April 13, 2009

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Writing Instruction | Kudos

The Synopsis: Short & Sweet

You've just completed the Great American Novel. You've done everything you've been told to do. You've created compelling characters and plopped them right smack in the middle of emotional/physical conflict. You've engaged the reader with your perfectly executed plot and subplots. You've edited and proofed and allowed your baby to be critiqued by your writer's group. 

Now it's time to share the pictures and see if anyone wants to hold her. So you register for a writer's conference where editors, agents, critiquers, and contest judges may ask for a synopsis.

A what?

Although you'll find varying guidelines depending on the organization, here's a quick overview of what most people look for in a synopsis:

1.    The synopsis is a summary of the plot of your book that gives the reader a chance to see if it warrants a closer look.

2.    It's often limited to 1-3 pages, but in some cases, the page limit is much higher. Be sure to follow the guidelines of the organization you're submitting to.

3.    It's usually single-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.

4.    Print it in black ink, on white paper, using a standard font (Times New Roman is most often used).

5.    It is written in present tense, third person.

6.    The synopsis must tell the ending of the story, even if the book is a mystery, thriller, or suspense novel. This is not the time to leave the editor/agent/judge/critiquer hanging and hope he or she will beg you to tell the ending. I've actually read a synopsis where the writer said something like, "I can't give away the ending because it's so unusual, but I'll just tell you, it's a real twist!" Hmmm. Not a good idea.  

7.    Of course, you can't cover all the points of the book, but you'll want to include the major plots points that move the story along to a satisfactory ending.

8.    Give enough detail that the reader is engaged, but--with a limit of 2-3 pages--you'll have to carefully decide what earns a place in the synopsis.  

So, there you have it--a quick overview of the synopsis. If you'd like more in-depth information, bestselling novelist, Randy Ingermanson, has a great thread about it at his Advanced Fiction Writing Blog. You can start the thread here.

The section about sequencing scenes changed the way I looked at tackling a synopsis. Of course, I still won't like doing it, but at least Randy gives a formula for fitting all the pertinent details into a couple of pages. Thanks a bunch, Randy!

Computer photo compliments of FreeImages (http://www.freeimages.co.uk)

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Kudos...Kudos...Kudos...Everywhere!

Wow! What a month for kudos! Y'all have been busy--and your hard work is paying off. So everybody take a deep breath and hang on for the showcase!

1.    Edie Melson (SC) has two articles with a new online magazine, Centered Magazine. Her article, "Sending a Son to War," is currently one of the most clicked articles on the site. The article will also appear in the first printed issue in August. The other article is "Network Your Way to the Career of Your Dreams," which is also currently on the site. Edie will continue to be a contributing writer and columnist for the magazine, targeted to men 18-35. Congratulations, Edie!

2.    Caroline Eschenberg (SC) will have an article, "Cycling for Life," published in the May issue of Clubhouse Jr, a Focus on the Family publication. Talk about starting your writing career off with a bang! 

3.    Cheryl Barker's (KS) article, "No More Lone Ranger," has been accepted by The Christian Communicator. Way to go, Cheryl!

4.    Andrea Merrell (SC) has a devotional published in Christian Devotions' new book, Spirit and Heart: A Devotional Journey. Congratulations, Andrea!

5.    Barbara Parentini (NC) is also publishing with Christian Devotions. You can check out her latest entry, "Italian Feast," by going to her website, clicking on Blog, then on "Italian Feast." Great job, Barbara!

6.    Ann Wayne's (NC) first feature article appeared in the debut issue of Southern Home, a new magazine based in the Lake Norman, NC area. "Post and Beam on the Lake: Built Green to Save Green" featured a home owner who built an energy efficient home. By the way, Ann is the owner of The Cabin Cove, where we hold our annual women's writing retreat. Stay tuned for details in the next few weeks. Ladies, you won't want to miss it! The cabin is also available for ministry groups and retreats. Check out the website for more information.

7.    Jo Rae Johnson (SC) will be at Lichtenfelt Nurseries in Greenville, SC on May 2 at 9:15am. Jo Rae will lead attendees on a stroll through the nursery as she highlights some of her favorite plants and reads her story from the book, The Ultimate Gardener. And that's not all...Jo Rae will also be on local ABC affiliate News 13 in the Greenville, SC area on Tuesday, April 14, with two segments during the 6am-8am time period. She'll be discussing her story in The Ultimate Gardener and demonstrating gardening techniques. We're proud of you, Jo Rae!
8.    Lochlanina Tobey's (PA) poem, "The Finality of Rain," won second place (and $500!) in the Utmost Christian Writers Poetry Contest. You may remember, this contest has been listed several times in the Opportunities section of this blog. See--it really works! Kudos, Lochlanina!   

9.    Linda Greer (SC) has a new blog, Spiritual Heartbeats. Be sure to check it out. Linda will also be leading the Annual Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndromes Seminar on May 9, 2:30-4:30 at the downtown Spartanburg, SC library on Church Street. And to promote this event, Linda will be on the Your Carolina Morning Show with Jack Roper on April 21 at 10am. Good job, Linda!

10.    Terri Kelly (NC) also has another devotion listed with Christian Devotions. and she encourages us to sign up for the daily devotions. As you can see, many of our Christian Writer's Den members now write for this publication. A quick review of the authors shows at least seven! (Hey, what would Eddie and Cindy do without us?) ;-) Seriously, thank you, Terri and all the other writers, for putting out such quality work! Congratulations!

11.    Melony Brown ( GA) has a contract for a new educational book, Solving Word Problems for Life, Grades 6-8, due out early 2010. Melony also has a cool new website. Be sure to check it out! Keep up the good work, Melony!

And lastly, I wanted to let you know that I'll be appearing on Niteline, WGGS, Channel 16 in Greenville, SC Tuesday night April 14, from 8-10pm. It's a live interview and I'm not at all sure what we'll be talking about, but I hope you'll join me if you can. 

Whew! Wow--God is certainly blessing this group! Thank you, writers, for allowing us all to celebrate His blessings with you!

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And now, as we close our time together this week, I pray you'll be encouraged and challenged by these words of Jesus. The world is a dark, dark place. But we have the Light. Let's be sure to share it this week.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda

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4 Comments

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#1 Jean Hall — http://wwwjeanmatthewhallwords.blogspot.com

Wow! Congratulations to everybody. This is quite a month. I know you are all glowing.

And such creative PR ideas you have. I'm printing these out for future use.

Grace & Peace,
Jean Hall

#2 Cherise Bopape — http://www.cherisebopape.authorweblog.com/

What a fruitful month we've had. I, too, have an article that's been accepted for publication in the June 14 issue of The Lookout magazine.

Thanks for all of the great leads you share here on your blog.

Congrats to all!

-Cherise Bopape

#3 Vonda Skelton

Thanks for your comments, Jean and Cherise. And congratulations to you, Cherise! You're really on a roll!

What a joy to see the Lord bless this group in such concrete ways!

V

#4 Jean Davis

I am so impressed. Congratulations to all the published authors this month.

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