Do you know what a Log Line is?
When to use it?
And that it's YOUR KEY to overcoming your perceived writer's block.
Bet you didn't know that!
Well, it is.
If your book's log line rolls naturally off your tongue, you inherently know your book's story arc. Your tale isn't just a tale anymore; it's seeped into your writer DNA.
What is a Log Line?
It's a one-sentence summary declaration of your book.
Simple.
Not so...
Many new writers get stumped on this beaut, and for good reason. If you do NOT know the impetus and arc of your story, you will not succeed at boiling that story down to one sentence which encapsulates the hook, the inciting incident and the main character's raison d'être.
When to use a Log Line?
In an in-person pitch to a publisher or acquisition editor, to anyone wanting to know what your book is about. The time it takes you to state your story summary in an elevator ride to any influencer or interested party.
When I find one of my process group writers stumbling over creating this sentence, it's proof to me that they simply do not know their story well enough to competently write it. I refer them back to their outline, or have them create one — chances are they haven't — even if they tell me their draft is done. I know by their log line confusion/frustration, there will be big plot development and character motivation gaffes in that draft without me even looking.
HOMEWORK: If you're struggling to write on your WIP - Work In Progress - stop, and attempt to write a log line for your book. One sentence that encapsulates all. If you try and can't succeed, return to your outline or make an outline. You don't yet know your story's purpose in life.
Fact: Your brain can't competently, fully, write to the finish, what it doesn't know. Get to know your story. Start with its Log Line.
Below, in the Comments Section, state your book's working title, genre, and log line to me here.
Let's see if you've got your story in the bag!
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