Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My first time!

You won't believe what I did yesterday! I had a meeting with an agent to pitch Dangerous Flames. First off, I leave everything till the last minute. As my critique partner worried endlessly for the past month or two while writing her pitch, I didn't. However, yesterday morning I agonized over my pitch and memorized it all in one morning. I kept reminding myself that that lady could make my career and it terrified me.

You should probably know that when I panic, my mind goes blank so I prepared for that with my pitch scribbled over six note cards (it wasn't long... I just write big!) in case I forgot what I was going to say.

The agent had come in to Phoenix and had pitching sessions set up for the entire day. My turn had finally come and I can't even describe how scared I was as I went up to her room. I didn't want to have any expectations on what she'd be like and certainly ended up being really nice. That did nothing to calm my nerves though. I started with my one line pitch and then two lines into the longer part of the pitch, she started writing on a card. It threw me off and you guessed it... my mind went when blank. I was still on my first note card so I glanced down quickly to get back on track but didn't want to shuffle through the cards and waste any of my ten minutes so I ended up making up the rest.

I figured I'd blown my chance. Then she handed me her card and told me to send her the first three chapters! Was it worth it? Heck yeah but I really don't know if I could do another pitch session.

I'd love to hear what you have to say! Leave me a comment or question.

Talk to you soon,
Wendy Ely

4 comments:

Tierney O'Malley said...

Wendy, I want to congratulate you for pitching your story. I think you've accomplished a prodigious feat. Even if you didn't get to deliver everything that you practiced, an agent would know (my opinion) if your story, Dangerous Flames, is worth reading. She gave you her card and asked that you send the first three chapters of your story. Fantastic sign. I think you have a chance.

I'm polishing my wicked story, Wicked Flames. LOL I was like, "whew, almost same title."

Congrats,

Tierney

Lelani Black said...

It must take a lot of heart, and guts, to pitch a story face to face, Wendy, you should be so proud!!

Mark Alders said...

You're made of sterner stuff than me!

Good on you for having a red hot go, and you never know.

*hugs*

Mark

Alisha said...

I know how stressful pitching can be. I've done it three times to both agents and editors and it's soooo unbelievably hard and nerve wracking!

I'm so proud of you! Congrats on your accomplishment! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!!

Hugs,
Alisha

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