Aug

Special Give-Away

From time to time I’ll be giving away a compilation of posts–with updates and additions–as a Craft Report in .pdf format.

Due to popular demand the first one is “How To Write A Synopsis Without Turning Homicidal”. You’ll find the link in the right hand side bar under Special Give-Away, or you can click here.

This is for all who find themselves in a position of having to write a synopsis under pressure. It’s not only helpful after you write your book, but is also an excellent planning tool for plotting. It’s also a great way of creating the marketing documents your [potential] agent and editor will love.

The two things I ask in return:

1. DON’T give the pdf away yourself. Send people here to the site to download their own copy.
2. Please leave a comment about what you found MOST HELPFUL in the report.

I’m always happy to hear suggestions for improvement or where you need more enlightenment, so don’t be backward about saying.

Popularity: 59%

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22 Responses to “Special Give-Away”

Kylie Griffin
September 15th, 2010 at 11:34

Gracie,

While I loved the whole document – each word a nugget of gold – I specifically loved the examples you peppered through the series and the 1-10 summary on what to include (I’m a visual learner so I need to see something, how to deconstruct then construct it before I attempt it, big picture then the parts).

Kylie
Kylie Griffin
September 15th, 2010 at 11:36

Forgot to add I’ve just emailed a few writer friends with a link to this page, recommending your post.
Gracie
September 15th, 2010 at 11:51

Thanks Kylie!

We all learn differently. I’m a list-making fool; summaries, top tens, three ways of… All that stuff. I also have to admit I like to see a practical example of something I’m trying to figure out. Which is why I try to create my own examples from a Work in Progress, or something on the back burner. That way I get to help myself as well as other people.

Thanks for the feed-back! Glad you’re finding it useful.

Gracie
Tamara Gill
September 15th, 2010 at 12:54

I found everything helpful in this craft report. Thank you so much, I struggle with these, this will be a huge help.
Tam
Gracie
September 15th, 2010 at 13:09

You’re very welcome, Tam.

If–as you go through the report and your next synopsis–you find an area that needs more explanation, or you have a question, please do come back and tell me, or ask. I might not know the definitive answer but we can work it through together!

Thanks for your comment.

Gracie
Juliet
September 15th, 2010 at 17:31

Thanks Gracie. I like that you break it down for a single page synopsis, as well as the option of longer ones.
Gracie
September 15th, 2010 at 18:42

Thank you, Juliet!

I appreciate that you came back to let me know your thoughts.

Gracie
Carol C
September 15th, 2010 at 22:27

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on synopsis writing. From what I’ve read so far, it feels like your own private writing workshop. I like the ‘your turn’ features and the layout is easy to follow. This will really help me get a handle on my work. Again, thank you for sharing.
Gracie
September 16th, 2010 at 06:15

Hi, Carol.

Thanks for your feedback. The “your own private workshop” feel is exactly what I wanted to produce (Woo Hoo!!) and what’s a workshop without some practical ‘Your Turn’ workouts?

As always, when you get in deeper and have other comments (positive or negative) that you think might make the report more useful, please feel free to tell me.

Gracie
Alice
September 16th, 2010 at 09:28

Thanks so much for this great give-away Gracie. It’s so helpful, so well done, so professional, & still manages to be enjoyable!
With many thanks,
Alice
Gracie
September 16th, 2010 at 09:56

Hi Alice,

You’re welcome! Glad it’s of use to you.

Gracie
Abigail Sharpe
September 16th, 2010 at 14:24

Gracie, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I have the document ready for when I tackle my next synopsis. I might even do it before I write the book this time!
Gracie
September 16th, 2010 at 14:43

Hi Abigail,

Yes, it’s an *excellent* plotting tool, because you really explore the plot possibilities and conflicts ahead of time!

Have fun!

Gracie
Noreen
September 16th, 2010 at 15:51

Thanks for sharing the information Gracie. I like the idea of a short blurb or longer and your examples and then ‘your turn’ so we can try it out with our story.
Noreen
Gracie
September 16th, 2010 at 16:06

Hi Noreen,

Yes, the fun part is applying something to your own work.

Thanks for the feedback.

Gracie
G. Jillian Stone
September 17th, 2010 at 03:51

Really enjoyed the tips and the thoughtful way you organized the process. What is kind of comical is my story development process is essentially the same only backwards! Really! I begin with a twelve to fourteen page synopsis, then I boil it down to six, three, a one-pager, a blurb, and then finally the log line!!!!

Early on I also develop character profiles of the heroine, hero and the antagonist (I write romantic suspense, so there is often a bad guy/girl)

After I write the first four chapters I tweak the plot again. I find it is only by actually getting in the character’s head that I know if the plot elements need adjustment/enhancement.
Robin W.
September 17th, 2010 at 04:08

Thanks so much, Gracie. I found the section on “thinking as a buyer” exceptionally helpful, but the entire PDF was excellent.

Thanks again,
R
Gracie
September 17th, 2010 at 08:06

Hi Gillian,

Isn’t it amazing how individual processes work and develop?

I have friends who sit down and write an outline of their entire book first, others who have to write themselves into the characters and the story and feel a migraine coming on if they even *see* the word “outline”, others who use a combination of the the two processes–with additions, and still others who find that each book requires a different combination of processes to bring it all together.

It’s this personality-type difference that means there will never be a “one size fits all” answer to any problem. Especially to any problem with the creative process. The main thing is to find something that works for you, and it sounds as though you have.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Gracie
Gracie
September 17th, 2010 at 08:24

Hi Robin,

I’m glad it was helpful.

Like most writers I didn’t like the whole idea of marketing. I’d write them, but selling my books was to be someone else’s job. Then, a couple of years ago, I decided I wasn’t doing myself or my future career any favors by refusing to tackle this crucial aspect to my business. And now? It’s fun. Really. it is.

Any writer is used to putting herself into someone else’s head. With marketing that is (essentially) what you’re doing; finding out your potential buyer’s perceived need, making sure your product meets that perceived need (and as many other associated needs as possible), and then tweaking your advertising (in our case, our marketing documents) so that the buyer can see how buying our product will benefit her.

The main thing is: Be Honest. Always deliver in your book what you promise in your synopsis.

Gracie
Sharon Sherry
September 30th, 2010 at 00:07

Dear Gracie

The wonderful Kylie Griffin directed me to your website… and I’ve directed my critique groupon over as well. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. The dreaded synopsis will be dreaded no more – unless my story really has no substance.

It’s very kind and gracious of you to share your learnings in such an easy-to-follow way that really illustrates why this concept works.

Happy writing.
Gracie
September 30th, 2010 at 07:30

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for coming back and leaving a comment. I appreciate hearing how it’s working, and I’m thrilled that it’s helping so many people.
The very best of luck with your synopsis writing!

Gracie