Note: My A-Z theme is linkage. Every day (at 7:00 a.m. EST), I'm going to list three helpful industry links per letter, and then I'll ask for suggestions in the comments—that way, we can pool our resources! :)
S is for Synopses:
Susan Dennard's "How to Write a 1-Page Synopsis" - A good point-by-point guide- Writer's Digest: "Synopsis Writing" - A listing of synopsis examples
Adrian V. Diglio "How to Write a Synopsis for Your Novel" - Good tips!
Update, ten years later: Blogger flagged a link in this one, so I removed the hyperlinks. I assume, of the three, Writer's Digest is the most likely to have stood the test of time.
Have you ever written a synopsis? *mandatory hiss* Do you know of any helpful articles?
36 comments:
I have written synopses for two works. Have I mastered the synopsis?
No.
Synopsis. That's an evil word. :P
I love Susan's system. It made it so much easier for me when I did mine. In fact, it suited our iWriteNetwork platform for hands on training that I've used it twice (with Susan's permission) in real life classes.
The dreaded synopsis. Let's all protest them and vote to get rid of them all together. Who's with me? :)
I can use all the help I can get!
And thanks for voting for my book. You rock!
Great links--writing a synopsis is definitely a skill!
Writing the synopsis is a challenge, no doubt. I take forever to do one. All help is appreciated.
Just wanted to let you know that I literally just bought Strength a moment ago. Oh yes, I'm officially the owner of an e-copy of your book for my kindle. *Cheers*. And according to your status your almost finished with the sequel, good for you. Best of luck with all the editing and revisions to follow.
I like writing the synopsis. Writing Digest is an excellent resource. Thank you.
I have 3 different synopses for my first Russian historical novel—the short one (relatively speaking), a mid-length one, and the really long one, listing all of the characters and storylines. I also have several different synopses for my even-longer contemporary historical Bildungsroman. Haven't written a synopsis in awhile, but I know I had help from some writing books whose names I can't remember.
UUUUGGGHHHHHH! I hate writing synopses! I do have a good formula, but I could always use more help. Thanks, Carrie!!
And will we ever? Probably not. ;)
I agree! *shudder*
That's so kind of her to let you use it in classes! :)
Hear, hear! :)
Anytime, Captain! :)
Thanks, Julie! :) And you betcha.
Oh these are NOT fun. Haha. Nice job on this post Carrie!
I haven't had to do this....yet...but it's nice to know there are some resources out there for when I get to that stage. :)
urgh.. I'm dreading writing the synopsis of my current WIP. Two continents and three to six main characters... At least there's no time travel!
More good stuff! :D
Bookmarking....
Same here! I think I tortured my critique partners with twenty versions before I was satisfied...
That makes me so happy, Sheena-kay! :D Thank you! I really appreciate it.
Sounds like you've had a lot of practice! The short synopses are never fun... *shudder*
Same here! ;) No problem, Nancy.
Not at all. ;) Thanks, Kelley!
Just you wait, Mark. It's one of those "fun" parts. ;)
Way to look at the positive side, David! ;)
Thanks, Melissa! :D
Synopses are tough, but these are great resources to get started.
I so agree... HISS! I find the book easier to write than the synopsis. Thanks for sharing some resources.
Scrumptious Setting = S
I have a synopsis for each book I write and I always thought they were dumb bc no one ever asked for one. Not any agents I queried, not any editors who my agent submitted to. But guess what, my publicist now wants to see it!
I love both my editors equally because both wrote the synopsis for both my books! Yay. Did I mention I hate writing them?
Whew! It's a good thing you do it, then. ;)
Whoa! Talk about lucky. Can we borrow them? :D
Tough, indeed! Thanks, Connie. :)
Same here! I'd rather write a book any day. :) No problem, Tia!
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