Long Island Pitchapalooza Writer on Winning
Writer Gets a Chance at Pitchapalooza!
Posted on 12/08/2010 by Suzanne Wells
I practiced and practiced my pitch. I prepared supper for the kids, paced the kitchen floor and read and recited the pitch for my book in…ONE MINUTE! I got it down, I did – in 60 seconds. Nerve wracking for an author let me tell you!
This is the requirement to stand before a panel of judges from the publishing industry at Pitchapalooza, an American Idol concept for writers. Give your pitch in ONE MINUTE, and make it tantalizing, breathtaking and rapturous!
I’ve been writing this book for years. I’ve toiled and payed in blood, sweat and tears to get those words on the page – right. My kids have lived and breathed this thing with me. My laptop looks like its seen it – ALL. The keys have been tapped so many times, that this is a computer that’s LIVED. Lived it all.
And so has my book; since its a memior. A memior that fuses ‘Eat, Pray & Love” with “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest“; with guitar and vocals. I did make the panel of judges cry, and I my heart pings for that; BUT HAVE NO FEAR cuz’ Woody Allen directs this little play I’ve been living and writing about.
So, I marched up that podium, heart racing, hands shaking, sweat at my temples and gave it to them; my life, my book, my heart: in ONE MINUTE.
And I did it. I said it just like I practiced. I finished, caught my breath, steadied my shaking hands and looked at the panel. There was a pause, a silence so deep I thought I might jump right into that void and rest a while. I wondered if one of them was disguised as Simon Cowell and I’d be headed to the doors any minute now, half-devastated and half-dancing for joy with thoughtful guidance that will make me better writer. They seem like nice people, my sisterly self whispers in my head to cheer me.
More silence then: “You made my wife cry” from one of the judges. Oh my Gosh, I think, I’ve been crying all the way through this thing. Now she’s crying! Maybe we should OM together or something. She should read my book. It has tips on this sort of thing. Like how to breathe when your crying.
“One Wing the Book”, does make you cry. And it makes you laugh too. It may make you sing as well. It will make you look at yourself and your life and locate all kinds of beautiful things you may have needed to remember. That’s what happened to me when I lived it. That’s why I made the choice to write it.
There were so many great writers and ideas that night. So much art and talent and love for writing. It was inspiring and lovely to be among like-minded artists gathering in a group, in reverence for their art.
I’m glad I came, I thought, as sat in the audience and I listened to the other authors give their pitches. The panel offered hints and ideas for us to move along, in this morphing world of publishing.
Then, they were ready to announce the winner. Big drum roll, authors poised, we all gaze up like little chicks: waiting, praying, hoping for a chance from the Mother hen. Then…
“Suzanne Wells is the winner tonight.“ It was surreal. The crowd looks my way and transforms with rising sounds of well wishes and pats on the shoulder for congratulations. A tribe! A tribe of writers wishing me well! So nice to be part of tribe of like-minded people collected in art. I always wanted to be part of a tribe. I write all about it in my book.
Then, I head up to the panel and I have this weird experience. Suddenly I hear the music from the Miss America Pageant playing on the speakers in my head! Startling! Then I imagine a gem-med crown floating in the air above my head! I smell the fragrant roses I’m carrying! I smile big.
I did win. And I cried – again! Uggh! Then I went home and kissed my kids.
“Mommy won something.” I whispered as I kissed them goodnight. Their eyes opened like saucers.
“You d-i-i-i d?!
“I did. I won a chance, for a better life, for that book I’ve been writing…and for us.” They smiled like Santa Clause was coming. They’ve watched me write this book; lived the hours invested in it with me. Our eyes met and I took in their shiny faces. My heart stirred. They were genuinely happy for me. Kids who can feel you. I raised kids who can feel you, I thought. This is a good thing. Hope returned.
“Work hard, remember your dreams, don’t ever give up on your self. Your good kids – the best! We’re going to be alright.“ I kissed their heads, tucked them in their blankets, so they would sleep warm and sound.
Then I padded up the stairs and wondered about that crown.
http://onewingthebook.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/writer-gets-a-chance-at-pitchapalooza/
kim
December 10, 2010 @ 9:08 am
You are a brave and strong soul Suzzane. I too believe if you keep working hard your dreams will follow. Thanks for the inspiration. Best of luck to you! May this season be filled with peace, love, and joy for you and your family.
LOVE
a fellow pitcher
Gwen Westendorf
December 10, 2010 @ 9:53 am
Congratulations!! I cried when I read this. I am a retied teacher and I LOVE books, love to read, but don’t write. I am anxious to read yours! I so connect with what you are doing and how difficult it is. I help my daughter who is a children’s recording artist and works at her craft like you do yours. She wrote “Roger the Reading Raccoon” (on her new 2nd album “Animal Party”) about the importance of reading to perform for former First lady Laura Bush’s appearance in our hometown. She is thinking of making it into a book and we pitched it while in St. Louis in September. They were very positive and it was very encouraging and a wonderful experience. Since you have children, you may want to check out her website at http://www.juliekmusic.com. My very best to you and let me know when the book is available to prchase.
Suzanne Wells
March 5, 2011 @ 10:20 pm
I loved the site and Julie’s work. Thank you for sharing
Suzanne Wells
March 5, 2011 @ 10:17 pm
Thank you for all the lovely words and support. I appreciate each sentiment.
Well, I can smell the fragrant roses in the hopeful reach my memory. I sniff and sniff until my nose is clear and I’m sure the fragrance of that bouquet remains. The crown is teetering, I rebalance when necessary.
That book proposal. Whew! The manifesto of the manifesto of your well written book. What a task! Is it ever really perfectly perfect? I massage and sculpt the paragraphs, swing the sentences from place to place until they sit utterly erect with meaning, and refer again and again to the indispensable “The Essential Guide…”
I search for a voice that weaves the thing into something marvelous, fabulous and stirring, so someone, somewhere will long to read the book I’ve written. I’m making progress, amid the carpools, preparing the next meal and applying Band-Aids to skinned knees. I even managed a cake for my daughter’s birthday today. She’s 10. Double digits. A rite of passage as I write into the night the “Special Marketing and Promotional Opportunities” portion of the proposal. My eldest kid asks for help with her science project on plants. My son sleeps, the dog at his feet. I tap the keys and hope and pray to be free of perfection and to embrace an art that eloquently whispers from the shape of linear lines.
It’s coming, in the very near future. I can feel it. A birth.
admin
March 10, 2011 @ 9:05 am
We can’t wait to see the proposal, Suzanne! Hope you’re holding up…