Wrapped in a Pretty Bow
My best friend, Pammie, is the Martha Stewart of Halloween. But she is no slacker at Christmas. JVZ, frequent blog guest, gets positively giddy over her Christmas cookies. I have to be cautious about even letting my family know her cookies have arrived in the mail, since I am concerned a cage match could break out over them. And then there are her PRESENTS. Not only perfectly thoughtful . . . but wrapped with creativity. When MY presents are wrapped, there's tape every whichway, and the corners are smashed and smushed. No bows. People are lucky it's Christmas wrapping paper, usually.
Which brings me to writing.
You see, I kind of think of Pammie's wrapping as the goal of a query letter, and the present itself as the manuscript. As a writer, if you aren't already aware, it seems you spend a great deal of time agonizing over that present--making sure it's special.
And then you spend a lot of energy making sure it's wrapped special. In fact, it seems our entire lives as writers is spent making our writing special and then making sure we showcase what's so special when we pitch. The hook is that big fat bow on top.
In this economic climate, it's nice to see a lot of writers say they just have to write better/smarter . . . have their concept be irresistible. I agree. If I read a query that's solid--but doesn't tell me what's SPECIAL . . . I would imagine an editor might pass. It's never enough to write a book that's good. If your present doesn't stand out under that tree as the one you want to open first . . . it's going to be relegated to that present you opened when you were seven--you know . . . the pajamas. Or socks.
How do you think your wip is SPECIAL?
35 comments:
I dunno. Jeez, E, it's 8:38 in the morning. You want me to THINK?
OK, now I'm nervous. You mean my book isn't special just because I wrote it? You're wrong! Just ask my mother! ;)
Really...one of the hardest parts for me is to come out of a shell enough to say THIS IS MINE AND THIS IS HOW AND WHY ITS GREAT. I'm in the midst of a tug 'o war with a query...and I'm never sure who is going to win.
I also read recently about an agent who said the queries are so good that the partials and fulls aren't matching up to that quality or voice or idea. Also something to keep in mind. Hook 'em, but reel them in with the real thing.
I guess. I think. Oh hell, I have no clue, E. It's not even 8am here!
Things have always been hard for writers, but my impression is that that's especially true right now for two extra reasons: (1) The present recession; and (2)Not as many people read books as used to, which I think is sad. For me, reading has always been a great getaway.
The second thing worries me more than the first. Maybe something like the Kindle really is the answer. One of these days, I might be interested in reading a blog on your opinions about the future direction for books and the publishing industry as it effects writers.
And one other comment--To me it would be a tragedy to have the publishing industry reduced only to mega-sellers. That would cut out a lot of good writing.
Of course I think my WIP is special, but I'll have to get back to you on why I think that. :)
I do believe that the wrapping should match the present, as in, kick-ass query = kick ass story. It's like watching QVC - some of those salespersons make what their hawking seem like I can't live without it. Fortunately, they have a great return policy...but shipping and handling is killing me.
Love the analogy!
Why is my story special when there have been a million just like it out there...
Perspective?
It's hard to know oneself. I have no idea what makes me different. I can pinpoint and analyze others precisely, but not myself. Sometimes people call stuff of mine original when it's been done million times before. I don't understand that.
My manuscript contains a sparkling drop of Retsyn.
LOL about Amy's mother. I'm good at blurbs. (I used to write greeting card copy.) And I always send pages along. In an email query, I paste the first 5 or so pages in the body of the email. In a snail mail query, I send the first 3 pages.
I love this analogy! It's a different way to look at the query process, much like a recent comparison of an outline to a blueprint.
I think my story is unique but I worry that won't come across in my query (it's not written yet). I know there are immigrant stories out there, but mine has corrupt military officials, a strip club with a prostitution ring, and a run for the MCs life through the desert.
I feel it's special because I am causing ordinary everyday people to look at and dissect a facet of life in a perspective they would have never looked at it before. People that normally wouldn't look at something because it doesn't appeal to their "demographic".
