Because I’m in the middle of writing a book about sex & relationships (generally speaking), I pay a ridiculous amount of attention to two things lately: (1) how people choose titles for their creative projects and (2) this thing called “placement.” When you tell folks in the writing industry you’re writing a book, editors, publishers and other people ask the same question: “What is it?” To a writer, this sounds like “What are you writing?” What is it? “It’s a memoir” or “it’s science fiction” or “it’s a book about [fill in the blank -- i.e. turtles, sex or whatever].” But, really, I’m learning this whole “what is it” question is about selling / marketing. The people in the book industry want to know “What makes you think people will actually want to buy your book? What makes it familiar enough that people will ‘get’ it, yet different enough that people will find unique value in it?” Same goes for music, art, film or or creative projects.
For example, at the movies the other day, I saw a trailer for Lakeview Terrace [official site, trailer, IMDB]. Okay, so, you’ve seen Unlawful Entry, right? A crazy cop (Ray Liotta) develops a sickly stalker-like attraction to Michael’s (Kurt Russell) wife Karen (Madeleine Stowe) and the movie turns into a thriller. Question: “What is Lakeview Terrace?” ANSWER: It’s kind of like Unlawful Entry — just with an interracial couple.
Unlawful Entry
Lakeview Terrace
Today, if you ask me the infamous question about my book: “So, what is it?” The most honest answer is: “I’ll be able to tell you once I’ve finished writing it.” I want to write the most honest, interesting and engaging book that I, personally, can write. If I have to use “What OTHER book is it like?” as my starting point, I kind of feel like it kills the uniqueness of my book. They say every story has already been told, and they’re right. “It is not what you tell,” says the gaming blog HDRL, “[it's] how you tell it. That is what renews suspense and interest in a given story.”
For now, I might not know what “it” is, I’m just enjoying the process of writing my love story in my own unique, distintive and creative way.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re writing a book about turtle sex?
… you WILL know when it is finished … good luck with your book ..!
I once thought about writing a book. It was a fantastic story set out in space……
but then I realized it was just “space hamlet…”
turtle sex…… FBC…. pray tell, are we moonlighting again….. but I digress…..
if your tome is as hellcool as this junction that we all come to share wisdom and learn how to be resident 5150′s…… gonna be deep up in here…..
can’t fake this funk…… roll it like ya stole it……
lamesabassman…….. can I get a witness……
dkzone: So what’s wrong with “Space Hamlet”? The screenplay woulda been worth milions.
it’s been done……. it’s called …” Desperate Housewives “…….
lamesabassman……. soorry, lads……
@ Baba Doodlius: How’d you know??? :)
@ Mark: THANK YOU!!
@ dkzone: Write it! :)
@ lamesabassman: :)
@ Baba Doodlius: Sci-fi fan, are we?
@ Chris: THANKS for the link love!!
Its one thing to write a book, its another thing to sell a book.
a book always sell itself only when you know enough to stand aside and let it roll.
lamesabassman…….. only positive spoken here….
@ Anthony: Exactly! And, before you can sell a book, you have to it. Or, at least, PART of it.
@ lamesabassman: :)
So, followed the link over from Facebook; loved this post – why? Because nothing makes me happier than seeing people step onto the diving board looking at what they love and jumping. Brilliant, and damn good for you.
Marc Danziger…
@ Marc D: THANK YOU!!!!!! :)
I sat down next to Stephenie Meyer at dinner once (yeah, that Stephenie Meyer). http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html This was before the publication of “Twilight.”
She told me she had sold a book series, and I asked, “Oh, what is it about?” I’m sure she was tired of answering that question, and I kicked myself the moment I asked.
Luckily, she was very gracious and nice to me about asking such a profoundly idiotic question.
It’s not a profoundly idiotic question; it’s the one people ask most often. :)
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