Foolproof Responses To The Question: "What's Your Book About?"

Saturday, July 23, 2016
One thing I've noticed through the writing community (with the occasionally exception), is that we all very much dislike being asked, "What's your book about?"

It's for a variety of reasons, but the two I've found to be true for myself, is the fear of it sounding stupid, and being unable to craft a 90,000 word novel into a few sentences. 

But never fear! I am here! (*hands myself cookies for rhyming like a pro) I've come up with a list of VERY VERY VERY serious answer to that question. (sarcasm, much?)

Oops. Good luck taking this advice to heart. Here we go.

(Also, before I start... my midnight mind was being, well, a tired midnight mind, and decided to use "failproof" in the image instead of "foolproof." What even. Why, Katie. Failproof isn't even a word. AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE A WRITER?)

Ahem. Anyways. Onto the post after you all laugh at my embarrassing typo.



what's your book about?
*starts screaming*

what's your book about?
*motions to ear* *mouths* "Can't... hear you."

what's your book about?
"I'll give you chocolate in return for me not answering."

what's your book about?
"I think you have confused me with my twin. I don't write. Heh. Definitely not."

what's your book about?
"Guess."

what's your book about?
...

what's your book about?
*mutter something about the weather*

what's your book about?
"You just asked about pizza, right? Oh, you didn't? Can we talk about pizza instead?"

what's your book about? 
"What do you want my book to be about?"

what's your book about?
"You don't want to know."

what's your book about?
*distant sobbing*

what's your book about?
I DON'T KNOW. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW??!

what's your book about?
"Access to this question denied."

what's your book about?
*hands them this post*

what's your book about?
"I know my main character's name. That good enough?"

what's your book about?
"You tell me."

what's your book about?
"Death. Blood. Insanity. Feels."
^ feel like that could relate to most novels.

what's your book about?
"It's a secret."

what's your book about?
"It's a fantasy story."
or sci-fi, contemporary, etc. easy way out.
(and this is probably the most helpful response actually xD)

what's your book about?
"System failure. In my brain. Help."

what's your book about?
*whips out weapon* "Would you like to rephrase that?"
actually, don't do this one. the results may not be particularly positive.


And, when all else fails, you could answer like this:

what's your book about?
[insert perfectly crafted one sentence pitch]
But. I mean. Who even does that, right? Right? *nervous laughter*

// katie grace

Am I the only one that freezes up when someone asks me what my book is about? 
What do you usually say in response to this question -- if you're able to force out anything at all? ;)
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60 comments :

  1. HAHAHAHA THIS IS WONDERFUL AND SO ACCURATE. I really dislike bringing up my writing so I don't get asked that question a lot, but when people do figure it out the questions are in this order: 'Like a REAL book?' (Which is very easy to say a yes to, and explain that I do write 'real' books and not just short stories), then the dreaded, 'So what's it about?' to this I cringe and say something about it's genre and change the topic immediately.

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    1. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT RELATE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

      Ugh, yesss. I try not to bring up my writing in the first place, because, no thank you, but somehow word has gotten around since then. Weird how that works. :P

      I do the same thing. xD

      Delete
  2. *dies of laughter* OH MY. I TOTALLY MUST REMEMBER THIS NEXT TIME! xD I am hopeless with answering that question. Just...ummm, I don't really know? Like...I can tell you the exact wording of half a dozen scenes but...what IS it about anyway? :D

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    1. And d'you know what? Someone asked me that today. I almost started laughing my head off because all I could think of was this. xD

      Delete
    2. RIGHT?! Gahhh, I wish it wasn't so hard. *sobs*

      o.o I am dying. That is the best thing ever. Were you able to answer them? :P

      Delete
    3. Eventually I spluttered something about it being a dystopian robin hood retelling. But then they didn't actually know what a dystopian book was and so my family had to explain while I sat there trying not to laugh.

      It was hilariously awkward. xD

      Delete
  3. BWAAAAAHAHAHA.

    The genera thing is a really sly way out! It has worked many times, before I knew how to summarize my story. And it kind of distracts them from the fact that ... they still have no idea what your book is about after you give the genera XP

    I also like to say, "It's about a girl/boy ... who does things."

    Story summarized.

    (But also, getting a conversational pitch down is soooo so helpful. I'd highly recommend it!) (Conversational pitch being not a formal pitch. I've given my pitch before and it was just really awkward to say. So a conversational pitch works much better for face to face, and all you have to do is change the wording a bit to be more casual!)

    #endofrant

    Brilliant post, sissy! <3

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    1. Yuuus I've been working on a short pitch of my own that I can say when people ask . With it sounding natural and not 100% rehearsed. xD

      Thank youuu! <3

      Delete
  4. xD. This post is extremely accurate.

    "Access to this question denied." << I NEED TO USE THAT ONE.

