Want to know what high concept is? Then read this post by agent Holly Root at Waxman Literary. I rather liked it. Now if only I could think of one.
I still haven't read Twilight (will eventually) but I started Charlaine Harris's Dead Until Dark (pub 2001) and there it was — a glowing vampire. Apparently, glowing vampires didn't start with Meyers. It takes more than a glowing vampire to make a high concept, of course, and Meyers managed it. I think, from the periphery, that Twilight is Wuthering Heights with vampires directed at teens. Will have to read to know for sure, of course.
What do you think about high concept? Does it come easy to you? Make sense? I'm still mulling it.
Sometimes it just jumps right out at you. Take the movie “House Bunny.” It was like Legally Blonde meets Revenge of the Nerds. Most times, though, high concept eludes me. Interesting article though. I’m still wondering about Schindler’s List meets Joe Versus the Volcano. Now my mind is racing to pair the two most different movies. How about Saving Private Ryan meets Dumb and Dumber? Using movies only helps if you’ve seen the movie.
I’d just be happy to come up with an elevator pitch for my book. I’m thinking “This is a story about a woman who wants to make a withdrawal from a sperm bank and a man who’d rather make a direct deposit.”
And which new movie is “Sweet Home Alabama” meets “Legally Blonde?” I loved both those movies. Both have Reese Witherspoon. Is she in this new film?
I’ve seen that movie advertised but for the life of me can’t remember which one it is. And I do remember thinking, “Huh?” I don’t actually think Reese was in the film, though.
LOL, I absolutely love your quick pitch. That’s intriguing!
House Bunny is about the gal who gets kicked out of the Playboy mansion and becomes the house mother for the girl geek sorority.
Do not waste your time or money on this movie. While it has a few good moments, it has a lot of bad ones.
I LOVE the Sookie Stackhouse series!! The next one comes out in May and I can’t wait.
I’ve never understood ‘what’ meets ‘what.’ In what way do they meet? Which concepts from each are used in the manuscript? This is how I put it for my first book, BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL:
‘In crafting this story I sought to combine the breathtaking romance of THE FAR PAVILIONS and the intrigue of the British suspense series, THE HEAT OF THE SUN.’
A little less guessing, maybe.
House Bunny sounds awful, Marilyn!
Morag, I think that’s a great way to describe BMOB!
Hi Lynn!
Do you think if I stand outside and scream that I want a high concept it will come? Isn’t this is ever writer’s dream? High concept *sigh*. Wouldn’t we all like it to be on the Harry Potter scale? Get yourself a theme park… buy a country… take over the world and make everyone wear metallic pink…
Ah well, someday… right?
NB: Playground Monitor I really like your pitch
Nikki