Most writers hate writing synopses. They need
dread them no more. In Write a Great
Synopsis – An Expert Guide, Nicola Morgan takes the stress out of the
subject and applies calm, systematic guidance, with her renowned no-nonsense
approach.
Write a
Great Synopsis covers: the function of a synopsis, differences between
outlines and synopses, different requirements for different agents and
publishers, finding the heart of your book, how to tackle non-linear plots,
multiples themes, sub-plots and long novels, and it answers all the questions
and confusions that writers have. Nicola also introduces readers to her useful
Crappy Memory Tool, explains the art of crafting a 25-word pitch, and
demonstrates with real examples. Gold-dust for writers at all stages.
As a writer, I hate synopses with a passion. Even now, as a writer with an agent, I still have nightmares when it comes to writing one. Yet synopses are such useful tools - to show to potential publishers as well as a record for my agent to talk about. For me, I write one before I draft out the book as it gives me a sense of where I'm heading.
So what is the best way to write one? Over the years, I've written all kinds of styles - one page, two pages, ten pages. Single spaced, double spaced. I've written outlines that I thought were synopses. I've written synopses and not told the reader the end of the book. In truth, I've done it all wrong and then some.
Write a Great Synopsis is packed with useful hints and tips. There's great advice from lots of well known names in the business. There are also sample synopses and questions and answers from aspiring authors. Nicola breaks downs how to attack a synopsis and make it shine. She writes with energy and passion. Next time you need to write a synopsis, it's well worth a look.
About the Author
Nicola is the author of around ninety books for all ages,
fiction and non-fiction. To writers she is known for the no-nonsense expert
advice in her blog, Help! I Need a Publisher! and her highly acclaimed book for
writers, Write to be Published, as well as Tweet Right – The Sensible Person’s
Guide to Twitter.
Win a copy of Write a Great Synopsis
Win
a synopsis critique and advice from the Crabbit Old Bat herself!
Surrounding publication on January 20th of Write a Great Synopsis – An
Expert Guide, I will be visiting a number of blogs for a guest post,
review or interview. If you’d like the chance of winning help with your
synopsis, simply leave a relevant comment on any of the guest posts.
(This could be a deep and meaningful comment or a plea to the gods of
fortune to pick you!) One comment per post – but comment on each post if
you wish. On February 15th, each blog host will send me the names of
valid commenter's and I will do a random selection, using a random number
generator.
1st Prize: a synopsis critique from Nicola; your choice of one of her books*, subject to availability, signed; a sought-after (only 6 in the
world!) Write to be Published mug; a crabbit bag; and a pile of
postcards.
2nd Prize: a synopsis critique; a signed book (Nicola's); postcards.
3rd Prize: a synopsis critique; postcards.
2nd Prize: a synopsis critique; a signed book (Nicola's); postcards.
3rd Prize: a synopsis critique; postcards.
Many thanks for the review copy.
This is a book no would-be writer (or writer) should be without!
ReplyDeleteI have even bought myself a Kindle to have a copy of WAGS! And this is the 3rd comment I've left on a blog - hoping and praying I win a prize!
DeleteSarah
I've been using Tweet Right to find my way around Twitter, and am about to start WAGS - looking forward to a few lightbulb moments.
ReplyDeleteI bought the book on the release date and it is brilliant. Having said that, Nicola's advice in these interviews had already helped me write a more effective pitch ... and she bullied me. *big grin* Thanks, Nicola.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by, catdownunder and Cameron Writes. I'll enter you both in the competiton too. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSince the agent's won't let me telephone, record or video what the book is about; I have about one zillion versions of a synopsis for each book; and I can't seem to edit a synopsis without finding something else to put in--this sounds like a book I need.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm a freelancer between gigs, I'd be jazzed to win it! Thanks!
Deb
All comments entered into the competition, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think I've finally accepted that you need to give away the end in the synopsis ;o)
ReplyDeleteI thought Nicola's book was really helpful on clarifying the difference between a synopsis and an outline. I like the suggestion to build it up so that you have synopses of varied lengths. I'm going to work on mine this weekend.
Let's hope you face the next one with less hate.
WAGS is brilliant - useful tips, methods that work and invaluable advice! Now all I have to do is write the query letter...
ReplyDeleteHello Mel and everyone
ReplyDeleteI feel terrible for not having put a comment here before but I was away and on trains in the middle of the blog tour and commenting on a blog on a phone is almost impossible and VERY fiddly! Anyway, I want to thank Mel for letting me visit her blog and you all for commenting. I'll be collating all the competition entries (a LOT of names!) and putting them through a random generator as soon as I can and I'll let mel know if one of the winners is among her readers. Good luck!
Meanwhile, good luck with your writing and may the muse be with you always.
All the best and thanks again
Nicola