Want to know why some writers can describe their book in thirty seconds and have people begging to read it, while others ramble for five minutes and still leave listeners confused? It’s not just about having a great story (though that’s crucial!)—it’s about the power of “what if.” Today, I’m going to show you how mastering the “what if” elevator pitch can transform your book from “sounds interesting” to “I MUST read that!” Let’s dive into the magic of impossible questions!

Understanding “What If” Magic

Hooking readers isn’t just about summarizing your plot—it’s about presenting an irresistible dilemma that demands resolution. Here’s why “what if” pitches work:

1. Instant Intrigue: The phrase “what if” automatically signals your brain that something fascinating is coming. It’s like a curiosity switch that people can’t turn off.
2. Emotional Stakes: Great “what if” pitches present impossible choices that make people’s hearts race. They force readers to ask themselves what they would do.
3. Universal Connection: The best “what if” scenarios tap into fears, desires, or moral dilemmas everyone can relate to, even if the specific situation is unique.

The Elevator Pitch Equation

Think of your “what if” pitch as the ultimate hook. In one sentence, you’re presenting a scenario so compelling that people literally cannot walk away without knowing how it resolves. But here’s the real magic—you’re not telling them what happens; you’re making them desperate to find out.

“What If” Pitches That Stop People in Their Tracks:

• “What if you fell in love with a man whose wife was killed by someone you helped set free?” → Instant moral dilemma  (Take a Chance on Me)
• “What if the only woman you ever loved was being hunted in the Alaskan wilderness, and you were the only one who could save her?” → Life-or-death urgency (Sunrise) 
• “What if protecting the woman you love meant destroying everything your family built?” → Impossible choice (Knox)

Here’s the secret: It’s not about being clever—it’s about finding the one question your story answers that keeps people awake at night.

Your “What If” Formula:

1. Identify the impossible choice: What’s the core dilemma that drives your entire story?
2. Find the personal stakes: What does your protagonist stand to lose?
3. Make it relatable: What universal fear or desire does this tap into?
4. Keep it to one sentence: If you can’t say it in one breath, it’s too long

Ways to Craft Your Perfect “What If”:

• Look for the moment in your story where your character faces their worst nightmare
• Identify what your protagonist wants most versus what they fear most
• Find the choice that has no good answer
• Test it on friends—do their eyebrows go up with interest?
• Practice until you can deliver it conversationally in under ten seconds

The One Thing Challenge

This week:

1. Write down three different “what if” scenarios from your book
2. Test them on three different people:
   • Do they immediately ask “What happens?”
   • Can they repeat the scenario back to you?
   • Do they look genuinely intrigued?
3. Refine until you get that “wow” reaction
4. Practice your delivery until it flows naturally

Pro Tip: Your “what if” pitch should make people uncomfortable in the best way possible. If it presents a choice they hope they never have to make, you’ve probably nailed it!

Remember: Every bestselling book can be boiled down to one irresistible “what if.” Your job isn’t to explain your entire plot—it’s to find that one question that makes people say “I would totally read that book!” When you can make someone need to know the answer in ten seconds or less, you’ve struck publishing gold.

You’ve got this! Go Write Something Brilliant!