There's battle lines being drawn.
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong.
Young people speaking their minds
getting so much resistance from behind

Monday, January 2, 2012

Condensing 90,000 words into 800 or less

If the first draft of the novel or story is allowed to suck, so too is the first draft of the synopsis allowed to suck. I have to remember this.

I'll also have to rewrite the synopsis. And if history is any guide, then rewrite again. And then again. And then polish before I have something acceptable.

4 comments:

Dr. Phil (Physics) said...

Synopsis writing is very different than writing. I wish we had some practice at Clarion. (grin)

Dr. Phil

Steve Buchheit said...

Dr. Phil, you said it. I'm going with the "focus on main characters, give main plot points" version. My problem is much of those won't make sense without some world explanation. Trying to work out the balance.

Elizabeth said...

Good luck. And I'd be happy to take a look if you want another pair of eyes on it.

Steve Buchheit said...

Thanks, Elizabeth. I might need that help. BTW, have you reapplied for VP?