An Exercise for Karma

With almost a month at a half-hearted search for a literary agent, I decided to try a new approach. I've recently joined another group of critics and they are all about Karma! I get the impression that the Karma comes into play when you help your fellow writers, you in turn will be helped.

As one critic suggested, I completed a new exercise today to really get to the meat of my story and learn how to write an intriguing pitch. I pulled out an actual pad of paper and pen! I listed six questions and spent an hour answering them. It's funny - I had what I thought was the perfect pitch. But maybe, since I am the only one that knows the whole story, the pitch only made sense to me. This exercise forced me to write what would make sense to someone that does not know whodunit. After about four hours of reading my answers over and over, I have completed the revision.

I will post the pitch here and would love to know if it works. Does this pitch make you want to read more, does it make the characters/plot/story sound riveting, does it serve like a commercial that would make you drool for the greasy burger? These are the questions I want answered by an agent, fist-banging on the table and shouting, "Yes, yes! Please give me more!"

Wipe the drool from your chin, and let me know what you think. Thanks!

As Eth-Ann Drayer exchanges her title of Soccer Mom for Toy Store Owner, a forged link with her late Grandfather/surrogate Dad and a chance to reclaim her individuality seem like the whipped cream and cherry on top of her emotional sundae - until an erstwhile German friend of her Grandfather’s arrives, relocating from his minimum-security jail cell to the vacant apartment over Eth-Ann’s store.

A shy and bedraggled elderly man, the ex-convict easily blends in with the scenery, sharing cryptic hints of his devotion to Eth-Ann’s Grandfather, even gaining the valued trust of the family’s lawyer.

But when the discovery of a mysterious bag o’ cash leads to the German’s kidnapping, clues left behind give Eth-Ann reason to bet her secret recipe for Sweet Sassafras Tea that her Grandfather’s past leads down a murkier brook than he’d ever admitted.

Ignoring the call to assist the police could cost Eth-Ann a vital connection to explaining her Grandfather’s legacy, not to mention the respect of her family and her status as a hospitable Southerner.

But accepting the duty could cost her life.

I'd like you to meet . . . Rejection

Last week I travelled with my family to Florida to stay with my wonderful Aunt and Uncle. We spent the week lazily enjoying the Palm Beach farm by feeding animals, visiting the pond critters and lounging by the new pool. We did take a trip to a nearby beach, indulging in a sea-side lunch at Benny's by the Beach (no shark encounters, this year!).

During our stay I also completed my final, final edit of my manuscript.

Let me take a moment to pull in a deep breath, a sigh of relief and satisfaction.

Now, let me admit the flurry of butterflies swarming in my stomach. I have been researching and following a number of literary agents for a while, now. And I did it, I sent out my first query letters asking for representation. It really is kind of humiliating - in an industry code, I am begging for someone to like my pitch enough to ask for more, hopefully resulting in an eventual business deal. Out of hundreds of agents I have been told to expect rejection over and over and over again.

What kind of torture is this?! And I am asking for it?

I have received my first response - a form rejection. Although it was expected, and the rejection was very kind, it was still a little sad. This will likely be as much work as writing is. But, just like I've worked very hard to perfect my manuscript, I am willing to put in as much effort at finding an agent.

Wish me luck!