What's the hardest thing you've ever had to write?
All right, come on, now. You know it's not that novel. Or the apology letter to the nerdy kid you bullied in high school. Or maybe the I-forgive-you letter from the nerdy kid to the bully. It wasn't the last chapter of your masterpiece, or even the first chapter. Those things, though they can be murder, are also fun to write. Aren't they? In a semi-masochistic way?
Think hard.
What about your query letters?
Sure. They can be brutal. Trying to squish everything into a one page brilliant piece that not only summarizes you, your writing credentials and your current book. And on top of that, you need to capture that famous agent's attention in a millisecond so that he or she picks up the phone to nab you right on the spot.
Okay, that's a challenge, to be sure.
But the hardest writing assignment of all is the book synopsis. Whether it's a 50 word back of the book blurb, a 175 word teaser for an ad, or a full three page summary intended to snag a potential publisher - it can take more massaging and editing than any well-crafted paragraph you've ever had to pen.
I recently had to put together a few versions for the pre-pub promotion of MAZURKA, the fourth Gus LeGarde mystery. We needed several different lengths, and each was torture.
Tip: One of the toughest things to accept is that you cannot possibly represent all of your key themes in a 50 word blurb. You have to pick and choose and wrestle regarding which theme to highlight.
Sometimes it helps to start with the full synopsis and chop from there. Choosing your sweetest strings of words and hottest points. Keep paring it down until you reach your word goal. Then go to work with your critique partners, tweaking until your fingers bleed.
One of the key elements in this exercise, of course, is to step outside yourself, stop churning in the water, and swim to a lifeboat. Your writing pals know the story. They can help you lop off words that don't matter and retwist your sentences to shine. I had lots of help with these from Gatherites and fellow Murderby4 pals, SW Vaughn and Marta Stephens, this time around. See what you think?
MAZURKA: A Gus LeGarde Mystery
50 words:
Join Gus and Camille LeGarde as they chase down a family secret with the potential to change European history. When Gus's brother-in-law is framed for a neo-Nazi's murder, the couple is plunged into a cat-and-mouse game where the stakes are lethal and the future of Europe hangs in the balance.
175 words:
When Siegfried receives a puzzling invitation to visit an ailing relative in Germany on the eve of Gus and Camille's wedding, their honeymoon plans change. Siegfried - Gus's socially challenged brother-in-law - can't travel alone, so they gather the gentle giant under their wings and fly to Paris.
After luscious hours in the city of lights, a twist of fate propels them into a deadly web of neo-Nazis. A bloody brawl on the Champs Élysées thrusts Siegfried and Gus into the news, where a flawed report casts Siegfried as the Nazi leader's murderer, sealing his death warrant.
While Siegfried recovers in a Parisian hospital, Nazi terrorists stalk Gus and Camille. Hunted and left for dead in the underground Parisian Catacombs among millions of Frenchmen's bones, they barely escape.
Siegfried is moved to safety at his aunt's in Denkendorf, where he learns a shocking family secret about Chopin's steamy past. The calm is soon shattered, when the threesome is plunged into a cat-and-mouse game where the stakes are lethal and the future of Europe hangs in the balance.
See how much I had to cull in the short version? We know nothing about Chopin, the Catacombs, or any of the other massive twists that take place in the story. Nor do we get to be enticed by the dazzling European details. But - that's the challenge. To pick and choose. And try to grab a reader the first time he or she picks up the book.
CHALLENGE:
I'll bet many of you have had to agonize through this. If so, post your synopses below in the comments section.
If not - why not try? It's a good exercise. Shoot for something from 50 to 175 words, and post it below.
And be sure to include your book's title and contact info if it's already on the market.
Good luck! And when you squeeze a few minutes or hours of writing into your day today - write like the wind!
- Aaron
P.S. If you haven't had a chance to listen to my first attempt at reading from my books, stop over here and let me know what you think. I also posted a separate article ...whoops. I mean I shared a post (LOL) here, where you might want to log your comments:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977405169&nav=MyGather
Reworked Synopses - just suggestions! Take them in the spirit they were delivered, as some ideas to ponder
Pat S:
When Jessamine Palmer receives a frantic letter from her stepsister, something doesn't add up. Lily died in a carriage accident six months ago. But the letter-begging for help from an abusive husband-is dated last month.
