So here's how it goes...
Person who just found out I'm writing... something...: so, ali, i hear you're writing a book
Me: um... well... yeah, it's early days yet... work in progress...
Person: aw yeah, nice nice. so what's it about?
Instant sweat patches. For some reason I freeze. What's it about? WHAT'S IT ABOUT???
Me: Um... a girl.
Person stares at me in expectation. And suspicion that in fact I cannot write and may be delusional.
I stutter and mumble something incoherent while blushing and looking anywhere but at said person.
Person: Well! That's... great. (pause) Good luck with that!
Person darts off and I want to scream 'Gah! I'm working on it! Leave me alone! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LEAVE ME ALONE!' or some such freak-out-esq business.
WHY do I react like this? WHY do I blush, and sweat and swallow my tongue? Why can't I just say something that implies that maybe I can write? And not just putting word after meaningless word on paper, but that it is a story. With characters, and a plot and.... Why?
Well fear is an obvious one. Fear that the story will sound stupid. Or boring. Or both. Or that I'll sound like a moron (which it seems I'm doing rather successfully either way...)
Lord help me if I ever try to approach the disgustingly daunting task of PITCHING my wip - which is a story about a girl apparently so perhaps a pitch will be easy.
Why can't i just say something along the lines of:
"it's a young woman's journey dealing with the loss of her partner, and understanding other people's pain which helps her to move on from her own"
sure maybe it's not great but it beats "um... a girl?" (and yes sometimes my response comes out as a question. like I'm asking them what the story line is)
Please someone out there tell me a little part of their brain screams everytime someone utters the phrase: "so whats it about?"
I think most writers go through this, I certainly do. Actually, I hate people asking me because like you, I end up saying, um, a man and woman falling in love - oh, original then?? But then I have the added dread of telling people it contains a fair bit of sex knowing it's going to put them off!!! So yes, you're not alone!
ReplyDeleteSo what's it about?
ReplyDeleteAbout 60,000 words. That always shuts them up!
Oh my god I do the same thing! I get so embarassed because its almost like I'm diverging personal information. It's not the same as when someone reads it as when I'm forced to TALK about it! Talking about it is kind of like letting someone onto the secret that you have a wild imagination and decided to put it to good use. I'm always afraid people will think I'm nuts when I start going into what happens in my book! lol.
ReplyDeletethanks so much guys!
ReplyDelete@the english writer: haha i can almost imagine how those conversations go :)
@l'aussie: i like it! makes sense too! i may have to steal that line....
@creepy query girl: yes! exactly! i have got a few people reading, but it's nothing like actually TALKING about it! describing it is like opening yourself to the most embarrassing, uncomfortable, one-sided D&M ever!
Well, the book About a Boy was a hit that they made into a movie so 'about a girl' as a response isn't so bad.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do like the longer version better!
However, I think that a WIP is like a painting that an artist is working on; they never want anyone to see it at all until the entire thing is done to their liking, thus they never talk about it and are reluctant to when asked.
haha -k good point "about a boy"!
ReplyDeletei like how you've phrased the feelings around a WIP. i think its very much like that- i do think 'dont ask yet- im not done!' its still growing and evolving.
nice. thanks!
I feel for you...I did the same thing the first few times. If I KNEW they were going to ask about the book I would've been prepared, but when you catch me off guard, I'm worthless. (ahem, why I'm a writer and not a public speaker!)
ReplyDeleteBut I've been working on my elevator speech...it's rough, but it's enough to share with friends who ask what I'm doing.
Haha! I had to laugh reading this. My brain does scream when someone asks me that! I usually stammer around so much that they take pity on me and change the subject.
ReplyDeleteI like to make up some ridiculous lie: "Oh, my book is about a crack-head monkey named Allan who broke into the local bowling alley and got stuck in the ball return but then gets rescued by Mobin, the pinball repair guy, and the two go off, hunting for Mayan ruins in New York's subway system." I stare at them with a straight face and see how long it takes them to run away. Heehee.
ReplyDeleteYou my as well embrace it now...because it will be happening a lot if you intend to become published. My suggestion, start working on that pitch line now and have it well rehearsed the next time somebody asks. Wait until you see the look on their face then! :)
ReplyDeleteI do the exact same thing!! I get soo nervous whenever someone asks what I'm writing, and even though I *want* them to be interested, I'm so freaked out when they do ask that I'd really rather they didn't because then I wouldn't have to stutter out some lame excuse for a book blurb.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, on more than one occasion I have given the following response to that question: "It's speculative fiction. Dark. Very dark. Not your thing. You really wouldn't want to read it."
Ugh, what is *wrong* with me?!?!
Glad to hear that there's plenty of others out there who have the same fear of rejection as I do, and that I'm not the only one who gets all nervous and silly whenever someone asks for a brief synopsis. x
thanks to everyone who responded to this- your comments were all so comforting and humorous, and the suggestions were inventive. glad to know im in the nutty basket with all you guys haha!
ReplyDeletethanks for reading everyone!
I think that's one most people struggle with. You don't want to pitch to an everyday person, but you don't want them to think you have nothing original to say either.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe it was Bruce Hale that said he just tells people he's writing a book about whatever city/town he's standing in. No one ever questions and everyone always thinks that's cool.
People usually laugh at my book summaries when I tell them (and not in a good way). Because they're so incongruous they don't believe I'd actually take the time to write such nonsense. :o)
Good luck!
I'm trying to write a book too, but I haven't told anyone ... except the few who happen to read my blog. What the book is about? How the Hell can I know; I've only written three chapters >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven