Diagnosing my book:
From storyfix.com:
One or more of the four elemental core competencies – concept, character, theme or story structure – must be exceptionally compelling, original and mind-blowing. If all four are simply good, that probably isn’t enough to get you published, it merely blends you in the crowd. Agents and publishers aren’t looking to add to the crowd, they’re looking for a home run to emerge from it.
And… both of the two execution-driven core competencies – scene execution and writing voice – need to be rendered at a professional level of excellence. Doesn’t need to be John Updike, but it can’t have a amateur moment anywhere on the pages.
That’s the ante-in. The bar you must reach. Now that the clouds have parted, you can see how high it is and what it will take to get there.
Unquote.
Now to figure out how to write “mind-blowing.”
I'm with you, still trying to figure out how to execute "mind-blowing." Good luck!
I lOVE that! I'm putting that on my bulletin board. It just makes sense, and gives you something to aim for without being entirely discouraging. Thanks for sharing!
That's a good way to look at it. Many of my critique group are reeling from the rest of the article, though, since it says “FIRST BOOKS NEVER SELL. NEVER.”
Yeah, well, I have one word for them: Twilight.
hahaha good point.
Luck to you too!
Yeah, I'm afraid my mind blew with just the thought of trying to reach the "mind-blowing" bar! But I like Storyfix's articles, as they do challenge me to reach a little higher, and remind me not to get too comfy where I am.
I'm really looking forward to hearing the guy at LDSSM.