I have talked to a number of people want to enter the Frasier contest, but are daunted by the “500 word synopsis.” So…I thought I’d try and help. First, you’re among friends at My Book Therapy. We understand how difficult it is to condense your epic down to 500 words. Remember, the synopsis in the Frasier contest, like the synopsis for your agent or editor is entirely to tell your editor/agent/judge that you have put together a solid story. Yes, you want to woo them with words (and a well written synopsis can be a thing of joy and beauty. Not long ago, I actually teared up reading the amazing synopsis of one of my clients!) However, first you want to prove to them that you have all the pieces of […]
Read the RestTag Archives | Proposal
Sample Chapters – Sell your Voice
Sample Chapters: Let’s talk just a moment about Sample Chapters. Every proposal package includes sample chapters for the story you are proposing. Even if you are a multi-published author, you will have to write sample chapters for new contracts with new publishers, so it is wise to learn how to write them now. There are so many elements to writing decent sample chapters, and we’ve covered most of those topics over the past year, but I felt we needed to touch on them in order to fully cover the proposal package. When new authors read “Sample Chapters” in the submission requirements of an editor or publisher’s website, sometimes they are tempted to think… “I’ll pick my BEST chapters…chapter one, chapter eight, and chapter twenty-two.” Delete that […]
Read the RestThe Synopsis – Sell your Story
Let’s talk today about the Synopsis. While your Cover letter and Marketing Plan sells the story concept, the Synopsis sells the story itself. What is the synopsis? This is your story, in a nutshell. It’s a wide angle look, highlighting the big moments, and telling in a way that engages your editor’s imagination. The last thing they want to read is a dry retelling of your story. Let’s start with an overview of a great synopsis: Step One: A good synopsis starts out with outlining the character’s goals, their fears (as a set up for the black moment) and their deepest desires – with a hint at why. You’re trying to show what they are they after, and why? What their conflict is, and what God is […]
Read the RestFirst Chapter Checklist for your Frasier Entry
Is it ready? I know that it’s hard as a writer to know if your first chapter is ready for the eyes of a reader – whether it be an editor or agent….or a judge for the Frasier. I know because I go through the same angst every time I write a book. Thankfully, I send it off to my writing partner, Rachel Hauck, and she’s brutally and sweetly honest with me. And now I’m going to help you be brutally and sweetly honest with yourself by giving you a Super Secret Frasier First Chapter Checklist. These are things that you need to make sure you’re communicating in the first chapter. 1. Have you created sympathy for your character so we love them? 2. Have you shown us your character’s […]
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