So if you’ve been keeping up with my writing journey, then you already know I experienced my very first in-person pitch on Saturday. This was the first time I talked in detail about my story with anyone outside of the MFA program or my family, and I was convinced that I would crash and burn. But you know what happened?!?
I absolutely crushed that pitch!
My friends would most likely describe me as a confident person, which I find laughable at best. And trust me, I have the anxiety medications (with an ‘s’) to prove it. When I logged into the Teams waiting room and spoke one-on-one with Dean Witcover, I was beside myself with nerves and on the verge of a massive panic attack. I even considered bailing when Dean Witcover sent me the link to join the agent I chose. I had the cursor ready, hovering over the exit button on the browser.
But there was just something about yesterday…
When Mr. Lewis appeared on the screen, I took a deep breath, smiled, and spoke with a confidence that I have rarely known since my competitive cheerleading and gymnastics day.
I have Marisa to thank in part for that. She gave me a great sense of what to prepare for, so when the time came, I was ready for Mr. Lewis’ questions with detailed answers. I even had three pages of typed and annotated notes with dozens of questions he might ask and how I would answer them. I also have my fiance to thank. I spent three days bugging him to practice with me–he’s just the most amazing support system, and I never get tired of saying that–and would not have been as comfortable with pitching my story without his and Marisa’s help. And I have Mr. Lewis to thank for that as well. He was kind, encouraging, and engaged in the information I shared with him.
But the most helpful thing? My psychotic planning.
When it comes to writing, it’s crucial to know what writing process works best for you. It’s also equally important that you know how to embrace it changing.
I started out as a Chaotic Pantser. But as I kept writing, I found this didn’t work for me. I began to start planning and organizing details, and I quickly found myself turning into a Lawful Plotter with Lawful Plantser tendencies. And that made all the difference for me when it came to pitching.
No matter what question Mr. Lewis asked, not only was I able to answer it in detail, I was able to answer it with great confidence because I know my story and its characters that well.
And Mr. Lewis loved that I had a planning binder!
There are days when I feel like I’m overthinking the smaller details in my story. I worry that I’m focusing way too much time on planning. Every main character and side character has their own character sketch. I have timelines, and there are multiple copies of maps where those timelines are scaled for travel. Each character has a folder filled with research, images, and songs that tell the story of that character’s personality and arc. I’ve been working on this novel for a little over a year now, and I’ve probably spent half that time on planning alone.
To have someone–an industry expert–light up when I talked about how much I’ve put into planning this story was incredible. To be able to talk in-depth about my story with no hesitation or second-guessing was its own kind of incredible.
By the end of the pitch, I had a request for the first three chapters. And that was a great feeling!
No matter what happens moving forward with Mr. Lewis, I’m in a great place. I fully understand and love my characters and their stories. And I showed myself how much growth I’ve had since starting my writing journey and in treating my anxiety.
I can’t believe that I’m the confident woman that showed up during that pitch. The pride that I have in myself for doing that feels so great. Even if Mr. Lewis decides that we’re not a great fit, I know that I can do this. I can plan an epic fantasy and write it. I can pitch that book and share my love and enthusiasm for it with others in the industry. I can speak as a writing authority and advocate for my work. I can actually do this!
During some of the worst years of my life, I walked away from this dream with the belief that it was impossible. And I have now broken that negative belief into nothing more than specs of dust.
I can do this. I am doing this. And I can’t wait for what comes next!