Theme/Premise/Pitch

I’m emulating my good friend Danita today. She likes to rehash hooks, while I have IMMENSE trouble understanding/getting- Theme/premise. The current WIP doesn’t have murder, mayhem, kidnappings, chases, or even fights (well unless we have a barroom brawl, but that isn’t in the picture at this time). It is a purely emotional book. The characters and their pasts are the catalyst of the whole story.

On the blog about pitching CJ Lyons wrote , she said to start with your theme or premise to begin writing your pitch. Okay, but I feel like I've already failed because of my denseness when it come to this particular topic.

These are the theme/premise I came up with: Learn to love again; Conquer your past. They’re kind of weak. How do I build something around that? I like the second one the best. Not so syrupy sweet, something that I can maybe use to draw in readers with a hook or high concept.

Then she says boil it all down for your high concept which should be: “one and only one unique concept--whatever it is about your story that will create an immediate emotional connection or spark interest.”

CJ says this about finding the hook: “This is the unique spin that you have put on your story. This means narrowing your search to one small part of your story. Start with your blurb, usually the hook will be apparent there. If not, keep looking.”

My blurb: A workaholic ER nurse with plans to build a camp for sexually abused children finds herself drawn to a rodeo cowboy and his art. Has she found unconditional love or will her past tear them apart?

What I came up with for high concept is: High emotions and high stakes or Can your past dictate your future?. Both tap into emotions; the first with the high stakes, which could mean anything from monetary to emotionl, the second tells you something about the past is going to come into play, and who hasn't wondered "what if I'd done this differently?".

What is the unique spin on your WIP? Can you boil it down to a high concept statement? If so, please share maybe it will flip the light bulb on for me.