How to Write a Short Synopsis: Quick Tips

#Wwow - Writer's Words of Wisdom

Finishing a book is not the end. An author who wants to take their book through the traditional publishing route will have to write a synopsis and a query letter. This is a different type of writing and many writers find it difficult. 

Since I  finished writing a one-page synopsis for my newest book, Frequent Flyer, I thought I'd share several online resources I found  helpful, particularly for romance authors.

http://www.moodymuses.com/2011/10/barbs-musing-as-requested-how-i-write.html#more

http://www.charlottedillon.com/SynopsisSamples.html

http://lisagardner.com/writers-toolbox

There are tons of books out there on the topic, as I'm sure you've seen. But who has time to read them? I just jumped right in. 

My Top 10 Words of Advice for Writing a Synopsis:

1) Have a strong opening sentence. Just like in your novel, you want to catch an editor's attention with a hook.

2) Introduce your characters. Don't make it boring... Susy is a 30-something single mom. Blah! Give us some punch to it. Show the editor who the character is. 

3) Include the key components of your novel: hero/heroine, the set up, romantic conflict, character motivation, the black moment and the resolution.

4) In a one-page synopsis, it's impossible to include every detail of your chapters.In fact, I would think editors don't want a summary of each chapter, anyway.  Find a good way to include the essentials (see list above) in a way that will engage the editor. Describe the major plot points, not each scene. The goal is to give a sketch of your entire manuscript, in fewer words.

5) Don't ask questions. Will Amanda discover a renewed love for Jake? This doesn't work. The editor wants the answers, not the question.

6) Stay focused. Don't change POV's and stay in the same verb tense 

7) Don't forget to tell the ending. Editors want to know how the story ends. Don't leave them hanging.

8) Choose your words carefully. When you write your manuscript, you hopefully choose precise words. You want to do the same in the synopsis. 

9) Voice is important. If you write a romantic comedy, then your synopsis should show that. This is the time to give the editor a clue on what type of writer you are... if you're funny, you better show it.

10) Don't stress. Write your synopsis out as if someone asked you to tell them your story. Then go back and see how you can improve. Edit it just like you'd edit your manuscript.

WoW is a Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who host this weekly feature each Wednesday.

While we don't claim to be experts, the goal is to impart what we've learned about 

writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

Follow along and read all this week's contributors' posts.

Paloma Beck: http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW

Tammy Dennings Maggy: http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/

Lacey Wolfe: http://laceywolfe.com/blog.html

You can follow us on twitter at #WWoW.

Or find us on facebook at Words of Wisdom.

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Romance Tropes Poll - What are Your Favorites?

Some things never change and that rings true for the romance genre. In category romance, there are timeless romance tropes. Check out these older romances with obvious tropes:

Marriage of Convenience

Office romance

Love Triangle, Girl Next Door

Admittingly, I have my favorites. In fact, anytime I find a category romance with a Boy Next Door or Friends to Lovers theme, I immediately grab it. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't like those books where you can guess what happens from page one. I like a little mixture of tropes, to make the story line more complex and the characters believable.

Recent examples of my favorite tropes include:

Let Me Be the One 

by Bella Andre

Trope: Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush

Head over Heels 

by Jill Shalvis

Trope: Opposites Attract

The Marriage Bargain

The Marriage Mistake

by Jennifer Probst

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Tempting the Best Man

by J. Lynn

Trope: Best Friend's Sister

As I finish up my latest WIP, other ideas form in my head. I don't usually let myself dwell on new ideas until I finish with one. However, there are characters in those deep dark cushions of my brain waiting to get out. With that in mind, I thought I'd ask my blog readers' opinions. What are your favorite tropes? Use the poll below and help me out with a new idea! 

Check back for the results as they come in. Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Marry me? Fun Proposals!

I am a surfer. Not that kind! I surf the net ALL the time. One of my favorite places is Pinterest. Have you been there? If not, check out my page and see what it's all about.  On Pinterest, I often see brides planning their weddings. Since I've already been there done that, I just look at the pics to dream and possibly use in a future story.

Doing research for future stories is a lot of fun. One thing I researched in the past week was different ways to propose. Every girl dreams of it. So, I thought I'd share some cute proposals. Which are your faves?

I think I would eat it before noticing the ring! 

At least I'd have my coffee first!

Perfect for a Potter nerd, like me.

Possibly using this idea!

I just love this picture! Pure romance!

Takes some planning.

Sweet!

And my latest fave: I saw this on the news. The most frightening proposal ever!

Do you have a proposal idea? What story do you have? 