    "It's a fantasy story." "Um... it's a secret." << I USE THOSE MORE THAN I SHOULD.

    'Tis funny how lots of writers don't want to tell others about what they're writing... but I understand completely. xD

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    1. SOMEDAY I SHALL OVERCOME THE FEAR ABOUT TALKING ABOUT MY WRITING...
      ... but today is not that day. xD

      Delete
  5. I NEED THIS POST IN MY LIFE THANK YOU KATIE

    "Death, Blood, Insanity, Feels" I could totally use that. My brain shuts down if someone asks me what my book is about and I sit there frozen like a dork before (sometimes) managing to mumble a few random things about it.

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    1. YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, HANNAH.

      Hehe, I figured it would be able to relate to a few writers out there. :P

      Delete
  6. LOL THIS IS HILARIOUS! *access to this question denied* *hands them this post* *dies of laughter* xD

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  7. I HATE getting asked that question!! These are the best answers EVER. I might actually use them. Ok, I'll definitely use them. I'll answer something crazy and run away while they are still stunned. "Death. Blood. Insanity. Feels. Kbye!" :D Haha I love this post so much! xD

    ~Megan<333
    megans-journals.blogspot.com

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    1. "kbye!" I love that part. Just run away and hide. :P

      Delete
  8. what's your book about?
    "Access to this question denied." << can I steal this? Like, for real.

    I KNOW. IT'S SO HARD. But when you mumble a reply they think you aren't really serious. Maybe I should just print some business cards out with a book blurb on it. Then, whenever anyone asks you you can just stuff it in their face and walk away. xD

    ReplyDelete
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    1. dude steal everything I'm totally cool with it. xD

      OOH I like that idea. I just ordered business cards actually... dangit, just missed my opportunity. Though I feel like that would be awkward in person. xD

      Delete
  9. relatable. lol. I usually say "ha I would tell you if I knew."

    but actually I have a weak summary of my story. it doesnt make it sound interesting and it cuts out 90% of the actual plot but hey! it works for most people.

    but great post :) hilarious

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    1. I think honestly people don't care very much and just want to cause conversation. Which is why I would just looooove them to ask how writing is going, or what genre I'm writing, or anything else rather then what my story is about. -.^

      Delete
  10. YAY I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!! Hahaha I love these so much!

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    1. YUS THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS PREDICAMENT WITH YOU.
      Thank you, Abby! :D

      Delete
  11. The dreaded question, I never know what to say!
    Loved your answers!

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  12. Yes!! I alwys freeze when people ask me!!!!! I'm always like "um...well...let's see...um...oh i have an idea when I'm done i will send it to you!!"

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    1. Heh, I love how you just offer to send it to them. I would never be able to do that. o.o

      Delete
  13. I've gotten a little better over time at summarizing my stories, but it's still only tolerable. I think my biggest problem is less the second reason you mentioned (not knowing how to summarize it) and more the first (fear of sounding stupid). It's hard to place any part of your baby in front of people who might not appreciate it. Still, a mumbled, half-hearted description is unlikely to gain any fans. So, I try. I want to be more intentional about crafting descriptions, actually.

    As for what I do, I definitely rely on genre at first. But then I try to mention at least something about my main character(s) and their goals. Doesn't always work. :D

    This post actually has inspired me to right a more serious version of it, perhaps. Thanks, Katie! :)

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    1. Yeaah, sigh. And since I'm SO serious about being a writer and writing and my stories, I just don't want them to sound stupid to other people. :P

      That makes sense! I like that idea.
      Ooh, you should. :D Of Raider's Rise?

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    3. Exactly!

      Well, that was the original plan. But I'm actually re-plotting Raiders' Rise at the moment, possibly with drastic changes. So I don't know whether I'll use it as my example or my Beauty and the Beast retelling. Actually, I might use both - one as an example of a more complete project and one as an example of a more complicated one. We'll see. :D

      Delete
  14. HAHAHAHAHA. *sighs*
    Whenever someone asks me that question, I just go "Well, it's about this girl named (insert character's name here) and she does (insert main adventure of story here) because something happened".

    Other wise I just avoid the question.

    *laughs nervously* I'm better at writing my novel than telling about it. XD

    WHY DID QUESTIONS HAVE TO BE INVENTED?! IT JUST MAKES MY LIFE HEARDER! *dies dramatically*

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    1. That's a pretty clear understanding of the story, so good for you! xD

      RIGHT? CAN WE JUST ERASE THIS QUESTION FROM EXISTENCE AND EVERYONE'S MINDS? I WOULD BE FOREVER HAPPY AND GRATEFUL. GAH.

      Delete
  15. Oh, this post sums up me when my friends ask about my novel, Broken Pieces....
    I usually say: Uh, well, it's about a foster kid named Connor. And, you, know, it's an unfinished novel, kay?

