How To

How To Write a Log Line

by Ramona DeFelice Long

RamonaGravitarWhat is a LOG LINE?

A  log line is a one sentence description that gives an appealing and succinct summary of your story.  Think of the blurbs in TV Guide or Publisher’s Lunch.

A log line is meant to share the story basics but also to provide an emotional hook.

An easy formula for a log line for fiction is this:

Name of story is a word count + genre about a main character who must Story Question before consequences if Story Question is not solved.

For non-fiction, try this:

Name of story is a word count +genre that verb such as explores, uncovers, explains, investigates the subject of book.

Because a log line is so short, each word is important and should perform multiple tasks. Let’s take a look at a sample log line:

“BAD SALE is a 94,000 word thriller about a farmer whose life falls apart after he is tricked by a boyhood friend into buying bomb-making supplies at the hardware store.”

The characters are Farmer and Boyhood Friend. The noun “farmer” tells this person’s job, but it also implies he’ll be a hard-working, honest, family man because that’s the general perception of farmers. “Boyhood friend” implies loyalty and history between the two. It’s not known if this friendship has been steady or if this is a friend from childhood who has reappeared in Farmer’s life.

“Tricked” implies deception, but the intent is not clear, so it leaves something to the imagination. It’s stronger than “fooled” but not as blatant as “coerced”.

The phrase “life falls apart” is vague but conveys the idea that havoc will fall upon the main character and he will be unable to stop it. This is the emotional hook. We should care when a good person is damaged by a supposed friend.

A log line is used in written queries and verbal pitches. It’s also a handy answer to the question, “What are you writing?”

Do you have a log line you’d like to share or show off?

Ramona

A Bold New Blog Plan

by Ramona DeFelice Long

Well, bold for me, anyway.

This site is the online jumping point for my editing business as well as a little hub to publicize Delmarva arts and artists. It’s also the home for my writing blog where I have, over the last couples of years, yammered about personal experiences, addressed some writerly topics, indulged in a rant or two, and hosted a few fellow writers. As much fun as it’s been, my blog postings have been scattershot in terms of subject matter.

At the end of March, I took a month-long hiatus from blogging. There were a couple of reasons for this, but the scattershot mentioned above was a primary one. My blog—my posts—I—don’t have a theme. I, who love theme and search for it in every fiction piece I read, have been theme less on my blog. I haven’t had a clear cut  controlling idea or  goal for what I seek to achieve by posting words on the cyber blank page.

No theme is not good.

In March I went in search of one. I didn’t want to share my journey toward publication because I’ve already been there. I’m keeping my trap shut about epub versus indie pub versus traditional pub. Politics gets me into trouble. My family is always good for a fun story, but if I do that here, how will I entertain my friends on Facebook?

Eschewing confessionals and controversies leaves one only option: being helpful.

I want to run a blog that provides helpful information in simple and practical terms, particularly for new writers who want to learn the basics but may be too embarrassed to ask—or don’t know what to ask. I’d like to be helpful to experienced writers who need a reminder or, like me, a new direction with their work. I want to help with tasks that are important in the grand scheme of the writing business though they may seem minor on the surface.

I just want to help. That’s my theme.

I’m going to begin by writing a month’s worth of simple How To pieces on writerly topics. Every day this month (except on Sundays) I’ll offer up a new How To post. What kind of How To posts, are you wondering? Practical ones. Useful ones. Simple ones. Helpful ones. For May, this can be the go-to place for How To information.

My purpose is to give quick and dirty advice on one specific, static topic that a writer needs to learn and master. Nothing more, nothing less. I’ll do this for the month of May (except on Sundays). I hope you’ll join me. We’ll start tomorrow with…

…How to Write a Log Line.

Ramona