Today was, well, amazing. Why, do you ask, was it amazing? Because I had some major breakthroughs.
First, I completed one-sheets for all three of my stories. And the super good news is that I actually like them.
Second, I created my first ever proposal. The only part I’m not finished with is the comparables. If anybody has a good way of coming up with comparables, please share, because wow, they aren’t easy. The proposal was this ominous thing hanging over my head. The idea of putting one together sort of scared the jeebers out of me. But after writing one up for Beneath a Velvet Sky, I’m actually looking forward to writing the other two for As High as the Heavens and Through the Storm.
Third (and this is the most exciting), as I wrote the proposal, under the section “Series Development”, I pulled two KILLER ideas right out of my bum! Okay, so I shouldn’t take the credit… nor should my bum. God deserves the glory. But wow, I love it when that happens! One of the ideas was something I’d planned on writing anyway, but I was stuck with my MC’s GMCs (how’s that for some acronyms). It was actually one of my concerns on Friday. I tweaked a few things, made it so this idea could fit within this particular series, and voila! Everything just sort of fell into place. I’m really, really psyched, if you can’t tell.
So basically, this post is just one giant celebration. I feel like I’ve jumped a hurdle and wanted to share the good news with all my cyber buddies.
Question to Ponder: What recent hurdles have you jumped recently? Please share your celebrations.
Katherine!! CONGRATS! That is definitely something to celebrate! That's awesome that you signed an agent. Definitely a giant leap forward in your writing career! And thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your response, especially about the comparables. I loved your comment, because I felt like you clarified the misunderstaning very well. :)So thanks! Being misunderstood is no fun!
Hi Katie
I followed you here from Rachelle's blog (and sypathise with you, because I could tell your question was misunderstood!). You have had quite a week haven't you? Incredibly productive! I write children's fiction, so have never had to do a proposal, but the way I phrase comparables is by saying something like 'After reading (book title), submitting to your agency/publishing house was an obvious choice' and name a couple of their books with similar voices etc. This way they get a sense of how I place my book, without coming across like you said above (ie. 'My book is as good as…')
My biggest hurdle this month (and in my writing journey so far) is signing with my dream agent. I'm absolutely thrilled, and looking forward to seeing where it all goes from here.
Take care
Katherine
Hey Erica! It felt so good to get those done. And my comparables are sort of coming along. I like the idea of wording the comparables the way you suggested. I definitely don't want to come across like, "My book is as good as…"
JEannie – based on your second scene, so far, so good. 🙂
Wendy – YAY! That's awesome. More than half way. That's definitely something to celebrate!
Thanks, Eileen. 🙂
Sherrinda! I was SO going to give you a vibrating bum shout out, but then I thought I might confuse my readers. Just know I was thinking about you and your amazing, vibrating bum while I wrote it!
Jill, I don't think that sounds weird at all. Letting go of perfectionism is definitely freeing! During the school year, I turn on this filter in my head that says "You do not care about a messy house", because if I didn't turn on that filter during the school year, I would officially go nuts with trying to keep it clean, spend itme with family, work nine hours, and write. Cleaning is the first thing to go when it's time to go back to work.
Yay!! Don't you love it when it all comes together? Let's see…hurdles… Well, weirdly enough, this month has been about accepting my limitations. Might sound like a weird hurdle, but letting perfectionism go is liberating.
Congrats! Enjoy the moment!
Congratulations! That is so awesome. Are you sure there wasn't any vibrating going on there?????
Awesome accomplishments! You go girl!
I love the part about your bum not celebrating! 😀 Way to go on all the other accomplishments.
I'm pumped to be more than half way through the first draft of my current WIP.
😀
~ Wendy
you already know my success! let's pray i can keep it up. 🙂
Woohoo! Yay, and Yeehaw! Congrats on how much you got accomplished this week. You're a whirlwind!
Comparables…hmmm…browse the bookstore, wrack your brain, read reviews, blurbs, ask librarians for a style or type of book…
the market comparision is often the trickiest part of a proposal, I think, just because writing and reading are so subjective. What you think resonates as a theme of one book another person might miss altogether.
I guess I'd advise being generic for the most part. Readers who enjoy ______ might also like Beneath a Velvet Sky.
That's a great idea about about Amazon. I've been perusing CBD's website with a little luck…so far, nothing's jumping out at me though. I'm hoping to be ready by the conference. I'm really starting to get excited! I bet you REALLY are, with the awards banquet and all. 🙂 I'm still SO excited for you, Jody!
MeganRebekah – I have links to back cover copies and the first part of each of my books under Sneak Peaks on the side bar of my blog. If you have time and want to take a peek and you know of any books I could compare these to, you have NO idea how much I would appreciate your help. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion!
Have you posted a brief summary of your book? Some of your followers might be able to point you towards comparables that will at least get you started.
And congrats on the awesome weekend!
Hi Katie,
Jeanette gave some great advice about doing comparables in one of her comments on my blog about book proposals. She said that she goes to Amazon and does a key word search. I realize this may be harder for fiction, but I thought it was a great tip. Also, I'd check through CBD's fiction section, in your particular genre and read the book blurbs to see if anything sticks out as similar.
Sound like you accomplished a lot this weekend! Great job! You'll be so ready for ACFW! I've already had my celebrations, so I'm just as excited to see others making progress forward!
Ooo! Best wishes on the perspective agent! That's really exciting T. Anne! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I've spent all weekend working on a proposal myself. My prospective agent want's it sent snail mail and I can't wait to have it sent off!