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    1. That works. xD Better than what I'm able to say for most of the time. :P

      Delete
  16. Me answering that question is so confusing people don't ask me the question again. Another trick is just to explain to them the scene you're currently writing. Like, I'll go something like this: "So right now she's running away because she got into a fight with her husband about something that happened seven chapters before and then her horse starts talking and then her best friend dies and..." "...Oh wow!" *runs away with a plastered smile*

    Yeah, I'm the queen at not answering questions :) ;D

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    1. Ooh, that's a neat idea as well. I would be worried about spoiling something or making it sound completely ridiculous. xD

      Delete
  17. YESSSH. I DREAD, and I mean dreeeead, the "What are you writing?" question. UGH. It's the worst!

    "I DON'T KNOW. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW??!" <--That one! That's literally me! Even when my books are FINISHED I don't know what they're about. I FAIL. Although right now it's not /too/ hard, because I can just say I'm working on a Beauty and the Beast retelling. BUT STILL. I don't want to talk about it! *hides in hole with laptop and never comes out*

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    1. Oooh, yus. I can't wait until I write my fairytale retelling, since it's not *that* hard to explain. xD

      Delete
  18. I HATE THAT QUESTION SO FLIPPING MUCH. UGH.

    I've never had a good answer to it. The one time I explained my novel to my friend, I'm pretty sure she thought I was crazy. I probably am.

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    1. SAMEEE.

      "she though I was crazy. I probably am" <-- what goes through every writer's head ever. xD

      Delete
  19. Oh, I love this post! I've used the genre thing so many times! It's a lifesaver. If I don't think someone will be familiar with steampunk, I'll just say, "it's just some fiction." Works pretty well for me!

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    1. Oooooh, steampunk? o.O I. love. steampunk. See? You've hardly said anything about the book, and I'm already intrigued. xD

      Delete
  20. Access to this question denied! I am so going to use that one if you don't mind. My sister and I got asked that question today. and we had to spend ages explaining what dystopian meant for her. And for me well after I said a fantasy story in a completely different world called Elsewhere what I got was.. "wow you really have to have a certain kind of brain/imagination to be able to write that stuff don't you." And I had nothing to say to that .....

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    1. You should totally use that one. xD

      Well, that's a nice compliment. :P I think... that's a good thing to hear after telling about your story? Let's just say it is. :P

      Delete
  21. My problem is that sometime s I'm actually slightly afraid to sat what it's about. I give themes, not what the story is. Because the person isn't anywhere in my target audience. I had an answer that I liked once: 'It's about a girl who thinks she's in a fairytale, but things don't turn out the way she expected. It's about the dangers of not being able to tell reality from fiction.'
    Except that's not true anymore. And I'm less comfortable using my new one on just anyone.

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    1. ooh, I like that little blurb. I'm sad it can't be used anymore. Is that because the story changed, or are you working on a new story?

      Delete
  22. YES! I found someone who feels my pain. I never know what to say to that question but thankfully now I have a few answer up my sleeve. :D I usually answer with "It's fantasy book about magic." or "It has princess. Magic. Evil guy. It's pretty awesome." And then I beg that person to write it for me. :D :D

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    1. Ooooh, yas. Magic. Evil guy. Awesomeness. Ha, I love it. xD

      Delete
  23. Ahaha.... these are too funny! I love this.

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  24. Ugh, I don't like answering this question. XD A lot of times it's well-meaning and everything, but sometimes I can tell they're asking it to gauge how smart I am, and they're just waiting for me to give a stupid explanation about a stupid story so they can be content in believing I'm stupid. And I don't like sharing my uncompleted ideas with other people, for multiple reasons. They're mine and I don't have to share them. But yeah, it might not go over well to whip out a weapon and demand a rephrase, although it can be tempting, tbh. Usually I just say what genre it is and then mention one of the themes, like, "It's a fantasy about revenge." Another thing you could say is, "It's a murder mystery. This person gets murdered for being too nosy, and this detective needs to figure out who did it. Spoilers: It was me."

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  25. *gasp* Thank you! I love this post! *frantically shares it with all writing friends* XD

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  26. I absolutely love the layout of your blog, it's so professional! I love this post, it reminds me of whenever my teachers ask me what happened in the book and I have no clue! I've just uploaded a new post, it'd mean a lot if you could check it out! Much love Holly xx

    https://corkylilthing.blogspot.co.uk

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  27. I just started my own YouTube channel Flower Arts and click the picture with the converse shoes and you will find me!!!

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  28. BTW I nominated you for the Liebster Award!! If you're interested, check it out on my blog: http://quillsandcurtsies.blogspot.com/

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  30. Oh yes, I totally relate! I used to go on a rant of all the things that happen in the book for like half an hour, but then I started to be able to compact it into something sort of like this- (character) goes on an adventure and there's an epic villain who wants to stop them. XD LOL! But usually I just say what genre it is!;)
    -Emma-

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