Synopsis

[lorraine hossington]

Hi Everyone,

I am going to write my synopsis for the chapter, which has to go to the MIRA editor.

The trouble is, I am not very good at writing them! Could any of you just give me a few tips. I hate writing them. It is easier to write a chapter, at least things seem to flow better!

Would be grateful for any help.

                    Lorraine x

P.S also have to do one for M&B.

[Jo Walter]

Hi Lorraine and everyone

 

I'm certainly no expert, but I am happy to show you mine (attached) in case it is of any help.  As for the pitch itself, what do you actually say and do when you get in there?  Is it like a live version of the synopsis?  I have realised I have absolutely no clue how to go about it and, whilst I get the concept of an elevator pitch (something like you might see on a book blurb), I would have no idea how to string that out for ten minutes.  Although I am guessing you have to talk a bit about where it might fit into their line, the potential market you think it would sit with, other writers you might compare yourself with etc - so like the live version of your submission letter?  Do you also have to talk about yourself, previous writing track record etc?  Umm... I wonder if there are any pitches I could watch on You Tube or a dummies guide on how to pitch?  Any advice gratefully received!

 

Jo x

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[Jackieladbury]

Sarah Duncan gave a good talk on synopsis. She said write it as if you were recounting a situation with 'and then this happened' and just delete the 'and then' bit. Or it might have been Julie Cohen.

When i had a one to one with H and M she started on the story straightaway asking me how I'd thought up the storyline etc. she then said i needed to make it clear from the outset who the hero was (there were two men) said she liked my style etc etc. asked to see the full but it was rejected a week before xmas. A pre- holiday cull if ever there was one!

Jaxx

P.S also have to do one for M&B. <361.gif>

[Deirdre...@aol.com]

Hi Lorraine,  synopses really are the devil's work aren't they.  I've read loads on how to do it and studied other people's and at the end of the day I came to the conclusion that you just have to relax a bit and not worry too much.  All that is really needed is a summary of the main plot with the main characters.  No sub-plots and no supporting characters unless they are essential to the main plot.  Make sure that the turning points in the story are clearly indicated and tell it all, don't leave any mysteries.  The tone of the writing should reflect that of the book itself (but in present tense obviously).

 

At the risk of inundating you with too much info Lorraine, I'm also attaching mine that seemed to be acceptable (having written it umpteen times!)

 

good luck!

Deirdre

 

PS  I too would love to know what the hell to say in a pitch, should I ever be in a position to make one - I'm sure you'll all be experts by the time the conference is over!  Wish I was coming with you. 

 

In a message dated 26/06/2013 14:53:40 GMT Daylight Time, lorraineh...@googlemail.com writes:

Hi Everyone,

I am going to write my synopsis for the chapter, which has to go to the MIRA editor.

The trouble is, I am not very good at writing them! Could any of you just give me a few tips. I hate writing them. It is easier to write a chapter, at least things seem to flow better!

Would be grateful for any help.

                    Lorraine x

P.S also have to do one for M&B.

[lynne pardoe]

I found a really good way to write a synopsis, not that anyone has ever seen mine or commented on it but I make notes of what I want to do in each chapter & these notes copied & pasted make the basis of my synopsis.

I dunno if that's right or not but it has done the trick for me, good luck from me too! Lynne x

---

From: Deirdre...@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 12:30:13 -0400
Subject: Re: Synopsis
To: lorraineh...@googlemail.com; thewrite...@googlegroups.com

[jowal...@yahoo.com]

Hi Jaxx

Sorry about the rejection, but some positives in there for sure. Just to clarIfy, was it like an interview then, where she asked you questions? I like that idea a lot better, certainly preferable to a launch into a sales pitch. Might have to drink a pint of rescue remedy for breakfast! Have you sub'ed your short story or NWS yet? Hope to get my NWS in before the conference. Then I might even be really brave and contact Choc Lit to see if there has been any feedback yet... Or perhaps not!

Jo x

Jo x

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

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From: Jackieladbury <jackie...@aol.com>

Sender: thewrite...@googlegroups.com

Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:57:24 +0100

To: lorraine hossington<lorraineh...@googlemail.com>

Cc: thewrite...@googlegroups.com<thewrite...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Synopsis

[jowal...@yahoo.com]

Hi Deirdre

I wish you, Jaxx, Lynne and the others who aren't going to the conference were coming too. I have tweeted and facebook'ed your free download promo by the way.

