Posts
See that face?
Pretty sure that's what mine looked like during the frustrating stages of writing the dreaded synopsis for my first novel. Okay, so I'm not quite as young as she is, but still.
I can't tell you how many times I'd step away from the keyboard, certain I'd created the perfect summery of the important events in just the right amount of words only to come back and find that I'd actually made a total mess of things.
In the end, I finally came out with something I was happy with, but not before a massive loss of blood, sweat and tears. Well, maybe not the blood, but if I could have made that synopsis bleed...
So is there a better way to do it?
Some say writing the synopsis before writing the book is best. Joanne Rock suggests we do just that in her article, Honing Your Synopsis Skills. (Very helpful article, by the way.)
I didn't have much of an outline when I started my first novel, but when the idea for my second came along (middle of the night, of course!), I got up and wrote the entire synopsis in under ten minutes. Yes, please. Let's do it that way every time. Really. For the love.
What's your experience with the whole synopsis thing? Love it or hate it, we can't avoid it, no matter how many tears we shed.
OMGosh, I'm with ya. I hate writing the synopsis and this may sound really bad, but I avoid sending query's to agents who also require a synopsis because I dislike them so much. (I know eventually I'm going to have to get over that though)
ReplyDelete:)
Kimberly, LOL! I did that in the beginning too! (Avoid agents wanting the synopsis.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a synopsis for my first couple novels-but after reading a great book on screenwriting-Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, I am doing a quick "what's it about" synopsis everytime before I even start writing.
ReplyDeleteI don't do screenwriting myself but the story structuring is the same=highly recomended.
I've not written a synopsis yet. I haven't gotten that far in the process. But before I start writing a new project, I do write a flash fiction piece, which is basically a lengthy synopsis, in my mind anyways. I'm dreading the day when I have to take that and cut it down to a page or two. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kimberly!! I've written a synopsis, yep. A few of them in fact. It's difficult not to make them totally BORING. ;o) Just try to make them interesting, a bit of voice to them, as you explain what happens!
ReplyDeleteI've started one, but didn't get very far. It was too hard and tedious. Yes, I avoid things that are hard. Bad habit. But I have heard the same about writing a synopsis and a query letter before you even start in order to find out what your plot really is and the holes that are bound to be there.
ReplyDeleteI hate them. When I was querying, I also avoided the agents who asked for them. Is that so stupid! lol But, I finally had to send a few.
ReplyDeleteThey are so hard to write. Seriously. Hate, hate, hate them!
Synopses are NOT fun. Trying to sum up an entire novel in a page or two . . . yikes.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I have that same look when I'm working on a synopsis--LOL. I like to finish the manuscript, then write the query, and then I add to the query to create my synopsis, making sure to reveal the ending. It works for me. Good luck! :D
ReplyDeleteOy. Synopses writing. Tough little things. One time I found that in order to make the synopsis work, I had to alter my actual novel. Still need to get on that, but I have a much better time writing them after the first draft since I know how the story unfolds.
ReplyDeleteI gave you a shout-out on my blog! :)
It took me eight months (yes, really. Pathetic, I know) and about ten drafts to write a synopsis I actually liked. They are evil, evil things.
ReplyDeleteOoh. Synopses are the devil. I think drafting my synopsis took longer than writing the book!
ReplyDeleteOkay - I haven't ever written one - except maybe in school - but I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteOh...that was me for sure! Man, I hated those days!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...totally been there. Bain of my existence...bleh!
ReplyDeleteI love the pic with the title! I laughed out loud! my suggestions for a synopsis? write it right after you've finished the first draft. write the first sentence (your hook), a sentence to summarize your middle turning point, and then a final sentence that sums up your book. Write the bits in between.
ReplyDeleteI find this process takes a few revamps - normally it's a longer WC than you might want - but it's effective.
I just wrote about the dreaded query today. You have topped me, by far, with the dreaded synopsis. I hate those things! I am glad you were finally able to write one you're happy with. I am still waiting for some magical spell to change mine...and waiting...and waiting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
Taking my picture before I have my first cup is not only unfair, it's cruel, Cruel! But yeah, that's my synopsis face too, tenth draft.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, all!
ReplyDeleteI'm a total pantser, so writing a synopsis before finishing at least a draft is a pain for me. Lots easier once I know exactly what's going on in the story.
ReplyDelete^_^
Oh I hate writing synopses! Actually, I put mine off until I finally received a full manuscript request from an agent--bad, bad idea. It took me an entire weekend, but I managed to scribble (and that is pretty much what it amounted to) one out. I've never heard about writing one first. I may try that. Great post! :-)
ReplyDelete