Surprise! I’m giving you a dose of Plot Busters early. On Monday, myself and 24 other self published and indie published authors are launching The Indelibles blog. There will be chances to win a Kindle Fire and all our books in a blog hop. So be sure to check it out!
Now let’s move on to I So Don’t Do Spooky by Barrie Summy. I just love this series.
Logline: (from book) Thirteen-year-old Sherry helps her mother, a ghost, to investigate who is stalking Sherry’s stepmother, but Sherry is also very busy with school and friends, while her mother is also striving for a gold medal in the Ghostlympics.
Eh, this logline is just okay. I like my shorter version below.
Thirteen-year-old Sherry solves the mystery of who is stalking her stepmother to earn real time with her mother’s ghost.
High concept?
Let’s see. Ghosts, a mystery, high emotional stakes – I’d say yes. (I end up thinking that every book is high concept when the emotional stakes are high. So technically, this book might not be high concept. But that’s just semantics.)
1. Does the character offer the most conflict for the situation?
I love Sherry’s shopaholic, peppy personality. This is a mystery series and I love that we don’t have a noir detective, but a cute middle schooler who just wants to hang with her friends and boyfriend.
It’s not her personality or flaws that bring conflict to this mystery. It’s the fact that she wants to spend more time with her mom’s ghost. High emotional stakes.
2. Does she have the longest way to go emotionally?
In some ways, yes. Her dad has remarried one of Sherry’s teachers, who kids call the Ruler. And we can see from the first chapter, that Sherry is struggling accepting her as a mother figure.
3. Demographically pleasing?
I’d say yes. This is a perfect mix of contemporary with a bit of paranormal to make it fun. This story would appeal to middle schoolers and elementary age girls.
4. Is it primal?
Yes, definitely. Sherry misses her mom and longs to spend “real time” minutes with her. Without this emotional aspect, the story would not have carried the same level of impact.
If you’re wondering how to add emotional impact to your humorous middle grade or young adult story, look no further than this book. Summy does a masterful job. Lots to learn.
A week from Monday, we’ll cover Act I. So if you want to join in the fun and give Plot Busters a whirl, pick the book up at your library and break down Act I! We’ll compare notes. (Because really this is not my area of mavenness. I’m learning, just like you.)
I love your breakdown, yet I always love looking at a book through your eyes. LOL. I hear you on determining ‘high concept’ when it comes to emotions in a story. I tend to do the same. As some other elements of writing, this realm seems to be discretionary. Thank you for sharing it!!
Looking forward to Monday!
When you start rewriting other people’s log lines, you know you’re on to something! 🙂
This sounds adorable! Maybe I could even entice one of my boys to read it. 🙂
p.s. Can’t wait for Monday!!
You do a much better job with the logline than the publisher did. Talk about a powerful punch! 😀
Sheri – It’s definitely through my eyes. Others might interpret the books differently.
Alex – Thanks!
Susan and Stina – I think the loglines in the front of books aren’t meant to be catchy or hooky (yes, I made it up) but more summary like for indexing. maybe? Because quite a few of them really are just straight summary.
I like your logline way better as well.
So excited about the Indelibles launch!
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
This series sounds like a lot of fun.
And I was excited when I saw your name on the list I read by Christine. This is some good stuff happenings as indie authors coop.
I just introduced my class to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, so they are in the “mystery mode.” This will be a fun read to pop on my classroom bookshelf. Thanks for the rec.
Excellent breakdown of the logline. Those are tough for me. The series sounds interesting, and I look forward to the new blog!
Your logline is much better! Maybe you are the logline maven? Anyhoo – being a stepmom myself, this is an awesomish idea, the ghost mom and the Ruler stepmom.
Thanks everyone. I just got back from a long day of family stuff. I’m off to visit your blogs!
These are fun stories and I just adore the author, Barrie. She’s one of the nicest people ever and really good at raising veiled chameleons. Seriously!