So, what are we, three days since I mentally signed up for Pitch Wars? And yep, things are already spiralling out of control in all the best ways.
Finding My Yoda
First came the search for mentors. You can find them all here on Brenda Drake's website and the first thing you'll notice is that there are a GAZILLION of them. Which is absolutely brilliant, considering all the aspiring authors out there looking to impress. At least this way statistics are on my side, right?
However, a gazillion (or rather 108) takes a while to get through. So it's taken me a few days to check each one out - especially considering all the magnificent GIFs I've been caught up watching.
No, seriously.
*Ahem* Anyway. Sadly it turns out that all the mentors are fantastic. So I now have more than five potentials that I have to whittle down. But that's okay, because I still have a week to stalk and stalk and favourite and engage and charm these people.
Engage!
Seriously though, the engagement has been the most fun part. By following these magnificent mentors and chatting to them, asking questions, watching other conversations unfold, and seeing what words of wisdom - and likes and dislikes - are revealed, I've learned so much. More than I ever thought possible in only a couple of days. (It's all on the hashtag #PitchWars. Go look if you don't believe me.)
Fear and Loathing
Of course, this isn't all good news. Any bravado I once had has now been shot to shit, and I'm now sitting here a quivering mess wondering if I know my category well enough (I'm sort of accidental YA, so, yeah), what books I'm comparable to, do I have a high-concept pitch, is my synopsis too long or too short, and whether my word count is going to end up on some kind of Pitch Wars hall of infamy post.
But...
At least I'm worrying about these things! Which has reignited my passion for this long-in-labour book. Which has led me to trying to strengthen what I can at this point.
And thus when I happened across a long-time writerly/editorial chum on Twitter offering special Pitch Wars critiques (there are a few of these about, so keep checking the #PitchWars feed), I had to take her up on it. Because a pair of fresh eyes - especially those with previous PW experience - might just pick up on something that will get me over the line.
And now?
I have a week to polish up my submission as much as I can before it's critiqued. I have a week and a half to decide on those five mentors whose hands I will place my very existence.*
Game on.
*I may have oversold this. It's a query and the first chapter of my book. Whatever.
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