Wednesday, September 15, 2010

That Damn Synopsis - Part Deux

So I sit down to write the damn thing.  And it seems like a decent start, only what I'm writing is a bit different from my actual manuscript.  So I fight the urge, but keeping typing the wrong stuff.  Then I think to myself, I kinda like this better.

Is there a way to make it work?

No dumbass.  Your story doesn't open like that.  Why are you synopsizing what you didn't write?

Well, what if it did?

Then you'd have a better story to sell.  But you don't.  Because you didn't.

Well maybe I will?

But you're supposed to be synopsiszing.  And querying.  Because you found an agent you know is going to want a synopsis.  Don't waste your time.

Isn't it a waste of time to submit a query when my beginning isn't as strong as it could be?

I suppose.  I mean, you're only talking one chapter, right?

Probably.  Maybe two.

And then you can hitch it up to the rest, so it seems all natural-like?

Yeeaahhh...unless...even now I'm changing it some more.

Great!  Here comes another frakking re-write.

6 comments:

Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) said...

Ah, the constant mental movement of a writer. It's tiring, isn't it? (But amusing, too, when it's not happening to you. Thanks for that.)

April Plummer said...

Oh, man. I hate synopsis' anyway...and I hate it when you wake up one day and realize your WIP could be better re-written. Again. For the umpteenth time. Good luck!

Travener said...

Write a couple different synopses. First, just write it all out. Don't worry about how long it is. Then, pare it back to fivee pages -- that's your "big" synopsis. THEN -- and this is where it gets really hard -- pare the five-pager down to no more than two pages. That's right -- two pages. You may have to edit, edit, edit, edit. Each time you do it you'll find a word here or there. Sooner or later you'll get to two pages. That's your "short" synopsis. Good luck.

Rebecca said...

This exact same thing happened to me. Frustrating, I know! But leading to a better book and therefore a higher chance of selling said book, right? Hang in there, and good luck

Unknown said...

If you really think you can improve the opening chapters and you know exactly how and why you want to proceed, then by all means, give it a whirl. But don't forget the old saying: don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

As for synopses, they were invented during the Spanish Inquisition to purge the impure. Hope you have a high tolerance for pain.... Actually, though, you really gotta make peace with them. Just pretend you're writing your book jacket copy. That helps.

erica m. chapman said...

You want the story to be the best it can be! So. as much as it sucks, if something else sounds better, then go for it ;o)

I know. It's totally frustrating. I'm merging two characters into one, so I'm going to have to rewrite mine too, but there's just one too many.

Good luck!!