Synopsizing Again

If you haven't read Anne Mini's workshop on writing a synopsis, what are you waiting for? I know, I know. I hadn't read it myself, but I was busy writing. No excuse, but it works for me. The last thing I like to do is write synopses.

Or maybe I should make that past tense.

This morning I read the workshop, and let me tell you, it fired me up. She's so right on so many levels, I can't begin to describe them all.

First off, she hammers the point home about the synopsis being a major marketing tool for your work, and let's face it, we all need to think of our books as products. Like it or not, they are and they need marketing. If we were just writers to write, none of this would be necessary. I mean, good lord, I could crank out a half-dozen books a year if I never had to think about whether anyone else was going to read them. Since I'm writing to be read, I need to take the time to think about selling these once I'm done. (Unless, unlike me, you're a wealthy philanthopist who's planning on giving away your books. Then ignore this advice, and send me a grant so I can eat while I'm waiting to sell.)

Then she not only reminds writers that a synopsis shouldn't be just a litany of events, that synopsis should be as interesting and exciting as the book itself, but she also gives tips on how to achieve that.

Reading the whole thing took some time, but it was worth every second. It was an eye-opening experience for me, and inspired me to get cracking on the new synopsis for Spectacle (since that's the one ready to be pushed into query-land right now).

Oh, and one other thing she says that I think bears repeating. It's never too early to start working on your synopsis. Don't wait until the last minute, or you'll find yourself throwing some pointless crap together and defeating your own purpose (my words, not hers - she says it nicer).

So, what are you waiting for?