Sep
Emily vs The Synopsis
(Round One)
Emily stares at the blank page in front of her; the blank page stares back.
Emily scowls at the blank page; the blank page doesn’t react.
Emily punches a few keys, words appear on the page. She looks at them and immediately hits Delete. The words disappear and the page is once again… blank.
Emily breaks down in tears and runs screaming from the blank page. The blank page is victorious.
Score: Synopsis 1 / Emily 0
Some people have problems with the synopsis. Some people don’t. Personally, I’m terrified of it. The thought of squeezing my story into a few pages, and making sure that it comes across as interesting enough for someone to want to read it, to know that it shows the conflict and the growing emotions of the hero and heroine. It’s daunting…
Then it probably doesn’t help that I’m in one of the phases that go ‘OMG, I can’t do this? What am I thinking? I can’t write! Why would anyone want to read anything I’ve jotted down? There’s no story! The h/h are boring! The writing sucks….’ yadda yadda yadda… I’m sure you all know how that one goes…
But at the same time, if I don’t conquer this synopsis, then I can never sell (assuming I overcome the problems in the above paragraph), so I have to do this. Yes, writing the story is much more fun. Heck, even plotting the story is much more fun. But the synopsis is a very important part if you ever want to get published. And I do. Very much.
So, please check back for Round Two of Emily vs The Synopsis in the future… And if you’re a writer, which part of the process do you find is the most difficult for you? For a reader… Hmm… Aren’t you glad you don’t have to deal with synopsises?
‘OMG, I can’t do this? What am I thinking? I can’t write! Why would anyone want to read anything I’ve jotted down? There’s no story! The h/h are boring! The writing sucks….’ yadda yadda yadda… I’m sure you all know how that one goes…”
I hear you, Em, I feel like that too. Haven’t tackled a synopsis yet, but have notes from JennaP’s Passionate pen and her January 06 Synopsis workshop.
But the most important thing is that you know you can definitely do this. You’ve written (to my knowledge) not one but at least two other books. Finished! more than one book. I just thought of something…I’ll email you guys off loop
Isabel
September 28th, 2006 at 1:40 pmI’m not a writer, but it sure sounds like it’s a good thing — I don’t think I could do a synopsis! LOL
September 28th, 2006 at 1:59 pmIsabel, I’m in the phase of thinking that while the books were written, they’re total utter crap *lol* Don’t worry, I’ll get out of it
I always do. Just one of those times *lol*
Lois, totally off-topic but OOOH, Phantom! My favourite! He’s my desktop image
September 28th, 2006 at 2:47 pmEmily
Oh, Emily! I’m HORRIBLE at synopsis writing. I down right SUCK at it! You know what works for me? I write a paragraph about the hero and then the heroine (half a page each) outlining their goals etc. Then, I write down how they clash with each other, how they work together and how they change because of each other. Then, using the steps outlined in Chris Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey I jot down key plot points and write the synopsis from that. I can send you an example if you like…
September 28th, 2006 at 5:25 pmKathryn, thank you so much for the encouragement. That sounds like a very good idea how you do it. I’d be very grateful if you’d send me an example. It’d be really helpful, I’m sure
(my e-mail is emily_s_morgan@yahoo.com)
Thanks once again!
Emily
September 28th, 2006 at 5:45 pmEmily–your post had me laughing. Not at the fact that you are dreading the synopsis, but your creative way of explaining it. You’re so funny! I wish I could help, but alas, I’m not there yet. I do, however, wish you all the luck in the world!
Hugs,
September 28th, 2006 at 7:22 pmAndrea
Emmie dear, try not to stress over it so much! Let let the words flow, and don’t over-analize anything. Think of it as another part of the whole creative writing process if you will.
I finished my synopsis and I was so nervous about it…till I put on some mood music, sat at my computer, took a deep breath and just wrote the darn thing!
You can do it too. Hang in there darling.
Michelle
September 28th, 2006 at 8:10 pmI’m with Andrea, I laughed at the way you put it, not because it’s just oh so funny, but because I’ve been there. I tried writing a mock synopsises to test my skills and I’m with Kathryn, I don’t have any skills when it comes to this part.
But read up on how they are done and what sells (meaning what other authors wrote that sold). I agree with Isabel that Jenna’s Passionate Pen is a great place for such help.
Best luck on your war with the blank page. I’m sure you’ll be the victor the next round.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:11 am