Good Morning, Folks.
If you hear any gnashing of teeth, don’t worry, that’s just me.
You see, it’s time for my Biannual What-To-Wear Challenge.
When you have kids approximately 2 years apart, 8th grade graduations, high school graduations, and college graduations come along at fairly regular intervals. And along with graduations comes the whole what-to-wear headache.
One of the many perks of being a writer is that there is no dress code.
I can wear blue jeans (my outfit of choice) every single day and no one cares because no one sees me. For that matter, I could wear this
or this
and no one would even know!
(And I think I would look quite fetching.)
But on occasion it is necessary to go out in public, and that is where I run into trouble. Unfortunately blue jeans are not considered appropriate attire for graduations (why not? I ask!), and I have a graduation to attend… tomorrow! As I am absolutely hopeless when it comes to fashion and have the figure of a dumpling, I am faced with quite the challenge.
What to do?
Being resourceful, (but not in the sense of having financial resources or I would hire a personal shopper… or possibly a model to go in my place… :)) I decided to consult Google: “How to dress for your shape.”
Right away, I ran into problems. Hourglass, rectangle, diamond, apple…. Hmm…. no dumpling. What’s with that? My second shape choice, garden gnome, doesn’t show up either… I don’t look exactly like any of the choices they offer.
Figures.
(Ah-ha-ha, my punster is showing… :))
Oh, well. Picking one that seemed somewhat close, I looked at the clothing suggestions.
A line? Wedge heels?
Balance? Elongate the torso?
Wrap tops? Belted jackets? Are they serious?
There is absolutely no hope.
So I will be going to the graduation in this:
(Feel free to share your fashion advice. I can use all the help I can get :))
Gosh! All that fashion anxiety is exhausting! I definitely need a little Something Chocolate! Let’s go traditional this morning and have chocolate-chip pancakes, shall we?
Ah! That’s better 🙂 Ready for Would You Read It?
Today’s pitch comes to us from Sian who says, “I live in San Jose California. I come from England and although I love the beaches and the weather over here my heart will always belong in my rainy but beautiful homeland. I’ve 2 kids – 6 and 4 and am a SAHM. In my life BC (before children) I was a primary (elementary) school teacher and I love everything to do with teaching (apart from the tedious paperwork – that I do not miss!). I have no publishing accolades to brag as I’m still at the very start of my writing ‘career’ (can I call it that??). I’m learning stuff every day.”
Working Title: The Word Thief
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Benedict’s an unusual Vampire. He likes nothing more than snacking on a tasty noun because Benedict eats words. He rampages through the city gobbling ‘words, whispers, songs and shouts’ until there are none left. A silent city is a soulless and very eerie place. Who can stop him? There may be something furry lurking in the sewer that has the answer….
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Sian is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to the graduation, even though I can’t wear blue jeans 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Nowadays people wear jammies to church, so don't sweat it. Besides, no one will notice what you're wearing; they will all be focusing on your too-short hair. (I'm sorry. I'll stop now.)
I'm lovin' this pitch, by the way. It gives me a good sense of what the story is all about, yet there's a little mystery in there, too. It's great!
Oh, I do so hope the sewer-dwelling hero is a rat! I am a fan of rodents, you know.
Loved the pitch! I think the “because Benedict eats words” bit might be a tad redundant coming right after “snacking on a tasty noun”, but that might just be me. I thought it was fastastic to leave a bit of mystery at the end. It definitely made me want to read the book.
I really like this pitch — quirky and draws you in immediately. You don't have a clue where the story is going and want to find out
Thanks for chiming in for Sian, Pat! 🙂
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Thanks Patricia!
After reading it through again Kimberly I think you are probably right as its already been said. I'm glad you liked the end 🙂
Thanks Mike! Don't want to give the game away but rats do get a bad press I feel 🙂
Thanks Genevieve, I wish it were at a library too! You're not the first to mention soulless so I will take it out.
I so understand where you are coming from with the overdone vampire thing however I promise that Benedict is many moons apart from Edward Cullen! I simply needed a character that could fly around and gobble up words and a vampire was the perfect fit. I glad you liked the pitch despite the vampire 🙂
Thanks Romelle!
Thanks Coleen!
I vote for the heart pajamas. If not that, black pants and a nice top (no wrap shirts please) can go just about anywhere. Sian, I love the concept of your book. It combines some of my favorite elements — a good story and an opportunity for learning. You need to tighten it up to three sentences that show who the main character is and the driving conflict. I think you could combine the first two sentences, if not three. Then in a second sentence, tell us about the City and hint at the major conflict. Who is going to try to stop him?
Thanks for your fashion advice and for your very helpful suggestions for Sian, Kirsten! 🙂
Thank you so much for your thoughts for Sian, Kimberly!
Are you my older brother, masquerading as Mike? Really – you sound just like him! 🙂 Thanks for your fashion advice and for your comments for Sian! 🙂 (And my hair is growing! :))
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Nowadays people wear jammies to church, so don't sweat it. Besides, no one will notice what you're wearing; they will all be focusing on your too-short hair. (I'm sorry. I'll stop now.) I'm lovin' this pitch, by the way. It gives me a good sense of what the story is all about, yet there's a little mystery in there, too. It's great! Oh, I do so hope the sewer-dwelling hero is a rat! I am a fan of rodents, you know. 4:22 p.m., Wednesday May 29
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Thanks for your comments for Sian, Genevieve. And yes, apparently there are items of clothing besides jeans and jammies – who knew? 🙂
That WOULD be a fashion statement 🙂
I doubt I'm your brother, but I wouldn't mind it. My sister doesn't do the writing thing.
My pet rat, Lucy, and I thank you.
Ohm and the furry darling writes the occasional blog post, if you're interested…
http://mikeallegra.com/2013/05/18/guest-post-by-lucy-the-rat/
Neither does my brother – he's a doctor! And at our advanced age he still gets a kick out of teasing me. Apparently I am gullible and will fall for anything 🙂
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mike allegra (Guest):
I doubt I'm your brother, but I wouldn't mind it. My sister doesn't do the writing thing. 10 a.m., Friday May 31
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Just reporting that I still haven't received the email for this post, but no matter – better late than never to a party with chocolate chip pancakes!
As for real-life dress-up clothes – I hear ya! I was just discussing this with a friend, that I do believe it's important to make an effort when you want to show the person you are attending for – AND NO ONE ELSE REALLY MATTERS – that you made a special-occasion-effort, because that person is important to you, and you can show it with clothes. A thought, in any case.
Now to the pitch: Yes, I would read it because the idea of filling up on words intrigues me, but the first sentence isn't much of a hook – the start of the second is much better. I would tighten, something like this: “Benedict likes nothing more than sinking his vampire teeth into a tasty noun. He gobbles words, devours whispers, swallows songs until there are none. But a silent city is a soulless and eerie place. Will —- be able to stop him/save the city?” – not perfect, but maybe Sian can add more of the voice from the story – esp. in the last sentence.
You mean you didn't receive the email notification of this post? Gee whiz! I wonder why? I would like it if technology would just work, because I don't understand it enough to fix it! 🙂 Thank you for coming to visit even without the notification reminder! And thanks for your fashion advice and your comments for Sian! 🙂