The perils of the pitch paragraph
Pitch paragraph, back cover copy, really short synopsis -- call it what you will. It's getting to the core of your book (or book idea) and writing it in a such a compelling way that an agent will hit the reply button to ask you for a partial.
Soon I'll be writing a longer version of a pitch paragraph (more like pitch pages) to get another contract for more Raine Benares books. And since some of you have asked about writing pitch paragraphs, I thought I'd touch on it in today's blog.
Author and reviewer Jacqueline Lichtenberg has suggested that aspiring authors (and it applies to published authors as well) write their pitch paragraph BEFORE writing the book. Read the jacket copy for some of your favorite novels to get an idea of what I'm talking about. The jacket copy doesn't give everything away; it's touches on the core of the book in a compelling way -- compelling you to take that book off the store shelf and buy it. That's the goal.
She recommended that aspiring writers not wait to write their pitch paragraphs or what they would consider their own back cover copy for their novels. She suggested doing that even before the novel is complete. Even before the novel gets written. "If you can write good back cover copy for the novel you have in mind," Jacqueline said, "your writing will be forced to live up to the copy you've created. I think this is a great idea -- especially for writers who are kicking around several ideas and are contemplating which idea to pursue in terms of writing a novel. Write the back cover copy (in the way it would look if the novel were actually be published) and that alone will force you to focus on that essential plot catalyst that will drive your story forward and force you to focus the novel."
Folks, this is a fabulous idea. I'll be doing it for my upcoming synops/book proposals. It will help me narrow my focus on what the story is REALLY about. Because if you don't know the core of your book, you're gonna run into big trouble later on while writing it. You'll end up with scenes and chapters, but no plot/story to speak of. I speak from painful personal experience on this one. ; )
Tomorrow I'll tell you how I go about finding the "core" of my book, and what a synopsis is -- but most importantly -- what it isn't.
Lisa
Soon I'll be writing a longer version of a pitch paragraph (more like pitch pages) to get another contract for more Raine Benares books. And since some of you have asked about writing pitch paragraphs, I thought I'd touch on it in today's blog.
Author and reviewer Jacqueline Lichtenberg has suggested that aspiring authors (and it applies to published authors as well) write their pitch paragraph BEFORE writing the book. Read the jacket copy for some of your favorite novels to get an idea of what I'm talking about. The jacket copy doesn't give everything away; it's touches on the core of the book in a compelling way -- compelling you to take that book off the store shelf and buy it. That's the goal.
She recommended that aspiring writers not wait to write their pitch paragraphs or what they would consider their own back cover copy for their novels. She suggested doing that even before the novel is complete. Even before the novel gets written. "If you can write good back cover copy for the novel you have in mind," Jacqueline said, "your writing will be forced to live up to the copy you've created. I think this is a great idea -- especially for writers who are kicking around several ideas and are contemplating which idea to pursue in terms of writing a novel. Write the back cover copy (in the way it would look if the novel were actually be published) and that alone will force you to focus on that essential plot catalyst that will drive your story forward and force you to focus the novel."
Folks, this is a fabulous idea. I'll be doing it for my upcoming synops/book proposals. It will help me narrow my focus on what the story is REALLY about. Because if you don't know the core of your book, you're gonna run into big trouble later on while writing it. You'll end up with scenes and chapters, but no plot/story to speak of. I speak from painful personal experience on this one. ; )
Tomorrow I'll tell you how I go about finding the "core" of my book, and what a synopsis is -- but most importantly -- what it isn't.
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
7:34 AM
10 Comments:
An excellent suggestion, Lisa.
Especially helpful to those writers who claim their novel is far too complicated to distill into a back cover blurb.
Very similar to the screenwriter's exercise of writing a log line (or TV Guide summary) of their script.
Thank you, Ace! I'm glad it helped; that's what I'm here for. ; )
I'm definitely going to be doing this. Definitely helps with focus. I'm not good at summarising, so its good practice.
Question... I've noticed when reading back cover copy that it's nearly always in third person even if the novel's in first. The synop for my current WIP came to me directly from the MC's mouth. Should I convert it to 3rd person? Do you know of any pros and cons?
Hi Ashley,
If you're writing the book in first person, I'd recommend writing your synop in first person. That's how I do it. I wrote mine in first person, Raine's POV, and in the same snarky tone as the books. Anne (my editor) loved it!
This is an awesome post! Really very helpful. Still, my antagonist is hiding which is a pain. Hopefully tomorrow's post will help me work him or her out, and get to the point of the story. Thanks Lisa!
Wow, this is something I never thought of. I'll have to try it. :)
As I was editing a piece last week, I decided to take a break and write a query/pitch paragraph/whatever you want to call it. I ended up with this really great line in it, but it was totally stretching what actually happened in the plot. What ended up happening was exactly what your entry said--I ended up editing the next chapters with that line in mind, and upping the stakes on a sub-plot! So, fantastic post :-) Totally right-on.
Oh, that's really good advice! Not that I'm going to be writing anything anytime soon. Though, now that I've said that, maybe I'll come up with a good idea! One can wish. :)
Thank you, ladies! So glad it helped.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home