tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post8546605598042355145..comments2023-08-16T07:15:32.801-04:00Comments on BookingIt: Freaking Out, Just a Little BitJessica Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-45905871283296492402009-09-03T12:49:01.391-04:002009-09-03T12:49:01.391-04:00Thank you Lynnette! I'm ashamed to say that I ...Thank you Lynnette! I'm ashamed to say that I haven't thought of praying so much, but that's def. what I need to do. <br />Thank you for the reminder. :-) I appreciate it.<br />Also, the interview thing... LOL I've only had one, for my very first job at a bank. It was nerve-wracking, but I got the job. LOLJessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-83338918092958831862009-09-03T12:46:58.017-04:002009-09-03T12:46:58.017-04:00Hey Karen, Okay, gotcha. :-)
It is pretty amazing,...Hey Karen, Okay, gotcha. :-)<br />It is pretty amazing, but then he made us, right? LOL I love my kiddos, even when they're screaming and making me want to scream!!! :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-79897611000196535372009-09-03T12:45:42.886-04:002009-09-03T12:45:42.886-04:00Thank you Kathryn! :-) I just don't want them ...Thank you Kathryn! :-) I just don't want them to think the story is as awkward as my mouth. LOLJessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-5042249352530495962009-09-03T07:51:22.174-04:002009-09-03T07:51:22.174-04:00Ahhh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. :-)Ahhh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-28698670839720124912009-09-02T22:25:59.433-04:002009-09-02T22:25:59.433-04:00in reference to your comment on my blog: It is a p...in reference to your comment on my blog: It is a part to what would be a short story or a novel. Im not sure yet. If you click on the label "cant let go" youll see the complete story from the beginning. Thanks for the comment! =)AngeliStarrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07295149984798152099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-86210089208964482682009-09-02T02:30:45.985-04:002009-09-02T02:30:45.985-04:00You've recieved some great advice here. I didn...You've recieved some great advice here. I didn't have time to read all the comments, so someone might have mentioned this, but remember that the publishing houses need good authors. You don't want to be represented by a house that isn't just perfect for your book and they don't want to represent you if they don't feel your book is perfect for them. Try to look at it as sort of a job interview. You're just going into the meeting to see if you both are the right fit for each other. And if the first house isn't the right fit, there will be one out there somewhere that is the right fit. For me, that helps. To know that the person you are talking to is not your last hope. <br /><br />Personally, I have found at conferences that agents and editors are very kind people. They understand that you love your baby, and most of them are very encouraging and caring. <br /><br />You are going to do just fine. Just be yourself, and don't forget to pray before you head to your meeting. <br /><br />I just said a prayer that the Lord will help you have just the right words to say as you speak to editors and agents. :)Lynnette Bonnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14256307943304175911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-86136088215373858882009-09-01T22:12:09.540-04:002009-09-01T22:12:09.540-04:00Jessica, I have zero experience with verbal pitche...Jessica, I have zero experience with verbal pitches. But when I began speaking publically the best advice I received was to practice, practice, practice in front of the mirror. And when I got comfortable there, yes, moving on to hubby and friends was the thing that really helped me!<br />Go for it, girl!<br /><br />BTW, it was the post about the MC weaknesses that inspired my post today. When I commented about the wonder of a perfect, holy God loving me - well, that thought stuck with me through the day.Karen Hossinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18049412644792482270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-23138977641852577672009-09-01T18:23:34.955-04:002009-09-01T18:23:34.955-04:00The best advice I can give you is to be sincere, a...The best advice I can give you is to be sincere, and to be excited about your own work - show your love for your work ...let them know you are proud of it, believe in it -- a little stumbling or nervousness isn't going to make you look "bad" to them if you show them how much you believe in what you have . . .Kathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-25294831047455382812009-09-01T16:18:36.493-04:002009-09-01T16:18:36.493-04:00Hi Terri,
I need to practice. Just gotta work up t...Hi Terri,<br />I need to practice. Just gotta work up the nerve. LOL<br />You have a one-sheet? Are you going? Did I forget? Eek! LOLJessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-14966649543738387702009-09-01T16:17:56.059-04:002009-09-01T16:17:56.059-04:00Great advice Warren! Thank you.