Jo x

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

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From: Deirdre...@aol.com

Sender: thewrite...@googlegroups.com

Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 12:30:13 -0400 (EDT)

To: <lorraineh...@googlemail.com>; <thewrite...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Synopsis

[jowal...@yahoo.com]

Hi Lynne

Sounds like a good plan to me. Already dreading writing my one for the NWS, plus need to do two more for comps by the end of July - bleurgh!

Hope you are feeling more upbeat about everything this week and have racked up loads of sales on eBay.

Jo x

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

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From: lynne pardoe <lynne...@hotmail.co.uk>

Sender: thewrite...@googlegroups.com

Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:36:42 +0100

To: Deirdre...@aol.com<deirdre...@aol.com>; lorraineh...@googlemail.com<lorraineh...@googlemail.com>; thewrite...@googlegroups.com<thewrite...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: RE: Synopsis

[lynne pardoe]

Hi Jo, yes I am thanks, I've been reading a lot and that helps, Cathy Glass is a foster carer who writes about the children/young people she's cared for and her writing is very plain, very simple language but lots of detail about her work and I thought 'I can do that,' and I can except for life getting in the way, you know ebay necessities, children needing this & that. Its neverending! Yep, ebay stuff has done well, it keeps the wolves away from the door. I bought a whole lot of farming magazines at a garden sale last summer, 'Farmer & Stockbreeder,' from the 40's, 50's & 60s, I just couldn't see them go in the bin or to recyle.

So I got them and emailed loads of rural life museums, Acton Scott, Glastonbury, our local agrcultural college everywhere, & no-one wanted them. I was devastated & thought I'd have to take them to the tip. I just thought I'd try a few on ebay & to my delight they went really well! 3 for £5 + postage! Now I'm going to wait a few months till just before xmas as they'll make good pressies for those who never know what to get the man in their life! The good thing is the buyers can also sell them on again!

Funny isn't it, I couldn't give them away at first!

How's your MA work going? I can remember doing mine this time about 25 yrs ago & found it exhausting, I was working and a single mum too!

Lynne x

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Subject: Re: Synopsis
To: lynne...@hotmail.co.uk; thewrite...@googlegroups.com
From: jowal...@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:51:00 +0000

[lorraine hossington]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I appreciate  Jo and Deirdre letting me read their synopsis. I have to say I like the sound of the novels.

It has made it much clearer for me, and I have a good idea about how I am going to write it.

Alex, Thanks for the offer to read it. I'll see how I get on, and may take you up on it.

 

Jo, I only had the one interview with Anna Boatman, when she was at M&B. She was the one asking about my novel. She wanted to know how I thought of my storyline, all about the character's, And asked me to explain the story, then she would stop and pick something out. An example is my heroine's father had to borrow money off a loan shark in Manila. She wanted to know why he didn't use a bank and ask for a loan. So I had to explain that he was already in debt with the bank, but still needed money, so decided to get it from a different source.

If your editor pitch is anything like mine, you won't have to worry they will ask the questions. I was talking to Laura E James the other day ( a Romaniac) she said when she pitched for the first time last year, she told the editor that it was the first time she had done anything like it. The response was very positive and the editor was very nice and understanding.

So If you are nervous, just be honest and say. It is just like a job interview, do the best you can. I say preaching to myself, as my knees are already knocking!

I think a stiff drink on Saturday evening will be called for. I may order my Rum and coke in advance.

 

Thanks for all the advice, it is so helpful.

           Have a good night.           Lorraine x

 

[lorraine hossington]

Hi everyone,

Just to say thanks for the synopsis help. I am half way through it, and will finish it tonight, and email off tomorrow.

Part of the problem was I didn't know how my story would end. This is a short chapter, that I have entered for the Elizabeth Goudge competition, so didn't think I would need to think any more about it!

Now of course I have the Mira interview, so thought I would send it off, as it is a paranormal romance. Then of course I had to think of middle and end. The good news is I am getting there.

                        Thanks, everyone for your help.

                                Lorraine x