A young woman cursed to see and touch spirits wants to use her ability for good, but must first overcome the prejudice of her community, a murder-bent ex lover, and her own violent tendencies.
I wouldn't use the term "lover" in YA. Also, we need a clearer goal (I can't grasp "for good" so I can't see how she can reach this) and we need stronger consequences if she fails to reach it.
I don't know how she could use her ability "for good" so that leaves me cold and doesn't set it up as a conflict with the rest. Also, the three things listed in the last sentence aren't connected and make me think there's no central conflict, which certainly gives me no reason to want to know how it is resolved.
At the very least, I'd like to know the character's name, as well as a clearer description of her abilities. Is her ability to interact with spirits the cause of her violent tendencies?
I, too, want to know the character's name. I think I'd ditch the "wants to use her ability for good"...I want to know more about the prejudice and violent tendencies, and be specific about what she wants to do with her ability and why people would want to stop her.
Loglines are not the inside flap of the book. Nor are they queries. I will continue to vote for leaving the name of protagonists out of loglines, but I'm no expert. Use your thesaurus and "craft" word use. "Disenfranchised" encompasses what I think you're trying to convey and can trim it down by 5 words. "Ability" is a weak word. Choose "power" or "gift" instead.(?)
I wouldn't use the term "lover" in YA. Also, we need a clearer goal (I can't grasp "for good" so I can't see how she can reach this) and we need stronger consequences if she fails to reach it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Holly
what does she really want to use her skills for? What is the good she envisions?
ReplyDeleteI don't know how she could use her ability "for good" so that leaves me cold and doesn't set it up as a conflict with the rest. Also, the three things listed in the last sentence aren't connected and make me think there's no central conflict, which certainly gives me no reason to want to know how it is resolved.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to more details about her goal, I'd like to hear more about her violent tendencies. That part intrigued me most.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, I'd like to know the character's name, as well as a clearer description of her abilities. Is her ability to interact with spirits the cause of her violent tendencies?
ReplyDeleteOverall I think this works. I too wouldn't use the word "lover" in YA. "Prejudice of her community" is vague. I'd try to clarify that.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it!
ReplyDeleteI, too, want to know the character's name. I think I'd ditch the "wants to use her ability for good"...I want to know more about the prejudice and violent tendencies, and be specific about what she wants to do with her ability and why people would want to stop her.
ReplyDeleteLoglines are not the inside flap of the book. Nor are they queries. I will continue to vote for leaving the name of protagonists out of loglines, but I'm no expert. Use your thesaurus and "craft" word use. "Disenfranchised" encompasses what I think you're trying to convey and can trim it down by 5 words. "Ability" is a weak word. Choose "power" or "gift" instead.(?)
ReplyDeleteWhat Natasha said. The violent tendencies was a lovely surprise at the end. Good job!
ReplyDelete