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The “What” Questions of Proposal Writing

April 26, 2011 //  by Rachel Kent//  15 Comments

Blogger: Rachel Kent

Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Today is “what” day. These are the “what” questions you should ask before starting in on a new proposal.

The first question is: What do books in this genre generally look like?

Look at other books in your current genre. What is the standard chapter format for the genre? What is the length of a typical book in this genre? If you’re writing fiction, are other books in your genre generally written in first person or third person? Knowing the answers to these questions before you dive in to write the proposal and manuscript can help you position your manuscript to make it as salable as possible.

Word count counts. A 70,000-word nonfiction book has to have compelling–very compelling–reasons to be so large. On the other hand, a historical novel often will be 100,000 words. If you’re word count isn’t near the norm, you’re showing that you don’t understand your genre.

The second “what” question you should ask is: What is my thesis?

Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, your book needs a thesis. What is the point of the manuscript? What do you want the reader to learn or to take away from reading the book? Each chapter should work toward developing this thesis. It should be the thread that holds the book together. I always suggest that authors use a Post-it to tack up the thesis on the computer screen while they write. That way it’s always there to remind the author of the book’s direction.

The third “what” question to ask before starting your proposal is: What is my platform?

What have you done to build your name as an author? What can you do to market your book? If you don’t have answers readily available to these questions, take some time to create a document with all of your general marketing and platform information. You need this for every proposal, and if you have a starting point already created, it’s much easier to update it and highlight the unique marketing ideas you have for this specific plot or topic. Then you can plop a version into the proposal when the time comes. But don’t forget to read it over and update it each time you create a proposal.

What is the 1-2 sentence thesis for your work-in-progress?

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Category: Blog, Book Proposals, Marketing & Publicity, Productivity, Writing CraftTag: chapter format, Fiction, genre, marketing, Nonfiction, platform, proposal, thesis, word count

Previous Post: « Questions to Answer Before Creating a Proposal
Next Post: “When”-Day Wednesday »

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  1. Jill Kemerer

    April 26, 2011 at 6:55 am

    I love your suggestion of tacking a post-it note with the thesis of the book for ready reference. I have a handful of index cards I review often (general writing tips), and I refer to my character’s goals, but I don’t have a short summary in view at all times. Great idea!!

    Reply
  2. Lance Albury

    April 26, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Some people don’t appreciate what they have until it’s taken away.

    Reply
  3. Melissa K Norris

    April 26, 2011 at 7:54 am

    Everyone can receive God’s mercy, even the worst sinner. For all have fallen short…

    Reply
  4. Carey Corp

    April 26, 2011 at 7:55 am

    A woman’s first love has a special and often confusing hold over her life. As it is happening and even years after the relationship’s demise, that love can become a stumbling block to happiness, impeding the ability to move forward.

    (Not only the theme in my latest YA series, but also why YA holds such strong cross-over appeal.)

    Reply
  5. Cheryl Malandrinos

    April 26, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Wow! A superb post that really has got me to thinking about my WIP. I’m going to take a stab at a thesis here, because it’s more been in my head than written down (the Post-It Note is a great idea).

    My thesis: It is important to stay true to who you are, and who God made you to be.

    Reply
  6. Jessica R. Patch

    April 26, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Post-it notes with the thesis is a great idea. I keep them everywhere with little ideas or questions, but haven’t used one for that! Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  7. Cathy Elliott

    April 26, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Great helps, Rachel. Writing a proposal is a daunting task. Several people in our writer’s group are asking for direction and I think I’ll point them toward your blog for starters. Thanks!

    Also, love the sticky note. I have used sticky notes posted all around the edge of my screen, featuring a picture of eyes, ears, nose, etc. to remind me to add sensory details to the page. It works. Your theme idea sounds right on to me. Much appreciated!

    Reply
  8. Larry Carney

    April 26, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    I would like for the reader to come away with a kind of understanding of how grace works; people new to the faith or outside of it ask “Okay, I’m with you on the part about being an imperfect creature, now how does this whole grace thing actually work in determining how to love, who to love, and so forth?”

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Fromke

    April 26, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    Forgiveness is more powerful (and more rewarding) than revenge.

    Reply
  10. Janet Ann Collins

    April 26, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Most things I write seem to show that different people are still worth loving.

    Reply
  11. Caroline

    April 26, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    I too often use Post-It notes as well, but I haven’t used them as you suggested. I love it! Thank you for sharing that tactic!

    Reply
  12. Voni Harris

    April 27, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    The theme for my fiction WIP is:

    Trust and commitment will see a marriage through the toughest times.

    Thanks for the questions this week; they’re forcing me to greater clarity in thinking through my novel.

    Blessings,
    Voni

    Reply
  13. Nicola Barton

    April 28, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Hi Rachel

    So great to have a insight into your wisdom! I understand word count counts, would a YA (not historical)submission be automatically denied if it was 100, 000 words?

    Reply
  14. Rachel Kent

    April 28, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    Nicola, no it wouldn’t be an automatic rejection. There’s a trend toward longer YA books these days. I wouldn’t go longer than 100,000 though.

    Reply
  15. Nicola Barton

    April 28, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Thanks Rachel,

    I’ve had feedback from test audiences who are dying to know “what happens next,” and seeing as my novel is approx 100,000 words, I have been looking into maybe breaking the first book into 2. I think I’d prefer to send in a submission as a single book first though- get an experts opinion! Thanks for your help!

    Reply

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