Jessa follows Lily's trail to a forboding castle in the wilds of Cornwall, where she falls into the arms of its dark master, Captain Dashiell Tremayne, in spite of her intentions to save Lily's daughter from him.
But this fiercely possessive man gives up nothing that is his. Bitter, brooding, and scarred, Dash believes Jessa mirrors her manipulative, unfaithful stepsister. He's not about to let another treacherous woman into his home or his heart.
That's when the accidents begin. Someone wants to ensure that Jessa is doesn't escape.<--note: this is a little confusing. What adversaries? Who are they against? Each other? Jessa?
Greater than the threat to her life is the risk Dash presents to Jessa's heart. Danger escalates, as the heat rises between Jessa and Dash. Soon, she'll have to make a choice: Accept the protection of a man she cannot trust, or follow Lily to a fiery death.
***
Sharon Pribble:
(I can't seem to get rid of these underlines - please ignore them!)<ins><ins><ins><ins>When Shana Birkens dies of leukemia, she is whisked to the mystical land that filled her dreams since childhood, urged by a mysterious voice to visit Glamouria to fight for the Light.</ins></ins></ins></ins>
Shana lands in a small mushroom ring, greeted by four creatures who lead her to a castle, where she journeys through a battle-ravaged land. With every ounce of courage, she fights demons, vampires, and evil dragons to protect the dreamland she loves.
Join Shana when she meets a good vampire and fights by his side against the Darkness to drive it back to Hell.
***
Barbara Shine
A middle-aged single mother plummets into a chasm of pain when she's raped less than three weeks after open-heart surgery. (insert name) loses her one-woman business, her savings, her home, loving relationships, and hope.
Feeling her intellect, sanity, and future are destroyed, (name) expects to die as a direct result of the assault. The rapist remains at large, while (name) is imprisoned in physical and emotional turmoil.
In I ONCE WAS LOST, personal essays and vignettes paint the highs and lows of a stumbling - but ultimately successful - journey to recovery.
***
Rhetta
In the past, they were the Queens, strong women who traveled unconventional paths in the face of a male-dominated industry. Known as the Blues Women, they changed the face of music. Explore the lives and legacies of eighteen great blues ladies, from Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, to the legends Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt.
Gain deeper understanding of black history and the history of America as a whole by digging into the lives of these powerful women, and move into the current tableau, where blues women still change the face of music, exploring the feminine side of the human condition.
***
Sandy F:
Bedazzled by John Thomas Gray Elk when he speaks at her university, Chelsea Wright decides to accept a position teaching at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where Gray Elk happens to chair the Native American Studies Department.
Traveling through the west to Flagstaff with her best friend Suzy, Chelsea courts trouble with her quick temper and self-defense course moves. A humiliated truck driver wants revenge, and Gray Elk happens along just in time-only to be told plainly that today's woman doesn't need defending.
When it comes to Gray Elk, Chelsea seems destined to be verbally challenged by the oral position of her own foot. She inadvertently uses the shirt off her back to get his attention.
Now Chelsea must break the barriers of Native American tradition dealing with love between diverse cultures, a task even more difficult because of Gray Elk's heritage. The man she loves is half Navajo and half Irish-American, a disillusioned product of forbidden love.
Can the redheaded woman from Indiana heal this man? Is he forever damaged by his mother's death and father's abandonment?
***
Who will replace the powerful Annon? They come to the House to learn, hoping they will be the chosen one. Annon patiently guides and studies each disciple; he reveals nothing, while teaching everything. Through obstacles placed in their way to setbacks meant to grow their skills, each one prays he will be worthy.
Still, no answers are revealed. Will one of them learn to harness the power within?
In the beginning there are only four. More come. More always come.
***
Keith P.
While hiking among sacred Pueblo Indian petroglyphs, Barry Andrews is struck by lightning. He survives, but the burst of energy awakens abilities he's carried since birth. Earth's fate is now tied to Barry, and Barry's fate is linked to the past.
