Please
note: writercize (a portmanteau of write and exercise with a z for ... a
twist? fun? street cred?) is participating in the A to Z Challenge
through the month of April with alphabetical writing prompts. I'm
skipping the stories behind the prompts so you can spend more time
practicing and less time reading! Please participate, and enjoy!
writercize: Write an "elevator pitch" - a short summary of your story that would take no longer than 30-60 seconds to read or tell. Make a person want to read your story in the time it takes to ride an elevator a few stories.
If you are not writing your own manuscript, try to write the elevator pitch for a favorite fairy tale, book or movie. If you are writing your own manuscript, congratulations - after completing this exercise successfully you are well on your way to a good query letter!
Why try this writing prompt?
When
telling an agent, publisher, potential buyer about your story, brevity
and clarity are two of the most important things to keep in mind as you
unravel a tale of intrigue and substance.
If you're not sure what I'm talking about, turn a book over and read the book blurb. Or pick up a DVD and read how a writer has summarized a two hour movie into one paragraph. Does it relate the basic elements of the story? Does it give you a glimpse into the genre? Does it make you want to read the book or watch the movie? The writer has done his/her job.
I
love reading your comments and especially your writercize results, so
please, drop me a line to let me know if this worked for you! Better
yet, share your attempt with the world in your comment!
Click "read more" for writercizer sample response about Cinderella. Far from perfection, it is proof that summarizing a timeless tale in a paragraph takes a great deal of time, effort and persistence. Practice, practice, practice!
writercizer sample response:
After losing her mother to childbirth and her father to an unfortunate accident, young Cinderella strives to find happiness living in her father's house with a mean stepmother and two conniving stepsisters. One night, her evil family locks her up and abandons her as they hurry off to a ball, eager to marry royalty.
Desperate to free herself of their nasty behavior, Cinderella collapses in tears. To her surprise, a woman appears. Using a magical wand to transform the ragged girl into a well-dressed young lady worthy of a prince, the fairy godmother sends her off to the ball in a carriage made of pumpkin. One catch - Cinderella must win the affections of the prince before the clock strikes midnight!
exercises to inspire word play, hone the craft of the written word and bulldoze writer's block for authors, bloggers, poets, freelancers, teachers, students, dreamers and writers of all kind
Well done this was excellent, well written and a joy to read.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week-end.
Yvonne.
I love this. I am new to this and you have some great exercises. Thanks for visting and supporting my blog Raising Twins..we are twin mamams. I am trying to learn the ins and outs of how this work and what to do to make it better so thank you!! for your help and if there is anyting else you suggest I am open!! for improvement. I am resorting to the twins tomorrow to try and help me figure out the more technical aspects of this blog stuff. Thanks again!! Raising Twins
ReplyDeleteHmm. Thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...the elevator pitch! I spent DAYS working on one last year when I signed up for three pitch appointments at a writing conference. Writing it wasn't too bad, but practicing actually giving the pitch? Nerve-wracking! :-)
ReplyDelete