Last week, I submitted a logline for critique by strangers. First off, the stranger part is always scary to me, but I relaxed when I saw no one trashed it. The consensus was “not enough detail.” Oddly, I had the opposite problem drafting a query letter.
I realized when you are too familiar with a book, it’s easy to think you’re telling more in a one-line synopsis than you are. It’s similar to the way you fill-in missing information when seeing a movie adaptation after you’ve read the book. So, I agree. It needs more detail.
That brings up the question of logline length. It’s usually described as a one-sentence pitch, but very few of those submitted in these rounds have been one-liners. Some suggest no more than 25 words total, but the contest I hope to enter allows up to 100 words. Confusing.
At least three of those who critiqued my entry questioned why I describe my novel as Women’s Fiction since it’s obvious the main character is male. *Sigh* But an equal number complimented me on my novel’s title. *Yay*
I’m revising the logline even though the odds of getting accepted for The Baker’s Dozen Agent Auction are slim. In my division, only the first 40 entries will be considered, with only 15 of those accepted for the auction. If I don’t make it, at least I’ll have an elevator pitch ready. Though the last time I rode in an elevator was three months ago, and if an agent was in the vicinity s/he was invisible.
Hmmm, maybe I’ll just get in the habit of spouting my logline whenever I step into an elevator, just in case. And hey, agents have to shop, so maybe when I’m in the mall I could …
Your turn: Tell me about your logline. How long is it? Did you have any trouble writing it? Did you write it before or after you wrote your novel?
[tweetmeme source=”cassidylewis” only_single=false]
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
I have a two-sentence, sixty-seven word description of my novel. It seems like a lot of information jammed into two sentences. I didn’t have as much trouble writing it as I thought I would. I had the first draft finished in five or ten minutes. I wrote it recently for a comment somewhere. I cannot remember what blog. Since then I’ve tweaked it once. Blessings to you in getting accepted in the Baker’s Dozen Agent Auction!
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That’s more the length of the other entries at that site, Carol. You made me laugh. I’m not sure I’ve written a first draft of any sentence in five or ten minutes … then again, I don’t do first drafts. 😉 But I’m positive I’ve never tweaked anything just ONCE. I hope I get my logline tweaked enough in time to enter that contest. Either way, it’s good experience.
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Eight-year-old David kidnapped by two small-time criminals escapes to tell his struggle to his new friends; he introduces them to Buddy, the great white dog he believes God sent him as answer to prayer, while the sheriff and his staff strive to find the boy, and family members agonize not knowing if they will ever see their beloved David again.
Oh! It looks too long! And I tweaked it again. Should I keep tweaking? Tell me the truth. I don’t think I could possibly say it correctly in an elevator.
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Carol, I think you could shorten it a bit. I’ve read a one-sentence logline should be closer to 20-30 words. I’ll email you.
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I never heard of a logline until reading this blog post. Best of luck to you with this auction! I’m rooting for you.
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Really? Did you know it under a different name? And thank you for the wish of luck.
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First off, Linda, good luck!
Second, like Cathryn, I’ve heard of writing the log line before the story. In working with my novel’s second draft (if you can call it a second), I have written something of a log line. But even that needs some serious rewriting, I think 🙂
Talk about a *sigh*….
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Thank you, Christi. I’ve decided to write loglines throughout the writing of my next novel. Maybe by the time I’ve polished it up, I’ll have a blazing hot logline too. 😉
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I always thought a logline was one sentence. But maybe that’s a tagline, or a hookline, or a hey-read-my-book line. But if other people are writing two or three sentences, jump on that train. 🙂
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You’re right, Kasie, traditionally it IS one sentence. But MSFV put a 100-word limit on these, so when in Rome … 🙂
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