Um...?

[rhienelleth]

Thanks to zoegrace for the heads up on this. raleva31 is holding a hook critique thing, where you submit a 1-2 paragraph "hook" to your book, and she posts it in her blog and comment son its general effectiveness in grabbing her attention, as an agent. Since my experience with writing such things is pretty much limited to pitching last year at WW, I figure this would be great practice, plus force me to write a hook for the NaNo project.

But. Holy crud, kistha, how do I do this? I have to say the genre, and then write the hook. I'm still stuck on genre! What do you call a post-apocalyptic future-fantasy (not scifi!) with gypsies and vampires and werewolves and demons? With romance and adult content thrown in? Um... dark fantasy? Gothic fantasy/romance? Dude, that's just going to make an editor/agent scratch their head and go "huh?"

And the hook itself. How to write a hook about a girl who kills demons and vampires without making it sound like a Buffy rip off? *face palm*

ETA: Also, wordcount so far for today is 1600 2100. Not as impressive as my 3-4k wordcount days during November/December, but still. Plus, I may work on it more tonight. I'd like to finish the chapter. Right now I'm feeling incredibly sleepy and lethargic, and I'm doing ultra boring dataentry type stuff, which doesn't help. I shouldn't really be this tired. I slept lots last night.

Comments

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd maybe list it as an dark fantasy romance.

Really, I'd say, FICTION. But that's because these annoying labels keep getting so numerous, that I can't keep track.

OK, Buffy is not the only vampire slayer...and it's a big right now to have one. I can think of over 3 long standing series that follow that path. So, breathe.

And for the hook - is that like the back of a novel, or something else? And don't call them demons, call them...what ever they are..

If it's like the back of the book, I'd do something along the lines of...

"Be careful what you pray for, it might not be answered the way you expect...

Elysia prays not to be killed by the Vampire she's hunting, and when the Goddess answers her prayers, it's to bring her far in the future to save the very same Vampire and all that's left of her people, the Romany Gypsies. Once there she meets the eternally cursed vampire that will steal her heart, and if she refuses...all of her people may die. Can Elysia give up all of her hopes and dreams and go back on her calling to slay the dead to save her people"

Or something like that. That's a super quick because the next appointment is here...

You can totally do this.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Oh! That actually really, really helps. Yes, a hook is kind of like the cover blurb on the back of the book. Well, almost exactly like it, really. And you're right. Dark fantasy romance.

But yeah, all the tags they use anymore just serve to confuse. Genre fiction shouldn't be this complicated.

{{smooches}} You are my savior!

Oh, also, I finished Personal Gods late last night. I loved it! Even if TOR doesn't, I really think it has a home at some publishing house/with some agent. Multi-layered, with lots of really neat myth and imagery and characters. I will call sometime this weekend to discuss thoughts and stuff at greater length, of you and dthon are going to be around.

I could also e-mail, but I want the more interactive ability of him being able to ask me question and vice versa. :D

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Calling is totally OK (non-emergency) calls are best 6-9:30PM on weekdays and totally random on weekends.

Alas, we're going to be in Portland running around on Saturday, and dthon heads out to the Ubuer Conference in San Fran @ noon on Sunday. Friday night is your best bet, really at this point. (Tonight is TV night with argentyne, although it's supposed to end early. We get home before 10 want me to give you a ring?

I am also v. tired. It may have something to do with the late mexican lunch in my case however. :)

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if you get home before 10:00, go ahead and call. I'm up until 10:30 -11:00, most nights. Otherwise, I'll try for tomorrow night, but no guarantees, cause Friday nights Mark and I usually try to go out and do a movie or something.

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan.

And, can I just say, that the word smooches just makes me feel all loved and stuff?

Going to do the 5 questions?

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am. Probably tomorrow morning when I need a break from this data entry stuff. Plus, I need time to figure out Ninja or Pirate - that's a tough choice!