How to Write a Synopsis in 4 to 6 Easy-ish Steps

1. Procrastinate. Be sure to leave it until either the night before the deadline - at the very earliest - or better yet, push it off to the due date. 

2a. Make sure you are working in a room with a large clock that tick-tocks* down the seconds so loudly that you no longer hear your inner voice ranting, "Why do I always do this!" *Added bonus: annoying sounds are guaranteed to diminish all creative thought. Perfect.

Snip snip here, and a snip snip there...

2b. Include every last detail of your book, carelessly disregarding the finely worded request for a succinct double-spaced one page synopsis. Why? So later, when time is purposely working against you and you re-read the submission instructions, you can torture yourself with the trimming, snipping, and deleting of all your little darlins'. 

3. Throw a temper tantrum. This will make you feel extremely liberated for 30 seconds.Then return to your computer and rage-type out the following synopsis:

Once upon a time, there was this person, who wanted something really, really badly, but big trouble happened and it got really, really hard, but this person never gave up and they saved the day and lived happily ever after. 

Ta-da! 

The End

3. Part 2 - Pour yourself a beverage. Pots of coffee work for me, but you may prefer a tall glass(es) of Shiraz/Chardonnay/Bourbon/Vodka. I do not judge. Now delete each word as typed above.

4.Take 3 to 5 deep breaths, careful not to hold them too long or you may pass out. Especially if you are pulling an Ernest Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, or Edgar Allen Poe. Most likely absinthe and yoga breathing don't mix well.

5. Now, write out as simply as possible a very loose outline. Then add a few key details. Do not forget to include how the story ends. This is no time for clever hooks and mysterious innuendos. A publisher or editor needs to see the story arc.

6. Let your latest synopsis draft sit and simmer for awhile, but not too long as you are tight for time. (Please see item 1.) 

Who would miss one teeny egg?

How to spend those precious hours until you begin further edits?

Take up macrame. Craft a scarf, an extremely stretchy dog leash, or a groovy pocket square for your favourite suit sporting guy. Everything old is new again. 

Dig into the Easter chocolate your children have not-so-carefully hidden in their bedrooms.

Or write a blog post about it.

Happy Synopsis Writing!

Happy 1st Birthday, Blog!

sarakorbi.blogspot.com

Over the past 12 months, I've learned a lot about the art of blogging. I’ve read numerous articles stating that effective blogs focus on a specific theme, so your audience knows what to expect when logging on. 

This makes a lot of sense.

If only that was how my brain worked, this would be an easy-peasy rule to follow. But my brain is not an orderly, itemized storage vessel of information. My brain does not operate like a library, all neat and tidy, with easy to locate novels sitting perfectly square on well dusted shelves.

No, my brain resembles more of a typical teenage bedroom. Everything is everywhere, with seemingly no logical order; however, somehow whatever you’re looking for is easily found. You just need to look behind the dresser, or under the throw rug. (Try not to trip over the pile of folded clothes sitting in the middle of the floor.)  

Here is my list of blog topics I’ve covered this past year:  

·        Writing Retreats

·        Disturbing Childhood Nic-names

·        Multi-tasking

·        Open Mike Nights, twice

·        Thanksgiving

·        Awesome Manitoba Books

·        Awesome Manitoba 

·        Writing for Kids

·        The Anita Factor Writing Group

·        The Arts and Why They Matter

·        Submitting Manuscripts

·        Receiving the First Writing Cheque

·        Cabin Fever

·        Writing Tips

·        My Kids, a multitude of times

·        Getting Published

·        Excuses for Not Blogging

·        Chocolate, of course

·        Friend Deja-Vu

·        Gratitude, possibly thrice

·        Grammar

·        Childhood Firsts

·        Kids Growing up Too Fast

·        My Possible Writing Addiction

·        Type A Personality, in Remission

·        Family Traditions

·        Santa & Lego

·        Being Barely Foreign

·        The SCBWI          

Should such a diverse list of topics be a warning? Should I change my tactic? Narrow my focus?

I suppose that would be the practical, logical approach.


mathwire.com

Logical. Ick. Practical. Meh. Thankfully, no one has ever accused me of being either.
 

Therefore, I must conclude, (after doing zero analysis, research, or contemplation), that I shall carry on delving into new topics as they catch my interest. Think of a Blue Jay chasing shiny objects. 

Hmmm.  What to write about next?

Life’s foibles? More writing news? Book reviews? Parenting pitfalls?

 

Let me know what you’d like to read. 

I’d love to hear from you.

funny-pix.co

 

Top 10 Nuggets of Knowledge

inkygirl.com

Peace, love, and children’s books.

That was the motto for this year’s SCBWI conference in L.A. and really isn’t that what children's book writers  should be all about? Well, at least while we’re writing.

Always looking to share what I learn in my quest to become a better writer, I have put together a list of what I deem The Top 10 Nuggets of Knowledge. I realize that the conference ended 11 days ago but deciphering my hand-scribble takes a lot of time, a magnifying glass, and a sip or six of chardonnay. I also recognize that there were so many pearls of wisdom shared with us, the title would be better named The Top 1,000 Nuggets of Knowledge, but that would no longer constitute a blog, but full on plagiarism. Never good.

draftswithdots.blogspot.com

As an ode to David Letterman, I intended to compile my list is in reverse order, from least to most important nugget. But, then I remember being told at the conference to “think outside the box,” so I decided to start at number five and flip backwards, then forwards again, but all that flipping around whipped up my vertigo, and I had to take a break and start fresh.