And of course, all this in knowing that there really isn't any such thing as "ordinary everyday people"". We are ALL awesome in our own right. :)
Great analogy. I'm gonna go wrap some presents now!
Mark:
Come on, Dude. Time to get the creative juices flowing!
E
Amy:
Mother always knows best!
E
Joe:
I always think there needs to be a home for new voices, quirky voices. I agree it would be a shame to lose the midlist.
E
Kath:
As you probably know from my blog, I am OBSESSED with QVC, though I have never, ever bought anything from them. They make everything sound so awesome!!!
E
Aimless:
I think it's a mistake for any of us writers to say "It's the writing." I sincerely feel that. Because every writer should be a wonderful writer. So I tend to be of the opinion it's not enough.
E
Spy:
I tend to think my specialness varies.
Freudian Slip--high concept
WIP--same thing
The Roofer--voice, unique worldview, characters not done in that way before
Jude:
Good luck with that. ;-)
E
Edie:
Interesting--I have never heard of that technique, but that makes sense if the pages hold up to the query and leave 'em wanting more!
E
Melanie:
When it's time to do the query, shoot it to me and I'll take a look if you want. Totally serious.
E
Realm:
Causing people to question is important, I think. You need to rock some boats sometimes.
E
Erica, I'd like to hire some of those QVC hawkers to write my next query/synopsis. :)
Erica, I will definitely take you up on that offer, thank you!
Every author tells a story from their unique viewpoint, so that makes 'em special. I guess it's whether you truly make it yours all the way. And that takes some gut-action, which is cool. I like gut. :)
I read a anthology recently, where the theme was the same for each story but written by four different authors. An experiment that really made an impression on me. The author makes it special, no one else.
The book was titled, It Happened One Night, and the authors never discussed their work until after the stories were written. The only rules were same theme/plot, each took a different season, and walla an experiment was born.
LaDonna:
Definitely. We each have a unique voice. But again . . . to attract an agent, editor, publisher, reviewer, whatever . . . there has got to be something that is the bow. The voice I see as the different patterns on wrapping paper. Each one a little different. But in PITCHING, it will never, I don't think, be enough to say, "This is boy meets girl and my story is different because I am an individual and therefore I write as myself--the only one like me." Uniqueness of author is a given. So it needs something else, again, just in my opinion.
E
Erica, that's why I'll probably suck at promo! Seriously, I gotta find those bows!
Love how your blogs stir the ideas!
"There is no charge for awesomeness"
However, there is a charge for being special and unique and well written. At least that is what I keep telling myself :)
ewoh:
You're all of the above. :-)
E
Thanks Erica. I'll just keep telling myself that as I type. Since you are the expert, I'll just go with what you say :)
hmmm, I don't have a direct comment, except you reminded me about Christmas itself, and I finished wrapping my presents today. They're sitting on the ottoman guarded by "Puppet Angel" (from Buffy.)
Instead of a tree, I have puppet angel. It's the one with fangs, and it freaks out my mother haha!
Without using my age as a crutch I'm totally unsure of what's going to POP about my book.
I'm hoping that the writing will speak for itself, and even though I'm not the most seasoned amoung those in the writing world I believe that my unmatchable story and world will be what gets the book noticed at first...but who knows in this crazy world.
I agree 100%, Erica. It is not initially about the writing at all. Many don't even want to see a page of your ms until they have seen your concept. It is all about the concept. And therein lies the rub. What is a high concept? We probably know when we come up with one, but how often does that happen? Mweanwhile, we write well-written books that don't ever get looked at because the concept is not high enough or unique enough.
Back to the drawing board.
Zoe:
I still haven't started shopping. It terrifies me.
E
JT:
I do hope so too. I think I'm in this biz long enough that I don't think that's enough--and maybe that's a shame. I don't know . . . so much is marketing. So much is being aware the entire process is a team effort and you need to give marketing something to hang their hat on, publicity the same.
E
Hi Suzanne:
It's what makes the editor or agent pick out YOUR present under the tree--and I agree . . . it needs something to make it stand out. You said it very well . . . .
E
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