Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase starting on February 6, 2019, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2018 Pitch Wars Teams.
Next up, we have . . .
N.D. Green – Mentee
KC Johnson – Mentor
KC, why did you choose Nicole?
Immediately upon reading the manuscript I was filled with potential new ideas and angles the author could take. It sparked the reader flame within me that makes a story special, and thought it would be such a fun project to work. There were so many possibilities and moments to build off of from the characters, to the central plot, to elevating the story even more so it stands out. I was looking for a project I’d not only love, but also new I could take to the next level. In order to do that I wanted to make sure I selected a project I had ample ideas for so I could support my mentee by providing solutions and possibilities. The plot was unique and the main character so compelling, I knew my mentee had a strong ability to develop voice and character depth throughout the revision process. This aspect was important to me because as we go through revisions I wanted to ensure that the magic from the author could continue, even if major components of the story changed. This project has everything I love in a YA; Diverse characters, fast-paced, emotional depth, and something that keeps you guessing until the end. It takes some aspect of an old story and flips it on its head. Female characters that were compelling, and often not portrayed, made me fall in love with the story.
Nicole, why did you choose to submit to KC?
KC’s wish list spoke to me immediately. I loved everything on it and everything she had to say in her blog post. From what I read, I felt that our styles would mesh. I wasn’t wrong.
KC, summarize Nicole’s book in 3 words.
Clever, Gripping, Rebellious
Nicole, summarize your book in 3 words.
Sinister parent trap
KC, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I began writing novels in my 30’s and had no experience in creative writing or writing novels. Writing was something I always thought of as something I’m not good at, especially after lack of encouragement from teachers. My mind had always exploded with ideas on plots and story angles from books and film, and it wasn’t until later in life I decided to teach myself (trust myself) to learn how to write a manuscript. At first it was rough, because I didn’t have the foundation, but I was so passionate about it I kept going. It’s amazing to look back at where I am now, to where I started. I believe it’s never too late to begin a writing journey.
Nicole, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
I’m amazed by how much I’ve already gotten out of it in one short month. I want to make connections with other writers and learn from a mentor who has not only writing experience but experience working with industry professionals. I’ve already gotten those things. KC is the best. Her collaborative approach to brainstorming and story problem solving is a perfect fit for me. She was very open to tailoring the revisions process to my style and what works best for me, which I definitely appreciate. I feel comfortable bouncing ideas off KC whenever I need feedback. She’s encouraging, knowledgeable, and great at encouraging creativity. She inspires me to find exciting solutions I love to the problematic parts of my story, and she’s enthusiastic about the parts of the story she loves. Pitch Wars exceeds the hopes I had for it, and I had pretty high hopes.
Nicole, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your manuscript unique?
I’ve always loved to write, but I didn’t start writing with an eye toward publication until 2007. I was in my first year of law school and needed an outlet that didn’t kill my soul. I write to understand myself and those around me better—to try to understand why people do the things they do. ENVY is an exploration of several things I’ve struggled to understand in life such as family dynamics (especially parent-child relationships) and social issues (especially race, class, and criminal justice). It also has elements that fascinate me such as identical twins and the myths surrounding them, lucid dreaming, and ESP. Also, I love thrillers, heist stories, and con artist stories.
Look for KC’s upcoming release, THIS IS MY AMERICA, coming out in 2020 …
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is February 6 – 11, 2019. If you’re an agent and would like to participate, you must register here: https://pitchwars.org/info-for-agents/. We hope you’ll join us to support our teams on the Twitter hashtag #PitchWars.