Here's the first two posts in this series (one and two)!
Last week, I was asked to provide some real life samples of the proposal and I realized that would probably be a helpful thing. ;) So, here are some examples from my proposal that eventually became my fourth novel, Cool Beans. (I wrote the word "fourth" just so y'all would realize that this isn't a one-time-only thing you have to write. Sadly.)
My proposed title was "Cool Beans" and thankfully, they kept it. I love when that happens! :)
Here was my hook:
Is there really such thing as too much coffee? Not when your best friend
unknowingly starts dating your high school sweetheart.
And this was my teaser paragraph (note that you can also reference this as an "Overview"):
Everything seems to be going perfectly for Maya Davis – she’s got a good job at a coffee shop, loving parents and is happily single. At least until her best friend unknowingly starts dating Maya’s high school sweetheart, her annoyingly perfect brother moves back to town and her coworker starts showing interest in her. Apparently God’s will for her is to spend her days commiserating over ice cream – or does He have more to teach her?
Try to separate the two with a signifier (I wrote "Overview" above the teaser) and you can put the Hook directly under the title.
I'll be back next week with the next components of the proposal! Please be sure to leave questions if y'all have them! :)
Thanks for using dome examples from your own proposal, Erynn.
ReplyDeleteI've been studying plots lately and have noticed that your plots have a simplicity to them. Your characters are everyday girls. A lot of books with characters in their 20s are a little idealistic, don't ya think? Of course, every 24 yr old has a high powdered job & great apartment! When your books have girls you could meet at almost any church. And your plot point do the same as well compared to some overly dramatic.
I like how yours are more "approachable" in a way. Is it something youve had to work on? And do you have any advice on having more real than exagerrared plots?
Thanks for doing this little series.it's really helpful!
ReplyDeleteSuri, you're right! You've nailed Erynn's books. That must be why they're so popular :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Suri!! That's a huge compliment! :)
ReplyDeleteMy general rule of thumb is to think of my plots/characters in terms of my friends or people I know - would they act like that? How would they react in that situation? Or make it even more personal - how would YOU react in that situation??
Usually that will help you keep some of the overly dramatic plot lines out. And if you go purely off of what you already know as far as living situation, job situation, financial situation, you can keep it pretty real. ;)
Tonya and Betsy, thanks guys!! :)