean...of course it's always best to do things in person, but when you can't, this is a great option.

I learned a lot, not just from my own query but from other writer's queries too. It was apparent that we all made similar "mistakes." None of us seemed to want to over sell ourselves. It's kind of funny. I mean we've got to sell our manuscript to get an agent to want to read the pages and writers may not have any problems with that portion of the project. But...when it comes to talking about ourselves. . . well, most of us just seem to suck. We can't think of the relevant, important things we should be saying in a query.

For example, I was querying a story about a girl with a mental illness. I totally neglected to include anything about my experience working with kids with behavioral and emotional disabilities. I also "forgot" to include the fact that I have a B.S. in psychology. Silly, silly me. And I heard others say the same sort of thing: "I didn't know what to say."

How 'bout you? Are you quick to offer information about yourself in a query? Can you pinpoint the important things you should say, and pare down the frivolous fluff?