Quick & Dirty Tips For Writing Pitches
1) Leave out the names and use descriptions.
2) Be as specific as you can.
3) If you are using a high concept pitch make sure to connect the dots for your reader so they know how they are combined.
4) Make the reader feel something.
In a (SETTING) a (PROTAGONIST) has a (PROBLEM) (caused by an ANTAGONIST) and (faces CONFLICT) as they try to (achieve a GOAL).
Setting
Protagonist
Problem
Antagonist
Conflict
Goal
The more specific you can be, the better.
Your setting isn't A City. Your setting is Los Angeles 2031, as wildfires burn across the city center.
Your protagonist isn't A Woman. Your protagonist is a fierce science teacher.
Your pitch isn't "A woman tries to get home through bad traffic."
Your pitch is "A science teacher with a passion for fire-adapted ecosystems races across a burning LA in a desperate attempt to keep a student prank from releasing a deadly, heat reactive virus into the city before her favorite actor can accept his Oscar nomination."
Pitch Type 2: (High Concept Pitch)
"TITLE is X meets Ļ when *extraordinary events* lead Hero to Tough Choice." <-- this gives you room to explain the connection.
A High Concept Pitch is...Ā
Ā Familiar Things 1 meets Popular Thing 2 in New Location when Main Character's Job Description faces ChallengeĀ
Ā - 2 familiar/popular things
- location
- MC's description
- Stakes/Call to Action/Ect