The Power Of Language And My Crazy Agent, Becks
I’d like to introduce you to someone I’ve had the honor of knowing now for more than a decade. She’s a trip, with a personality that dominates, and this short story will clue you in as to why.
And hey, if you like hearing about her and the crazy she brings to the table, let me know in a comment after you read. If this post generates the hearts and some intriguing conversation, who knows, maybe she’ll be a regular on these pages!
My phone rings a few hours after an advanced training call ended yesterday.
A really amazing event on sales and language patterns that has the power to change how I speak to potential clients. I was still wrapping my brain around the information, looking at my scribbled notes in front of me and not really focused as I distractedly answered. “Hello, this is Jill.”
It’s an agent I freelance writing projects with, a real get-to-the-point kinda gal.
“Hey Jill, I have a client, Hollywood type. Wants a book written ASAP. We need to push it to align with the scheduled release of a film. Can I count on you to start this project immediately?”
Ouch, right to my giving heart.
I closed my notebook and blinked a few times. Jill 1.0 would have fallen all over herself to say yes -- consequences to me be damned.
Jill 2.0 took a deep breath and literally planted both feet on the ground.
“Hi Becks, good to hear from you. How’s Sali?”
“Hi-hi. She’s fifteen.”
“Ahh, I remember that age.”
We both laugh.
Then she’s back to business, and the talk of family is done. “So can I count on you?”
Not waiting on my answer she rattles on, “We can set a call for Sunday with the actor. He’s in Europe now but I know you’re accommodating with whatever time is best for the client.”
Uh, wow. I am? Internal alarm bells were going off. No, Jill 1.0 was.
“Actually, Becks, my schedule’s full until September first.”
“Wait. What?”
“Yep, I’m currently working on another project, plus my own release, then taking 10 days end of month with the Fab Frenchman.”
“You’re sh*tting me.”
God, I love this crazy broad. She gives me so much character insight and dialogue for my fiction work.
I find I can laugh. “Nope, not kidding.”
“Push the other book. Push your vacation. You’re a writer. Your life is a vacation. This is more important. This client is BIG TIME.”
Old me would have been so offended by every word she spoke and started to fume and get seriously defensive.
I laughed. Well, it actually came out more as a snort. You know, the embarrassing kind!
And then the language patterns from that advanced training call kicked in like magic.
“So Becks, what I think I hear you saying is that my other client, also a book contract with a deadline, as you know, isn’t important.”
I totally ignored her references to me, vacation and hubby time.
I will not take offense.
I will not take offense.
I will not ta—
“Well, no, she’s important, too. Damn it all. Can’t you just do them both? Put off your own work for now.”
I actually smile. Ahh, no offense taken. Peace intact. What a beautiful way to be.
“What I think I hear you saying is that it would be okay for me to rush the work of my current client and also rush through my writing with this new potential-”
“Who are you?”
“Excuse me?”
“You usually just say yes!”
“Becks, what I think you’d like me to do is say yes, stress and rush through both of these - I believe you called important projects - and not give 100% ...are you not?”
Silence.
That’s a first. I continue...”Or, what I think you’d truly appreciate from me is that I finish my current project - to my very best ability, which is why I get paid what I do - and then start this new project, fresh and ready...are you not?”
There is the gust of a deep sigh, then Beck’s all but growls out. “Damn it, we can negotiate for more money.”
Uh, I haven't even been offered a contact nor quoted a price yet! Interesting.
“So...what I think I hear you saying is that it’s also time for me to increase my rates...!”
“Hell. We’ll talk about that later!”
“And what I also think I hear you saying is-
Becks cuts in, “-Oh, stop it! You win. You’re right. No rushing. Just write, damn it.”
I laugh. And do a Breakfast Club fist-in-the-air move.
“I don’t like you living on that island. You aren’t so accommodating.”
“Ha! Well, you living in LA makes you mean.”
“I’m a New Yorker. We’re supposed to be mean.”
“But all that LA-chill-vibe hasn’t worn off on you, yet. Do you at least have a sun-kissed glow?”
“Oh, shut up. Don’t book out for September. You’re going to love this guy. He’s bat-sh*t-crazy and funny. Wait... Let’s book a call with him before your vacation?”
“Hmm, Becks, what I hear you saying is you don’t want me to be refreshed and fully committed to this new-“
“F--K! I hate you.”
I laugh. To know Becks is to love Becks.
“September first. Book it. Even if it’s a f-cking Sunday!”
I smile. “Deal. And Becks, get ready to negotiate a new payment structure-”
“Oh, come on!”
“-and new royalties deal! Say hi to Sali for me. Bye, Becks!”
I ended the call, tossed my mobile on the sofa and happy-booty-dance for the next 30 minutes around my cottage.
And that’s the power of immediate implementation of what was learned.
Not my norm but now, my now, after that win, definitely my new way of being.
Want to hear more living-in-the-moment writing tales like this one? Leave me a comment below and tell me so.
And if you’re interested in learning more about that advanced training let me know as it seriously rocks.
And you know me! I’m all about the words, baby!