A thousand years ago, the Anasazi built an advanced society in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The precise alignment of their pueblos and kivas with lunar and solar cycles granted them access to powers meant for no humans. When their meddling almost ended life on earth, the Anasazi abandoned Chaco Canyon to protect man from himself.
But the pueblo ruins still hold power, and man still desires what he shouldn't. Now Barry must join forces with a Native American elder to uncover ancient secrets and save the earth.
***
CA:
Adriana is just an ordinary thirteen-year-old, until she meets her elderly neighbor Emma.
When Adriana discovers that Emma is not all she appears to be, she is drawn into her new friend's mysterious world. By doing so, she is forced to face a powerful truth about herself.
***
Joylene:
Canadian Valerie McCormick visits Seattle on a tame business matter, but her routine is shattered when she witnesses two FBI agents murdered by members of a Latin drug cartel. The small town wife and mother is asked to testify, and with courage and determination, she faces the murderer in court.
That's when things go from bad to worse. Her supposed safety is shattered when drug lord Mario DeOlmos discovers her identity and sends killers to Prince George to silence her. Even though the FBI assigns agent Michael Canaday to protect Valerie with good intentions, his efforts to save her life destroy it by separating her from everyone she loves.
When Valerie sacrifices everything but can't guarantee her children's safety, she takes matters into her own hands and hunts the hunter, digging deep to summon courage she never knew she possessed.
***
Laura:
Lois, an organic vegetable farmer, finds her friend's head washed ashore during her morning walk. After a moment of shock and disgust, she admits to her hung-over self that she isn't surprised. It was only a matter of time before someone would kill Kat.
Tangled into a tight web of peninsula life, eclectic women of all ages struggle with intensified feelings of jealousy, mistrust, sisterhood, and fear.
From the cool shores of Lake Michigan, through the thick Newport forests, to the deep caves of Whitefish Bay, these women find they can't hide from Kat's ghost or the human vultures who prey on them.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 97
Synopsis, ah yes. I write synopses as I am plotting - it helps me keep to the most important parts as I am plotting.
I think it is very important to write synopses as we go along. The first time I wrote one, for my second draft of my romance novel (which I've not worked on in 2 months), I realized my plotting was missing the point. So, I've had to adjust the plot to keep it central.
A thing a synopsis can also point out to the author weak or strong points in the plotting.
i really think the WORST thing is to write your (one's ) first synopsis AFTER the novel is done, for reasons mentioned above.
Cornwall – 1837
Jessamine Palmer receives a frantic letter from her stepsister. Lily is begging for help in escaping her abusive husband, and in rescuing her daughter, Holly, from the man. Lily died six months earlier, in a blazing carriage accident on a lonely road. So why is the letter dated only a month ago?
Jessa follows in Lily’s footsteps to a brooding castle in the wilds of Cornwall, and into the arms of its dark master, Captain Dashiell Tremayne. She wants only to take her niece and escape this forbidding place.
But this fiercely possessive man gives up nothing that belongs to him. Bitter, brooding, and scarred, Dash believes Jessa is just like her manipulative, unfaithful stepsister. He’s not about to let another treacherous woman into his home, or into his heart.
Then the accidents begin. Someone wants to ensure that Jessa is no more successful at escape than was Lily. These adversaries must work together to protect the one thing they both love, the child Jessa came to save.
Overshadowing the threat to her life is the even greater threat Dash presents to Jessa’s heart. As the danger escalates, so does the heat between Jessa and Dash. Soon, she will have to make a choice. Accept the protection of a man she cannot trust, or follow Lily to a fiery death.
You make some very interesting points, Aaron. I had never thought about who wrote the synopsis for a book... I guess you need to separate completely from the story as a writer and look at it in a very detached way....which sounds much easier to say than do.
Heres one for Glamouria, Lord help me.
Glamouria
Shana Birkens has dreamed of a Dream Land called Glamouria for half her life as she dies of leukemia.
Now as she passes on to her next life, a voice gives her the opportunity to actually go there and fight for the Light.
She travels the Path all spirits take, and lands in a small mushroom ring, to be greeted by
four creatures, who lead her to a castle.
Follow Shana as she takes a journey through a battle ravaged land, and fights everything from demons and vampires, to evil dragons as the Enchantress of the Light to drive the forces of darkness from the Dream Land she loves.
