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 […]
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A Marketer’s look at Synopsis
This section is based on my book, “Silent Danger: A Training Novel” that was released by WCC Press earlier this month. Susie and the My Book Therapy team do an amazing job of explaining craft and the synopsis, so if you’ve ever read their lessons and you think you don’t need this, keep reading. What I’m trying to show here is how a synopsis is about more than summarizing your story. It also gets you in the marketing mindset and helps you start to think of unique angles you can take…………. Excerpted for “Silent Danger” Published by Writing Career Coach Press. Permission for one-time use granted. Synopsis: In a synopsis you have typically between 1-3 pages to do a bunch of things. You have to: • Set up the scene […]
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Quick Skills: Ways to get your Story Summary onto the page
I know that people panic about writing a synopsis. The fact is, there are many different synopsis styles and deliveries. There is no one right way – but there are few principles. Let’s start with Delivery: You can write the synopsis a couple different ways. First, you can tell it is if you are the narrator – telling yourself the story. e.g. This story is about Maggie, a former Red Cross nurse who lives in World War 2 New York City. More than anything she wants to get over the grief of losing her fiancé during the attack on Pearl Harbor, but her life seemed to stop the day she got the news and she doesn’t know how to start it again. Until, one day, she runs – literally – […]
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Conversations: Writing the Synopsis
“I’m stuck.” Sally said as I hung my purse on the chair and shucked off my jacket. Outside, the last remnants of a late-season snow clung to the ground. I’d had to dig out my Uggs for a trip to town for our weekly chat. “Good,” I said. “What do you mean, good? I thought you were rooting for me!” “I am. But let me guess – you’re in chapter six or seven and the thrill of the first act has worn off, and now you’re slogging through the middle, wondering what to do next.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “How do you know that?” “I’ve written thirty-five books. I know what happens around chapter seven.” I smiled at her and sipped my coffee. A raspberry white chocolate indulgence. […]
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