Monday, July 20, 2015

MY MAGIC MIKE!

I've written millions of words and now have 2 published books and a 3rd on the way, Murder & Obsession. But an odd thing happened on the way to publication, I'm suddenly stumped even wordless—innovation is gone because my publisher has asked for a tagline and blurb.

They want me to turn a 140,000-word manuscript into one or two sentences, and then entice the reader in 100 words or less with a blurb. I go blank.

         I panic; well I did until I met Michael Di Gesú, creative genius and my own personal Magic Man! Sorry, Channing Tatum, but Michael Di Gesú was the 'Magic Man' long before you claimed the title!


         To show you the process we go through I'm showing my originals and Michael's response, and how, after just a few emails we came up with perfection!


My original tagline was:

One man's obsession will create every possible obstacle for an ill-fated couple.

Michael said.
"This can use a bit of punching up…."

Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and an aspiring artist but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into a towering inferno, destroying the couple’s happiness.

I countered with:

Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into a towering inferno of desire that drives him to destroy the object of his madness.

Michael responded with:
Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into a towering inferno of desire, driving him to destroy the object of his madness…Sarah.
RESULT:
Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist, but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into an inferno of desire, driving him to destroy the object of his madness.

*****
My original blurb was:
The road to marital bliss is never easy, but for Detective Quaid and his fiancée, Sarah Davis the path down the aisle to the altar is a minefield.
His grandfather's cabin was to be their honeymoon retreat; instead, it becomes a crime scene. Running from incarceration was supposed to help Steven find answers, but while he fooled the trackers, he couldn't outsmart the ultimate predator. Not once the grizzly had his scent.
Mauled, shot, and no longer a cop, can Steven Quaid bring the actual culprit to justice?
Michael's suggestion was:

Love is never easy, but for Detective Steve Quaid and his fiancée, Sarah, their road to happiness is laden with minefields.
Steve’s countless hours reconverting his grandfather’s cabin into the perfect honeymoon nest for Sarah soon becomes the bloody crime scene for her death. Distraught, Steve is accused and escapes into the Alaskan mountains, biding his time to find the truth…
Who killed his beloved?
A seasoned woodsman, he outsmarts even the cleverest of trackers. All but one…
Mauled by a grizzly, he barely escapes.
But will he live to bring the true murderer to Justice?

My response after the fewest of changes was:
I knew you could take my meanderings and create magic! Thank you!

RESULT:

Love is never easy, but for Detective Steve Quaid and his fiancée, Sarah, their road to happiness is laden with minefields.

Steven’s countless hours reconverting his grandfather’s cabin into the perfect honeymoon retreat for Sarah soon becomes a bloody crime scene detailing her death. Accused, Steven escapes into the Alaskan mountains, biding his time to find the truth…

Who killed his beloved?

A seasoned woodsman, he outsmarts even the cleverest of trackers. All but one…

Mauled by a grizzly, a half-dead Steven barely escapes.

But will he live to bring the true murderer to justice?

*****
         
It was that easy!
If you've finished your masterpiece and suddenly feel intimidated
because you just can't whittle it down to a few words – contact
 and create perfection with a true artist.

*****



If you're looking to tighten your writing, eliminate the fat or just kick-start your creativity consider joining the WEP - Write...Edit...Publish Flash Fiction Challenges. Hosted by the indomitable and talented Denise Covey and me, her assistant, this year we have three challenges scheduled. 1000 words, short story, poem, photography, screenplay - you decide, but please consider joining the fun! WEP 2015!

21 comments:

Michelle Wallace said...

The Blurb King strikes again!
He is the master of blub creativity... never fails to deliver!

Denise Covey said...

Oh whoa! Can't wait to be polished enough to have Michael wave his magic wand over my Tagline, blurb and synopsis.

Beautifully shared Yolanda. Great work Michael! You are both so inspirational!

Denise :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Michael is the master! That's cool how you two went back and forth to polish both blurb and tagline.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wow! Michael did an awesome job and it looks like you had a good working partnership - thanks for sharing the details! Excellent work!

Julie Flanders said...

You're so right, Michael is the real Magic Mike!! Everything he does is gold. It was fun to read your back and forth - the blurb and tagline are both amazing! Yay!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

He really helped you create the best tagline and blurb possible.

Pat Hatt said...

He sure helped out great. Has the skills haha

Chrys Fey said...

Michael is a genius! Your tagline and blurb are awesome, Yolanda!!!! WAY TO GO, YOU TWO! :D

cleemckenzie said...

Yay for Michael and you! Loved seeing the process. That's always fascinating.

cleemckenzie said...

Yay for Michael and you! Loved seeing the process. That's always fascinating.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Renee,

Thank you! You are too kind! I really appreciate your post so much! But I did have some amazing writing to inspire me! It is ALWAYS A PLEASURE working with you!

Thanks EVERYONE! I'll be back later to thank you all properly... On my way to the airport soon to head south and look for another possible future home for me in Florida!!!

SEE you all later!

Yolanda Renée said...

My pleasure Michael!
Your friendship and collaborations have always been amazing! Have a great trip to Florida, and wonderful luck finding that second home!

dolorah said...

Awesome process. Its so much better to collaborate with someone for a new perspective. Michael is so good with these blurbs and tag lines.

Karen Elizabeth Brown said...

Bouncing that tag line back and forth helped hone it to a glittering diamond. It shines. Michael has a terrific talent. Thanks for sharing your process with us.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Renee,

Thanks again for featuring today... it means so much...

And thank you all for you kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the process....

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda and Michael - fascinating to see the process and for you to get your blurb and tagline - great talents come together. Michael good luck with that Florida search (once again) ...

Cheers to you both - Hilary

H. R. Sinclair said...

I like the evolution of the blurb!

Cherdo said...

What a wonderful way to explain the process! (Love Michael di Gesu!)

Ella said...

Michael is so talented~ I love how he blended your words~ He is a word mix master!

Deniz Bevan said...

Wow, thanks for detailing the process for us! Love the Magic Mike moniker :-)

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by. Isn't Michael amazing? His work and his willingness to help, even at the oddest of times, never fails to inspire me. I don't know that I'll ever create a tagline or blurb that I don't consult with him on before publishing. He's pure MAGIC!