"Pitching" for a Home Run
Conference times are here and many of us are faced with writing and polishing pitches for agents and editors. All we have to do is summarize a 70,000-100,000 word book into a few sentences. Nail the basic plot as we encapsulate the hero/heroine’s goal, motivation, and conflict. That is, what the hero/heroine want and what keeps them from getting it--until the end, of course. Yikes!
It’s not as bad as it sounds. The key: agents/editors are friendly and encouraging and really do want to hear about our stories. They want us to succeed. The conference for our local chapter, Ozarks Romance Authors, is coming up, so I thought it might be fun to look at ways a conference pitch can be put together.
There are several different ‘kinds’ of pitches.
1.) An ‘Elevator Pitch’ which is one sentence. That’s so if you find yourself riding in an elevator with an agent/editor and you’re asked what you write, you can tell them briefly and succinctly.
2.) A 25-word pitch which you may use when you’re called upon for a quick summary. Often the same as the elevator pitch.
3.) A three-sentence pitch, which allows you to get a bit more into GMC.
4.) A one paragraph pitch, which agents often say they want to see in a query letter.
5.) A longer pitch, crafted for a 5-10 minute pitch session, but it is still very brief.
Note: even if a pitch is in a conference situation of, say, ten minutes, you will not talk for that long. Make it fit one of the ones listed above. You should leave time for the agent/editor to ask questions.
6.) Try to have a one sentence (need not be a grammatically correct sentence) that will act as a hook.
Let's look at the “conference pitch.”
Hook: Try to develop a sentence or one line that summarizes the story in a way that catches the attention. Look for the unique. The extreme conflicts or differences.
Length: It should be as brief as you can make it, but it can be longer than one line. It can be longer than three lines. Try to keep it in one paragraph or two.
Jot it or the main points down on 3 x 5 cards. I write the pitch in short paragraphs so I know where I am if I need to refer to it quickly. THEN: Practice reading it aloud so it become natural to say--and hear--the words.
What Does It Contain: The pitch should hone in on the central conflict. The main thing that’s keeping the h/h from achieving his/her goal--and, in romance, usually keeping them apart.
1) Avoid too many proper names. Use designations of careers or titles instead. If names are necessary, use only the main characters--usually hero/heroine.
2) For your l line hook, avoid all proper names.
Debra Dixon, whose book GOAL, MOTIVATION AND CONFLICT is something of a basic for romance writers, pointed out at a recent conference that the emphasis should not be on the romance. If you write romance, it’s assumed there’ an HEA. What’s the basic plot point or obstacle/conflict?
One formula:
Hero/heroine wants or needs to do something (goal) but is prevented from getting/doing it (obstacle or conflict) and not achieving this goal can lead to (something/a calamity.) You may follow with the opposite h/h goal/obstacle-conflict etc. If you can summarize it into a very few words, you might include a motivation or the why.
So, go forth and pitch--and good luck. Remember, agents and editors want to hear what you have to say. Smile--and tell them why they can't live without your story.
Further information on pitches can also be found on Kimberly Killion’s website: http://www.kimberlykillion.com/writers.asp
3 comments:
Barb - great info on pitches. They still scare me to death. And I did training in front of large groups for years. LOL
Barbara,
Thanks for a very informative post. Lots of good ideas to make pitching a little bit easier. :)
Great tips, Barbara! Thanks for sharing them. I'll be storing them in my arsenal. :)
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