Be with her in joy as she meets an actual GOOD vampire, fights by his side against the darkness, and weds him after driving it back to Hell.
Sharon Pribble
In the past, they were the Queens, strong women who took an unconventional path. They were the Blues Women, and they changed the face of music. To understand their history is to understand not only a great deal about black history but about the history of the country as a whole. Today, blues women still change the face of music and explore the feminine side of the human condition. This book explores the lives and legacies of eighteen great blues women, old and new. From Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith and other legends to Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and more contemporary blues women, this book explores their art and tells their stories.
When John Thomas Gray Elk speaks at Indiana University on Native American Studies, Chelsea Wright decides to live dangerously. She accepts a position teaching English and creative writing at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where Gray Elk just happens to chair the Native American Studies Department.
Traveling through the west to relocate in Flagstaff, with her best friend Suzy, Chelsea confronts trouble with her quick temper and her self-defense course moves, which may be too effective against danger. The humiliated truck driver wants revenge and Gray Elk happens along just in time—only to be told plainly that today’s woman doesn’t need defending.
When it comes to Gray Elk, Chelsea seems destined to be verbally challenged by the poor positioning of her own foot. She inadvertently uses the shirt off her back to get his attention.
Now Chelsea must break down the barriers of Native American tradition against love between diverse cultures, a task made even more difficult because Gray Elk is half Navajo and half Irish-American, a disillusioned product of forbidden love. Can the red-headed woman from Indiana heal this man, damaged by his mother’s death and his father’s abandonment? A new friend on the Navajo reservation could give Chelsea the insight she needs to claim Gray Elk’s reluctant heart
in writing so will get busy and give it a shot even though will be to late for you probably
The House of Annon"
They come to The House of Annon to learn how to change their lives. Annon is their guide, helping them and at the same time searching for the one who will replace him, guiding others to change their lives. He studies each one, wondering who it will be; one of these, or is there another to come? At each session they talk about the amazing changes in their lives They face obstacles, and overcome set-backs in order to learn how to use the infinite power within.
In the beginning there are only four. More will come, more always come.
Here's a 42-word blurb.
When lightning strikes Barry Andrews as he hikes Albuquerque's west mesa, it's more than an accident of nature. It's a calling. And unless this easy-going young man accepts his role as warrior and confronts an empowered adversary, life on Earth will end.
Here's a 190-word teaser.
While hiking among petroglyphs the Pueblo Indians hold sacred, Barry Andrews is struck by lightning. He survives, but the burst of energy awakens abilities he's carried since birth. Earth's fate is now tied to Barry's, and Barry's fate is linked to the past.
A thousand years ago, the Anasazi, ancestors of the Pueblo Indians, aligned a complex system of pueblos, kivas, and mysterious roads with lunar and solar cycles. By doing so, they tapped into great powers they used to tame their harsh environment. But their meddling disrupted a delicate balance of forces and almost destroyed life on Earth. Aware man wasn't meant to possess such power, the Anasazi abandoned Chaco Canyon.
But one man's need for power led him to the ruins, and Earth's ability to sustain life is again threatened. The spirits gave Barry the ability to restore the balance. Now he must accept his role, become a warrior, and convince an unstable and dangerous man to give up the one thing that gives his life value. Unless Barry succeeds before the equinox, when even the hours of day and night must balance, life on Earth is history.
I hope you post pictures.
Adriana is just an ordinary 13-yr. old girl, until she meets Emma, her elderly neighbor.
Emma is not all she appears to be, and harbors many secrets. Adriana is drawn into her new friend’s mysterious world, and in doing so is forced to face a powerful truth about herself.
The toughest part, I think, is wanting to include so much information in so little space. I try to think "teaser" in my head, and read the synopsis from the perspective of a person who has just picked up the book at their local B&N. What would captivate that person, and get them to buy?
I appreciate all who shared their writing here as it was very helpful to "see it in practice."
C A., I thought your synopsis succeeded your goal: I, for one, would keep reading...