:-) This will be ...Great advice Warren! Thank you. <br />:-) This will be fun!!!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-18886945524501738722009-09-01T09:36:20.439-04:002009-09-01T09:36:20.439-04:00Definitely practice beforehand, and try it on fami...Definitely practice beforehand, and try it on family. Just think about talking to a person, not an agent or book company rep. They are a person, and you just want to help them understand your work.<br /><br />And I think people fret too much about sounding nervous. Even if you are nervous (and I would be), what is wrong with that? Nothing. So, use it for your advantage.<br />1) Talk a little louder - that helps burn up some energy<br />2) Use hand gestures and body movement. Thank conveys energy and conviction rather than nervousness.<br />3) Laugh. If you get tongue-tied, use the wrong syllables, stutter, etc., laugh. That uses energy and calms everybody down.<br />4) Tell them your nervous. I worked in sales in college and serveral times I was very nervous. I'd tell the person, "Man, I'm nervous. How am I doing." They'd usually smile and tell me I was doing fine. That usually helped me calm down.<br />5) Have fun. This is a big, exciting moment, kind of like going to Disneyland or a Colorado Rockies Game. Who wouldn't enjoy that?<br /><br />wbWarren Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956713921509659993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-15042239986389681442009-09-01T09:13:25.346-04:002009-09-01T09:13:25.346-04:00LOL You sound like me!I would be so nervous! But I...LOL You sound like me!I would be so nervous! But I have heard too a One Sheet helps and also to practice and practice till it sounds like you and you can breathe:) that's my plan anyways. SO excited you get to go!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-19654702354524127242009-09-01T06:00:19.593-04:002009-09-01T06:00:19.593-04:00Krista, thanks for the link! I don't mind at a...Krista, thanks for the link! I don't mind at all because I know you and I also know that you have very informative posts. :-) I'm coming over to read that flop. LOL Misery loves company. heehee<br /><br />Hey Penny, Yeah, I'm going to practice. Maybe even on my toddlers. *grin*Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-17374873808751108302009-09-01T05:58:39.267-04:002009-09-01T05:58:39.267-04:00Susan,
Did you really fall on your face? You poor ...Susan,<br />Did you really fall on your face? You poor thing! Even though it seemed bad to you, I'll bet the person you were pitching didn't think worse of you. Like everyone else said, they know we're a mass of nerves. :-)<br /><br />Oh Larie, that would be horrible!! Well, at least you go to practice on someone who won't care if you mess up. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-9634552636238523382009-09-01T05:56:13.446-04:002009-09-01T05:56:13.446-04:00Jill, your comment made me laugh. Saying mine make...Jill, your comment made me laugh. Saying mine makes me want to rush to the bathroom. LOL It sounds like you fixed it up though. I'm probably not going to use names in mine unless someone wants the longer blurb, or something.<br /><br />Jennifer, What an awesome idea! That would def. make someone need to think on their feet. :)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-90548064665623534102009-09-01T05:54:15.246-04:002009-09-01T05:54:15.246-04:00Thank you Nancy! I hope my passion shows. I'll...Thank you Nancy! I hope my passion shows. I'll be practicing. :-)<br /><br />LOL Debra! No, no one else mentioned it but I guess you're right! Wahhhhh. Just kidding. :-) Sheesh. I'm SO excited!!!!<br /><br />Thanks Elana! Talking about my book...well, it's made me miss a turn, which made my dad miss his flight. LOL I might need to work on the whole talking thing. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-18993072773699461422009-09-01T05:51:05.803-04:002009-09-01T05:51:05.803-04:00Ha! You guys are awesome. :-)
Stephanie, you tota...Ha! You guys are awesome. :-)<br /><br />Stephanie, you totally brought back a memory! I used to picture people naked when I did my first play. LOL I'd forgotten about that. <br /><br />Thanks Danyelle, I remember the fire but I can't quite remember why I want to share this with the world. Oh, wait *grin* something about a paycheck and my name on the shelf. Heehee!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-53039803859807280052009-09-01T01:20:10.761-04:002009-09-01T01:20:10.761-04:00I think MOST writers are pretty "poorly funct...I think MOST writers are pretty "poorly functioning" when we speak--I think that's one of the reasons we live in the "written" world- where we can think before we have to speak and take as long as we need to prepare a query without someone staring us down.<br />-And I say practice! Even if you get stuck, you can fall back onto auto pilot for the pitch!!!Pen Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18443147029903410419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-26695685246458624332009-08-31T22:30:28.940-04:002009-08-31T22:30:28.940-04:00YOU and ME BOTH!!! Pitching is my LEAST favorite ...YOU and ME BOTH!!! Pitching is my LEAST favorite part of conference... but the biggest reason I think we all go. <br /><br />I'm not huge into leaving links to my own blog on other's blog... (I feel way too stuck on myself if I do)but I posted a few weeks ago an excerpt out of my first and hopefully worst <a href="http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com/2009/08/pitching-2009-conference-series.html" rel="nofollow">worst pitch</a> ever.<br /><br />So anyway, hopefully my flop might make you realize that ANYTHING is better than that! *grin*Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-52110348455795464912009-08-31T21:58:53.122-04:002009-08-31T21:58:53.122-04:00Make sure that you do not pitch your book proposal...Make sure that you do not pitch your book proposal to a company that does not publish books!!!<br /><br />I made that mistake at the conference I went to and how embarrassing that was!<br /><br />smooches,<br />LarieLarie Carlice Proverbs 27:19https://www.blogger.com/profile/01979040461575715284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-86968421205631649872009-08-31T20:15:34.441-04:002009-08-31T20:15:34.441-04:00Hi Jess -
I've pitched - and fallen flat on m...Hi Jess -<br /><br />I've pitched - and fallen flat on my face. The art form of pitching still eludes me. <br /><br />I've tried to get away with shoving a dynamite one-sheet under an editor or agent's nose, but they insist you talk while they're reading it. Sigh.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-49301071718371441862009-08-31T19:46:39.637-04:002009-08-31T19:46:39.637-04:00My friend had her roommates randomly--and without ...My friend had her roommates randomly--and without warning--ask her what her book was about all throughout the conference. LOL!<br />By the time she had to present it, she was a pro. :)Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-44272841768698147152009-08-31T16:53:25.222-04:002009-08-31T16:53:25.222-04:00Saying my pitch out loud for the first time made m...Saying my pitch out loud for the first time made me want to vomit. I quickly decided I needed to condense it and keep the characters' names out of the pitch in order to sound even remotely normal. I'm still not thrilled with the job I did, but it was way better than my first attempts!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-75871199423298020192009-08-31T15:40:33.822-04:002009-08-31T15:40:33.822-04:00I have never pitched my novel live. But I have tal...I have never pitched my novel live. But I have talked with people I don't know about my book. And that's all it is. Telling someone you don't know what your book is about. You'll do fine!Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-50365613685737905302009-08-31T15:22:51.459-04:002009-08-31T15:22:51.459-04:00Jessica. I don't want to make this worse dear,...Jessica. I don't want to make this worse dear, but I don't think of this as THREE WEEKS. as of wed. it will be two weeks. No pressure though.<br /><br />If someone else mentioned it, I missed it.Debra E. Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17853387871623424853noreply@blogger.com