Yes, I have finished the synopsis I was asked to write and am now working on my three sample chapters for the possible new series.
Well, “finished” is maybe too strong of a word…considering the synopsis is 21 pages long and needs to be 8. (I’d thought they wanted a short synopsis, but they need a longer one. Not, however, 21 pages long.)
I think it would take me longer to write a short synopsis. I’d obsess over what was going into it too much. Just like Twain said, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
Good things about writing synopses
- Planning ahead
- Seeing how the story all fits together
- Finding weaknesses in the story before starting
- Knowing exactly where the story is heading.
- Discovering plot holes.
- Having fewer things to work out later—names, clues, red herrings, and the murderer’s identity are all included in the synopsis.
Bad things about writing synopses
- Planning ahead
- The time it takes—about 4 hours to write a complete synopsis (at least, this is as long as it took me)
- Feeling like I’m writing to an outline, which saps a little of the creative mojo. Feels like writing-by-numbers.
- Looking back and forth from my synopsis to my manuscript as I write. “Now, what did I say I was going to write here…?”
- Not having the story surprise me as I go. It feels more calculated.
Will I do this again? I’m sure I will---many editors want a synopsis before giving the go-ahead on a book or new series. Will I choose to do this again when I don’t have to? I’m not so sure. I might do it on a much smaller scale.
How about you? Which side of the fence are you on?
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