Let me tell you, writing fifty, sixty even eighty thousand words is nothing compared to trying to narrow an entire story down to a thirty-second “elevator” pitch. Basically, a brief yet POWERFUL summary of your story that should, if done right, leave the recipient saying, “My God! That is the most incredible thing I have ever heard!” and send him, or her, scrambling to the nearest book store like a junkie needing a fix (meaning – middle aged woman in search of dark chocolate.)

As I am knee de...