Novel Writing Made Less Impossible - How To Construct an Elevator Pitch

Last week, we discussed the importance of the elevator pitch. For those who came in late and are too lazy to look up the definition ... TOUGH! Show some gumption and read last week's entry. I'll be here waiting.

Thank you for taking the time. You are truly a good student. Now let's proceed.

The elevator pitch shows that you have the groundwork laid for a solid tale filled with a protagonist, a challenge, and something that makes the setting or the situation or the characters unique. It also doesn't waste your time trying to sell it, the customer's in hearing your pitch, or your editor's time (and the editor is your customer too). These two sentences also can be used as your personal pitch as well as the first paragraph on the back cover of your paperback or the first words on your dust jacket or your catalog listing.

It also pre-qualifies the customer. If I give my pitch for Vulcana: Rebirth of the Champion, beginning with "It's an urban fantasy about ..." and the customer's eyes glaze over, I know this isn't the true audience for the work. It also eliminates Conflict so I can either pitch The Original Skyman Battles the Master of Steam as a pulp-flavored action/adventure yarn, not any sort of fantasy, or Santastein, which is horror/humor.

Anyway, here's my formula for a successful elevator pitch. Two sentences ... Sentence one: set up the situation, introduce the prime mover of the story as well as the goal.

Sentence two: bring in the challenge that stands between the prime mover and their goal.

For instance, my elevator pitch for Bloodshot: The Coldest Warrior might be, "Bloodshot is a former killer for a huge multinational corporation, his amazing abilities powered by the nanites in his blood stream. In searching for his forgotten past, he happens upon a clue on an out-of-date computer belonging to the man with the nicest lawn in town." Yeah, those sentences might get a little long. But keep them as simple as you can. Skyman: "In 1939, a Nazi in steam-driven armor kidnaps the greatest scientists of North America. But when Dr. Peter Turner is taken, his nephew Allan becomes the swashbuckling Skyman, not knowing he may uncover a weapon that could end the war before it begins." Vulcana: "Angelique Forge discovers the Armor of Vulcan's Fallen Champion. However, she may not master its powers before she's used to bring about the end of the universe."

A well-crafted elevator pitch should excite the recipient, make them want to learn more about your project, perhaps even purchase it. The elevator pitch also demonstrates that you have the makings of a good story and not just a vignette; it demands interest, it features a main character who propels the story line by confronting a challenge.

I don't know how many times I've talked to someone who says to me, "My story features 500 primary characters, 20,000 supporting characters, all of whom exist in 650 different galaxies in 29 alternate dimensions, each one with 794 villains who all possess their signature technology, along with a pantheon of 275 different gods and goddesses."

"Fine," I say, pretending that I'm interested, "so what's your story?"

"Weren't you listening?" is the inevitable question. "I have 500 primary characters and --"

"Weren't YOU listening? Where's your STORY?" The story is your elevator pitch, period.

So what's a decent elevator pitch? I read an example from the late, great Warren Murphy's website (he co-created The Destroyer paperback series with Richard Sapir) where a student claimed his concept was so epic that a mere elevator pitch couldn't contain it. Here's MY version of Murphy's reply: "A young man joins a whaling vessel in the 19th Century to discover a totally different way of life. However, the mad captain of the ship vows to kill the white whale that took his leg, even if it means destroying the ship along with every crew member on board."

I just described Moby Dick by Herman Melville, one of the greatest novels in the history of the English language. I did it in two sentences.

So try telling me you're a better write than Herman Melville. You'll burn in Hell for lying.

So start working with your elevator pitch. You'll be surprised how quickly you pick up on the process. In fact, try doing this with your favorite books, films, comics, etc.

And next week, we bring in the last element, one that you don't need to start, but don't need to keep.

NEXT WEEK: The Last Component to the Elevator Pitch

THIS WEEKEND: On Sunday, September 24th, I will be returning to the incredible TOYMAN TOY & COMIC SHOW at the Machinists Hall at 12365 St. Charles Road in Bridgeton, Mo.

I'm a guest there (check me out on their newly-expanded 2nd floor) along with BUTCH PATRICK of The Munsters fame. I'll be hanging around with author AMY HALE and artist CANDICE COMELIERI. As usual, buy two or more of my novels and you'll get at least 20% off.

Admission is $5.00 and there's hours of fun to be had. Please come join us!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to this blog. We're going to put out something every WEDNESDAY morning or you'll know the reason why. We plan to beef up our output to five times a week eventually.

Don't forget that you can support me via Patreon as well as purchase my works on Amazon.

And of course, I'd love for you to purchase my books.

I'm also on Twitter and Instagram.And don't forget Silver Phoenix Entertainment.

As long as you're at it, give a LIKE to my Facebook pages for Freelance Words, Rising Tide Publications, and Vulcana.

And every Monday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, I host a live interactive broadcast on my Facebook page.

See you next Wednesday, if not sooner!

#Writing #Bloodshot #WarrenMurphy #TheDestroyer #Skyman