Courting Unique

When I first began polishing my book proposal toward the completion of my manuscript, I must have edited and re-edited a dozen or more times.  I guess this is normal.  I mean it never really occurred to me to leave it just as it was.  These were the pages that would be a deciding factor in whether or not my entire manuscript would be requested by an editor.  I wanted that baby to sparkle–to shine like a newly lit tree bulb on Christmas morning.

I tweaked and added and removed and reviewed until the typewritten words all began to blur together.  Ultimately, I decided to ditch my first effort and start all over again.  I set my proposal aside (well, if you can call the trash can a holding tank) and decided to totally re-write the entire proposal!  Then, in the midst of all of this, guess what happened?

I signed with my fabulous literary agent, Mary Keeley, (www.booksandsuch.biz) and that same week, someone whom I love very much suffered an aneurysm.  I didn’t get around to revamping said proposal until only recently.  It’s probably a good thing that I didn’t because I’ve decided to use a different approach than I would have before.  Nothing too off the wall or overly dramatic, yet creatively unique.

I think as authors, it’s imperative we understand what’s expected and showcase our craft in its best light.  If we execute knowledge without fully implementing all the bells and whistles at our disposal, then how can we possibly hope for publication?  A mediocre book proposal will garner an equally mediocre reaction from an editor.  I’m guessing a “pass” would in order.

So, it’s with all of this in mind that I work with a renewed diligence this week.  Courting “unique” never felt so good!

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A question for you to ponder…Have you ever had a clear-cut vision for something only to find yourself shifting focus mid-stream?