Small town Canadian wife and mother, Valerie McCormick, witnesses the murder of two FBI agents in Seattle, identifies the killer as the head of a Latin drug cartel, and ends up redefining herself to discover an inner strength she never knew she possessed. For when the FBI fails her, it’s up to Valerie to reclaim her shattered life. Dead Witness is the story of one woman’s strength and courage. Valerie agrees to testify never guessing that Mario DeOlmos will not only discover her identity, but will send men to Prince George to kill her. FBI agent Michael Canaday is assigned to protect Valerie. But in trying to save her life, he also destroys it. Separated from the family who defines her, she spirals into hopelessness. When everything she can sacrifice isn’t enough to guarantee her children’s safety, she takes matters into her own hands and hunts the hunter.
Jane - so glad you found this! I know it's hard navigating around the new screens, search menus, and such since the changes. I'm starting to get used to it, but I hate change!
Sarah, we'll look forward to your synopsis post. Give us a heads up when it's ready? And I created the "painted" look on the image using artistic filters on Photoshop. This one is the "watercolor" filter.
Thanks, Pat! But you know what, I've been meaning to write to you about your book in progress. You already HAVE a plot. You already told me what's going to happen, what happened in the past, and what will be "discovered." Sure, there will be plenty of incidentals that twist and weave throughout, but I actually think you're being harder on yourself than you need to be. And you've done the hardest thing already - you've created memorable characters in Rufus and Evie who live and breathe. Keep going!
Kathryn, I guess I do it all backwards. I never write a synopsis until I'm done. But that's not to say a lot of the storyline isn't already formed in my head. I just don't write it down!
Okay, off to look at Pat S's synopsis. Back in a little bit.
Pat S - see my suggestions above at the bottom of the article.
Hi, John. So nice to see you here! Thanks for stopping by. ;o)
While hiking among petroglyphs the Pueblo Indians hold sacred, Barry Andrews is struck by lightning. He survives, but the burst of energy awakens abilities he's carried since birth. Earth's fate is now tied to Barry's, and Barry's fate is linked to the past.
A thousand years ago, the Anasazi, ancestors of the Pueblo Indians, built an advanced society in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The precise alignment of their pueblos and kivas with lunar and solar cycles gave them access to powers they weren't meant to control, and their meddling almost ended life on Earth. The Anasazi abandoned Chaco Canyon to protect man from himself.
But the pueblo ruins still hold power, and man still desires what he shouldn't have. Now Barry must join forces with a Native American elder, uncover ancient secrets, and save the Earth.
Keith, I'm working my way down the list. Thanks for the updated version.
Sandy, I took a shot at your synopsis. See what you think? It's toward the bottom of the Saturday WE post. ;o)
Mary Bradley McCauley: Just worked on yours. See what you think?
Keith - finally there. Back in a bit.
And I will have to find that book!
Aaron...you are amazing. And so good at the synopsis...I know who I'll be coming to! And thanks for the words of encouragement re Evie and Rufus! We have been knocking ourselves out with painting and cleaning and...well, you know the drill!
I have about 8 nitted chaps that will be flying your way soon...
Lookman: I know, it's sad. It's hard to get a celeb endorsement or book. But we can't let that stop us, can we? Somebody's gotta make it!
Rhonda, thanks for your feedback! Have a great night. ;o)
The story synopsis is the three brothers grow up on a ranch, where two out of the three grow up to be notorious womanizers. But, each of the proud men get felled of course by the woman of their dreams whether they like it or not.
Lucky is of course lucky with woman, cards, gambling, drinking, and just about everything he tries. But, when the woman he grows to love almost leaves him for his lack of commitment he finally wises up and gets rather "Lucky" indeed.
Chance has always grown up with one huge monkey on his back. His arrogant personality and penchant for beautiful, brassy ladies. One brassy lady in particular will rope this wild man in before he loses his identity all together.
Which leaves Gamble, whose name does not actually suit him at all. He grows to be the responsible one, the dependable one woman kind of man. He finds love early only to be surprised by the true woman of his dreams who challenges him to take a Gamble on her and reach for something higher than responsibility, and that one thing is passion.
Mary Mc
Keith, you're welcome. Did it help?