So, here are my nuggets, in no particular order of magnitude, credited to their source.

• Write a timeless book. – Arthur A. Levine, Editor

            - a story that stands the test of time, like; Where the Wild 

           Things Are, The Golden Compass, or any of the Harry Potter books.

         Seems a simple enough task. If I could just find my HB2 pencil, I’d        write the next classic.

• Ask yourself, “What would my 10 year old self want to read?” - Tony Diterlizzi, The Spiderwick Chronicles

•  Conduct the first line test.  – Lissa Price, Starters

             - Is it a zinger, compelling the reader to want to read the rest of your book?

• When outlining your book, flesh out the details, but still leave a bit to chance. - Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars

•  Do not sign up for a Gulag simulation, no matter how into research you may be. - Ruta Sepetys, Between Shades of Gray

             (I’m sure you don’t need to be told this twice.)

• Never give the reader a good place to stop reading. – Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

             -Make your book so suspenseful, that the reader will stay up all night reading.

             (Possibly under the covers, by flashlight.)

• Ignore all writing advice – Dan Gutman, My Weird School

writingforward.com

 - Which he quickly followed with, “try everything and if that doesn’t work, try something else.”

• Drop the romantic notion of what being an artist means – get a real job. - Bryan Collier, Uptown

   *Ouch.* Sometimes the truth hurts.

• Marketing is Key – when dealing with eBooks and apps, otherwise no one will be able to find you. – Chintu Parikh, Kite Readers

•   Write with passion from your heart - do it your way, dream big. - Karen Cushman, Will Sparrow's Road

So, why are you still sitting there?

Grab your pencil, follow your heart and a detailed outline, (with a first line hook) and write that timeless suspenseful classic that your 10 year old self would read, all while working as an accountant, saving your pennies for the digital launch.

What!? You’re not going to take this advice? Fine.

Please remember one thing. 

Just say no to Gulag simulations, no matter how tempting. 

           

writingtipsonline.com

 *I know I said you didn't need to be told twice about the whole Gulag thing, but it sounded horrifying, and I worry...

Barely Foreign at the SCBWI Conference

She got me with these words four years ago, "Welcome to the tribe."

When I heard them again, at this year's Los Angeles conference, I knew I'd come home. To the lost tribe of writers - those of us who write for kids and young adults.

For those of you who don't write for the under 18 crowd, or haven't heard me rant and rave about the SCBWI, I'm speaking about Lin Oliver. Lin Oliver and Stephen Mooser, long time friends, founded the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 41 years ago. Lin, as the founding mother of the organization, helps bring together the scattered tribe of fellow children's book authors from across the United States. The SCBWI graciously allows foreigners, and those Lin deems as "barely foreign" (Canadians such as myself) into the fold.

Lin is the author of the Who Shrunk Daniel Funk series and co-authors, with Henry Winkler, the best-selling Hank Zipzer series. She is also a writer and producer of books, movies and television shows. She is an inspiration. Here's a link to find out more - http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lin-Oliver/22378776.

This year I had the privilege of meeting Lin Oliver. I tried hard to be smart and sophisticated. I ended up just being me. It was much easier. As she was signing her newest book, Sound Bender, we got chatting. (I am very good at chatting when I don't have to be smart or sophisticated.)

agentcarlywatters.wordpress.com

I was able to tell her that I too, this barely foreign writer from Canada, was an SCBWI success story. And because she is so lovely, and because she didn't yet know what an accomplished chatterer I was, she asked me my story. This is how it goes.

In 2007 I decided I needed to find out if I was a "real writer." So I took all our family vacation money, mortgaged the cottage, and flew down to LA, where I met a group of writers from Texas. They welcomed me into their chapter, gave me workshop advice, writing tips, and included me in their dinner plans at the Santa Monica Pier one evening. I laughed every moment I was in their presence, feeling as if I'd known them for years. They are still my Facebook friends, and I cheer on all their achievements as they do mine.
 
At that conference my picture book manuscript was nominated for The Sue Alexander Award.  I was elated. Inspired. Confident that in no time I would be published. What can I say, I was green.

My second conference was a nightmare of magnificent proportions.  I wish I was being overly dramatic but sadly, my critique went so far beyond badly, just thinking about it makes my heart shrivel, my hands shake, and my right eye twitch.

But what helped me continue was the support of my fellow writers.

texas-heartaches.com

My Texans. Yup, those welcoming, open armed group of Texans hugged me, dragged me, (ugly-crying) to the food court to feed me tacos. Why tacos? That detail is fuzzy.

But more importantly, they told me to never give up. To hold onto my dream. To push those cruel words from my mind. To believe in myself. Their kind words and messages of encouragement through email and Facebook continued long after the conference ended. Their gentle prodding kept me coming back to my computer, even when I couldn't see the screen clearly through my tears.

So thank you Lin Oliver and Stephen Mooser for your vision in creating the SCBWI.

Thank you to my Texas writing pals. 

Your big, Texan-sized hearts made me feel like I instantly belonged.

So writers, what's stopping you from joining? 

They'll take all of us. Barely foreign or otherwise.
Trust me. It's good to be in the tribe.

ingridsnotes.wordpress.com