Be Fearless: Appeal to Your Critique Pals

     

On my way toward the "e publishing" finish line, the requirement to write a 'synopsis' and a 'summary' of my book stalled my progress.  You would think these task would be easy,  especially after working for months sharpening my verbs, enhancing and adding dimension to my characters, and authenticating and burnishing the scenes of my book. Yet, day after day, draft after draft, frustration prevailed.

What is a Synopsis?
The synopsis shows how the plot, theme, characterization, and setting converge to form the big picture. This document "needs to be concise, compelling and complete, all at the same time." (D. Matriccino, Writers Digest, February 1, 2010.) Read about writing a Synopsis. 

What is a Summary?
Book store buyers, agents, and editors are the summary's audience. Finding information on writing a summary for a novel is difficult. Few writers blogs about it, or haven't used a label to identify their experiences or information. Write Summary gives some ideas for writing the basic summary:

1. write in present tense
2. write in third person
3. write to include cliffhangers and teaser
4.  do not reveal any conclusion

Seek Peer Council

The tug of war between the blank screen and the printed page continuedfor months. Then, after hitting the bottom of my creativity well, I asked my critique group members for help. Why I didn't ask before? I can't answer that question, but I know the synergy of the group and the cold, honest truth, hit me like a Pacific Ocean wave.





Results
WOW! It was cathartic.  The first draft of the synopsis is complete. The summary, well I have a problem summarizing the entire story. This hurdle is personal and it too shall be conquered.