Mary, it was fun. I purposefully gave up my writing time last night to help, but it was fun. And if someone asks how they can respond in kind, all I ask is that you spread the word about LeGarde Mysteries. (www.legardemysteries.com) After all, if I make it big (so I can do this as my day job!), then I'll promise to make even more time for struggling writers.
Ha, Joylene, you cracked me up. And congrats on the release of Dead Witness! I'm going to tackle the synopsis later today. Great material to work with!
Enjoy this day, folks. Take advantage of every breath you draw, and savor life. If anyone else has synopses to post, keep on putting them up here. We'll keep the thread going!
Impressed by talent all over this place.
Sandy, I'm glad it helped. As with all of them, I would keep tweaking until they were perfect, this was just the first phase. ;o)
Thanks, Keith. Hey, you should tell us about your book/pub/release date so we can get excited for you! Bet you have a website we could go to, also. Hmm?
Thanks for the prompt, Aaron.
After Lois finds her friend’s head washed up on Whitefish Bay Dunes, WI, the naive people of a touristy peninsula discover anyone’s best friend could be their worst enemy. As this murder mystery unfolds, we learn how vultures take advantage of the wounded, nearly dead, and kills from other beasts.
Lois, an organic vegetable farmer, finds her friend’s head washed ashore during her morning walk. After a moment of shock and disgust, she admits to her hung-over self that she is not surprised. It was only a matter of time before someone would kill Kat.
Tangled into the tight web of peninsula life, eclectic women of all ages struggle with intensified feelings of jealousy, mistrust, sisterhood, motherhood, self identity, and fear.
From the cool shores of Lake Michigan, through the thick Newport forests, to the deep caves of Whitefish Bay, these women find there is no where to hide from Kat’s ghost. As this murder mystery unfolds, we learn how vultures take advantage of the wounded, nearly dead, and kills from other beasts.
Thanks, Keith. Talk to you later!
Obsessed captain hunts a whale - Moby Dick
Kids of different backgrounds serve Saturday detention together - The Breakfast Club
A shark terrifies a quiet town - Jaws
A man struggles with a mid-life crisis - American Beauty
Children crash on an island - Lord of the Flies
A boy coming of age in the 60's isn't sure he's a boy or girl - Unnatural Girl
I agree. When asked (as in 'What's the book about?' -- a synopsis) we want to read the book to the questioner.
I think the easiest way to get a publisher's attention is to know someone, be famous or married to/the daughter of the President.
Again, your help is much appreciated.
So - any more synopses lying in wait out there??
I just finished a great radio interview with Magdalena Ball at CompulsiveReader.com. She's such a doll, and a fellow Gatherite. If you'd like to take a listen, stop by here:
http://www.legardemysteries.com/radiointerviews.htm
Have a great night, everyone.
Here's my answer: Sorry, I forgot about this post, I've been rather busy...
My story is not actually complete. I have only written the first chapter and already have an idea of where I want the story to go. I got a serious case of writer's block for this particular story and haven't had a chance to go back to it..
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad you liked it.
Thanks, Angela. Sometimes when writer's block hits, I just go out and live life for a while. It usually helps me get back in the creative mood. Let us know how you're doing!
Really interesting discussion and comments. Thanks for keeping it going.
Thanks for sharing Aaron :)
Here is my 50 word synopsis (that actually comes in at a lean 108 words):
As summer was coming to and end, accidentally burning down a shed became the least of 14 year old, Katie McCabe’s problems. Having lost her mother when she was just a baby, Katie was shattered to learn that her father was seriously ill. Hustled off to live with Uncle Charley while her father was hospitalized, Katie struggles with accepting her changing life. On her first day in town, she meets Harvey Jr., and they quickly become adversaries. As the warfare between Katie and Harvey escalates, involving trips to the vice principal’s office, cheating, lies, and vandalism, she battles homesickness and fear that her life could be changing forever.
Ok - the above could easily be cut to the following (mind you it's still over the 50 word limit, coming in at 62):
As summer was coming to and end, accidentally burning down a shed became the least of 14 year old, Katie McCabe’s problems. Having lost her mother when she was just a baby, Katie was shattered to learn that her father was seriously ill. Hustled off to live with Uncle Charley while her father was hospitalized, Katie struggles with accepting her changing life.
Kathryn, I am in awe of your discipline.