tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post4797644074675351369..comments2023-08-27T04:22:55.468-07:00Comments on The Literary Lab: Synopsis Pointers and a ReminderUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-61609821624408843022010-05-07T10:43:30.630-07:002010-05-07T10:43:30.630-07:00Say the words "synopsis" or "query&...Say the words "synopsis" or "query" and my brain freezes. I'm terrified of the darn things!<br /><br />And I took the plunge and entered your short story comp (I can tell you, because you'll be reading the stories without knowing who wrote them!)Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-63905113299624741922010-05-07T06:26:31.128-07:002010-05-07T06:26:31.128-07:00Tess: You're making it too difficult! If you e...<b>Tess:</b> You're making it too difficult! If you ever need to write one, I can help if you'd like. Not that I'm an expert, but I'd do what I can.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-44724176153654865082010-05-06T19:35:33.903-07:002010-05-06T19:35:33.903-07:00the word 'synopsis' causes itchy welts to ...the word 'synopsis' causes itchy welts to raise up on my skin.<br /><br />I don't know why I can write a whole novel but can't write a stupid synop.<br /><br />it just escapes me.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-53437629610073030092010-05-06T15:03:11.169-07:002010-05-06T15:03:11.169-07:00Yat-Yee: Yeah, it never ends. I've found that ...<b>Yat-Yee:</b> Yeah, it never ends. I've found that writing the synopsis beforehand has been a good kind of outline. <br /><br /><b>Mariah:</b> It IS hard! But I think that it's good practice and makes doing your own easier.<br /><br /><b>Genie:</b> Your welcome, and thank you. I was hoping to make it a little less intimidating, which is what the class did for me.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-23274575897393009942010-05-06T14:52:17.623-07:002010-05-06T14:52:17.623-07:00Thank you for the clear, practical advice. It make...Thank you for the clear, practical advice. It makes the whole process seem less intimidating.Jean Michelle Miernikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08971882597502010124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-78288484946663122962010-05-06T12:11:12.454-07:002010-05-06T12:11:12.454-07:00Great advice, Glam. I've done the "take ...Great advice, Glam. I've done the "take a book off your shelf, or a well-known movie, and practice writing a synopsis" thing before, and it's harder than it sounds!Mariah Irvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15181111151756005743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-29145029320412332502010-05-06T11:26:48.096-07:002010-05-06T11:26:48.096-07:00It took me so many practices to get my synopsis to...It took me so many practices to get my synopsis to a place where I finally feel settled. <br /><br />But now I am shopping my second novel. Aaargghhhh!<br /><br />I like your suggestion of writing synopses for existing books.Yat-Yeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04028075516122778317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-2862908317641316362010-05-06T11:21:11.516-07:002010-05-06T11:21:11.516-07:00Carolyn: Ah, don't be scared! I'm always h...<b>Carolyn:</b> Ah, don't be scared! I'm always here if you need help. <br /><br /><b>Crimey:</b> <b>But the query IS a synopsis</b>, so you shouldn't fear one over the other in my opinion. <br /><br /><b>Christine:</b> Yes, my husband and I do that after we've watched a movie. We'll analyze it and break it down into a synopsis. We're nerds like that.<br /><br /><b>Adventures:</b> Awesome! I made a list. How cool is that!<br /><br /><b>Anne:</b> I like Rick's advice, too, and I think it's possible to do for any work, but can be more difficult in a densely plotted novel.<br /><br /><b>Scott:</b> You might have to write one for an editor one day, so you never know! Yeah, easy as pie to break down your 80k novel into 2 pages. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-38247831458896359612010-05-06T10:34:56.028-07:002010-05-06T10:34:56.028-07:00I am happy to say that I've never written a sy...I am happy to say that I've never written a synopsis (my agent never uses them and doesn't read them), but you make it all very straightforward and after reading this I feel like I could actually do it. What's so hard about writing down what happens in my book, right?scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-66297586504715381422010-05-06T10:29:24.385-07:002010-05-06T10:29:24.385-07:00Concise, organized piece here. Excellent advice. R...Concise, organized piece here. Excellent advice. Rick Daley's advice is important, too, although it's not always easy to follow, especially for a fast-paced, densely plotted commercial novel.<br /><br />Your advice to practice synopsizing (is that a word?) favorite books and movies is great!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-88322761440587953222010-05-06T09:48:24.791-07:002010-05-06T09:48:24.791-07:00Fantastic article. Thank you for this information....Fantastic article. Thank you for this information. This will definitely go on our blog at the top of the synopsis links!Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-67992608228400695112010-05-06T09:34:47.162-07:002010-05-06T09:34:47.162-07:00Good advice! I practice my synopsis skills with mo...Good advice! I practice my synopsis skills with movies all the time - easier to write for me! ThanksChristine Fonsecahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986034666903054819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-36149114319647821592010-05-06T09:12:55.823-07:002010-05-06T09:12:55.823-07:00Great advice. I fear the query more than the synop...Great advice. I fear the query more than the synopsis, don't know why. :)About Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10011023963327391019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-8722188843380576362010-05-06T08:46:58.606-07:002010-05-06T08:46:58.606-07:00I'm not quit there yet, but I will say, the sy...I'm not quit there yet, but I will say, the synop scares me! Thanks for the advice! =)Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-88958303298133335312010-05-06T08:36:12.295-07:002010-05-06T08:36:12.295-07:00Amanda: It's really not as hard as it seems. N...<b>Amanda:</b> It's really not as hard as it seems. Nephele stressed that over and over - and that the more we fret over it the harder it's going to be. So good luck! Just keep it simple in you mind.<br /><br /><b>Rick:</b> I agree with that all the way. <br /><br /><b>Anne:</b> I've done that with my novella, and it helped a lot!<br /><br /><b>Chuck:</b> I know! What's up with all the writing? Perhaps you should try writing a synopsis for your WIP now. You might be amazed where that gets you.<br /><br /><b>L.T.:</b> They shouldn't be a thorn, but we turn them into one, sadly. I think the more a writer just sits down to write it (even before they write the book, and then adapt the synopsis to the work as it changes), the better.<br /><br /><b>Davin:</b> Thanks, I agree with that. Although I've heard it said - and I've said it myself - that writing the synopsis can be as difficult as writing the novel, that's really not true. In my opinion, it is much less complex and involved. If it turns out to be as complex, I'd say the writer is doing something wrong and making things way too difficult.<br /><br />I also agree that the sooner you get one written, the better. I wish I had done that before it came time for me to need one...Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-61884960203549498032010-05-06T08:32:39.268-07:002010-05-06T08:32:39.268-07:00Some good tips here, Michelle. I'd just also e...Some good tips here, Michelle. I'd just also emphasize that if you are a writer who is intimidated by the idea of writing a synopsis, you should just force yourself to start. It does get easier, and the sooner you start, the less stress you will feel when it comes time to actually use it.Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-35608083152008283272010-05-06T08:23:11.448-07:002010-05-06T08:23:11.448-07:00Synopses are a thorn in every writer's side, b...Synopses are a thorn in every writer's side, but I agree, they are a necessary evil. <br /><br />Here's hoping I got it right, or even close, for that matter.L. T. Hosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448176940211118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-89577315225658439312010-05-06T08:20:48.282-07:002010-05-06T08:20:48.282-07:00Ya know, the life of an author would be great if i...Ya know, the life of an author would be great if it wasn't for all the #*$&%@ writing involved. Queries, synopses, bios and of course the novel/short story/flash fiction itself. Sheesh!<br /><br />Thanks for the info. I'll come back to this in the future--assuming I ever finish my WIP.Chuck H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07266126276487521854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-61680235770790996612010-05-06T08:05:33.829-07:002010-05-06T08:05:33.829-07:00I always try to write a chapter summary as I'm...I always try to write a chapter summary as I'm writing the book. That way when I write the synopsis, it's right there and I don't have to keep looking for things.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-43983918782454455752010-05-06T07:08:41.382-07:002010-05-06T07:08:41.382-07:00Awesome advice. I would add:
Don't hold back...Awesome advice. I would add:<br /><br />Don't hold back. If you have a twist, or any form of surprise, make sure it's included. You can leave out some little details, but every major aspect of the work should be included.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-54752578436584431982010-05-06T06:39:29.742-07:002010-05-06T06:39:29.742-07:00This is great, Glam. I hear so many people groan a...This is great, Glam. I hear so many people groan about synopsis simply because they're unsure of what they're doing. I haven't gotten to my synopsis yet, I'm still first drafting, but I'll probably come back to this post if I have any problems with it. Thanks for the advice! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12294516011395206412noreply@blogger.com