Yeah, that’s me. The human waffle. No, I’m not running for office, but I am trying to be Elastic Writer Girl and make my story fit all the different opinions I managed to attract at Colorado Gold.
See, I have this great story. Everyone I’ve talked to loves it. So of course I submit it for a Critique Roundtable, Pitch Coaching, Hook Your Book, professional editor discussion, and Pitch Sessions. Because, everyone loves it, right?
Hmmm. Not so much. My first indication that Houston has a problem is when I get in the Friday round table and the agent says they really don’t like the paranormal aspect of my mystery and suggest I “skirt around” that concept. Maybe just a hint of “unusual.” OK, that’s just one opinion, you know?
Then I have a pitch coaching and it’s a real struggle for my coach to come up with a concept that can be shoehorned into a short and snappy pitch. It gets done, while sort of downplaying the paranormal aspect. Hmmmm.
At Hook Your Book I get one “I don’t really think this concept will work” and another, “Great concept, but you might need to play the paranormal down if you really want to sell this.” Double Hmmmm.
The professional editor thinks I need to consider going Fantasy with Mystery, but it’s really not a fantasy and I can’t make it so.
And then another agent at a pitch says she likes the concept but tried to sell something along the same lines and couldn’t get a bite. “Could you just have your character have a bad feeling instead of ‘knowing’ something?” She was very gracious and offered to read chapters and a synopsis either way, but warned me it might be a tough sell.
So there I am, taking my first several chapters and writing multiple versions to see how I can alter the story, and still be true to THE STORY. I’ve talked my dilemma over with a couple BFaW (Best Friend and Writer-types) and they laid it on the line: WRITE THE STORY I want to write and not what someone tells me it should be to be marketable.
Yeah. I know. But… Ouch.
So I said to myself, “Self, just get on with it and quit waffling.” Really. I did. Just like that. And so I did. Quit waffling. I decided that while I COULD write the story with intuition and “skirt” the paranormal I didn’t like it as much. It was too vanilla. So, damn it, I’m writing the story I started with. I hope to hell I’m a good enough writer that when they actually read it the editors/agents will be so in love with the characters and the concept that it won’t even occur to them that it might be a tough sell and they will be my champion with the powers-that-be who try to tell them the story doesn’t fit in the box.
So, as a Human Waffle turned to a fat, syrup-sucking pancake, I’m writing the damn story. Just as you should make your story YOUR story.
So, let’s get with it and Write ON!
Love this! I went through a similar experience at a workshop, Terri, and made the same decision you did, and now the book is published by a reputable literary publisher. We have to listen to ourselves first, but it can be very difficult. I’ll remember the fun imagery here for the future! :O) (Always preferred pancakes anyway…)
Yep. Write your story. Finish it.
There’s power in finishing.
Something we all go through. But write the story. Pitch it or self-publish and everything else will work its way out.
Terri, another fine post! I almost reached for the pancake syrup. If all that advice didn’t discourage you, it sounds like you have a healthy passion for this story, and it needs to be written. Enjoy it, and make it shine!
Thank you all for your comments. I’ve had moments of waffling before, but this was a biggie. I’ve taken the day off from work so I can get to “the end.” I’m looking forward to getting my submissions out to the Gold requesters. Thanks!
Ha ha! You’re story of reactions to your book and your reaction to the reactions, really hit home with me. I’ve been a waffle many times. But I can tell you, it doesn’t work. The best work comes from your heart and soul. And the market is so competitive that it’s very rare for someone to sell something that isn’t their best work. So the best advice you got was to let all the advice go and just write your story. Best wishes.