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Expanded outline
By ALongLook in The Write Stuff
August 13, 2008

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As I work on my book proposal I am trying something that worked for a previously published book, an expanded outline.

Instead of just the streamlined A., B., C. listing, under each major heading I am adding an excerpt from that chapter to give the agent reading it an idea of my writing style and what is included in that chapter.

Here's a sample:

I. This Isn’t Little League Any More -- Introduction to the case

My day began with a routine stop at the police department to check on the weekend’s activities.

 “Have you been over there yet?” the dispatcher asked as she flipped through the logbook for anything I might deem newsworthy.

“Over where?” I asked innocently, thinking there might have been a bad wreck. Traffic accidents are big news in small towns.

“You’re kidding, right?” She asked, chomping gum quickly and loudly between breaths.

 I must have cocked an eyebrow.

“They found three bodies in a trailer over on Walnut,” she said matter-of-factly. “That’s all I can say about it.”

 #

I couldn’t get within yards of the simple trailer, tan with brown trim. Two or three pine trees dotted the small lot. A girl’s bicycle leaned against the side of the humble dwelling. Another bike, slightly smaller with training wheels, stood nearby.

I am hoping this approach will work and the agent will want to read more, like complete sample chapters. Wish me luck.

Keep writing!

www.SonnyLong.com