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Marriage and Romance?

Monday Funny, September 24, 2012

I've been married for 16 years. It's hard to believe really. I met my husband when I was 19 years old. NINETEEN! I was just a baby. We dated throughout college and then I moved to his home country when we graduated. We married and have lived a wonderful life so far. Rafael is my best friend, my go-to person, my funny-man, my dreamer, my soul mate.

Why am I sharing this? I think the cartoon says it all. Many people think that as a marriage moves on, the romance dies. I have to say that our marriage is stronger than it was 16 years ago. I feel so lucky!

I'm going to sound even more corny now. Being a romance writer and reader has a lot to do with why my marriage is even better.  Romance is always alive in me! Always. When I am reading a sweet romance, I feel all squishy inside. It makes me appreciate all that I have. When I am writing romance, I feel the same. The butterflies form in my belly as if I am really living through my scene. Then I look over and see my husband.... Wow! I'm so lucky. I actually have that!

So, today's funny is dedicated to marriage and romance. We romance writers have to keep it alive. If we can help a couple feel and dream about romance, then I think we've done part of our job.

Here's to romance in our lives! 

And since this is a Monday funny, I will share some cute cartoons related to Romance and Marriage. Enjoy!

Melinda

Best Movie Kisses

I think it's a given since I write and read romances that I love romantic movies. My favorite parts, of course, are the romantic kisses. Since I'm in the middle of writing my "first kiss" scene between two new MCs,  I thought I'd share my favorite movie kisses.

Sixteen Candles

The Notebook

Dear John

Pride and Prejudice

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Titanic

Bridget Jones Diary

The Last Song

I could go on forever! What kiss is your favorite? Which movie has the best kiss scene?

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

What's your romance novel name?

Have you seen this "romance novel name" around on the web? Too funny not to share!

And just because I'm feeling the love (McLovin), leave your romance novel name in the comments section of the rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle copy of one of my fave summer reads, The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst! Ends on Monday, August 6.

My Romance Novel Name is: Heidi McKitten.

Thanks to Susan Mallery for this funny.

The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst

A marriage in name only...

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend's older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart.

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he offers Alexa a bold proposition.

A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?

Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans…  (Taken from www.amazon.com)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hashtags for Writers

I started to use Twitter as a writer a few months ago. I am still learning as there is no limit to all that we can do. So, this post is for those of you who are new to using Twitter, in particular, hashtags. Those tech savvy people may want to skip this, since it may bore you to tears. 

When I used Twitter as a writer rather than a personal user, I noticed more #hashtags. First, what are hashtags? Hashtags are keywords used to categorize tweets prefixed with a hash or pound symbol (#). Some tweets are full of hashtags and I am still learning what the point of that is. However, I decided to do some research about which hashtags are useful to a writer. Here are the ones I like:

#writetip

#pubtip

#amediting

#amwriting

#askagent

#author

#fictionfriday

#novels

#selfpublishing

#wip work in progress

#wordcount

#writegoal

#writequote

#writer

#writing

#writingpromp

#wrotetoday 


#ww or #writerwednesday

Example of #amediting tweets:

Lindsey Donner ‏@lindsey_donner

Trying to take a day off is harder than just working. But those spare ribs won't grill themselves tomorrow... #amediting

Expand

•  Reply 
•  Retweet 
•  Favorite

57mDanielle Ellison ‏@DanielleEWrites

Wow. I am still editing. I can't believe it's 10pm. I just love reading this book! It's the best kind of work!! #amediting

Expand

•  Reply 
•  Retweet 
•  Favorite

Hashtags are also a way to increase views of your tweets and possible new followers. Another cool feature of using hastags is an agreed upon chat time. One of my favorites is Monday nights between 7-9pm  #mancandymonday. I found this doc with an exhaustive list of chats about any subject. Check it out! 


Additionally, I discovered tweetdeck.com. What an awesome tool for a social networker. Again, I am new to this. However, I recently discovered that you can create a column in Tweetdeck using a hashtag that you reference a lot. For instance, if I want to see #writetip comments only, those tweets are shown that have the hashtag. See below:

Modified Editing @shellrgh

• Reply
 
• Retweet
 
• Favorite
 
• ·More

RT @sirra_girl: #writetip When describing one's physical characteristic, don't list every detail all at once. It will read like an ID card. Too obvious.

Lee Heath @LeeHeath215m

RT @JonathanGunson: Discovered: Tolkien's Top 10 Tips for Writersbit.ly/MRO9NG Outstanding post by@RogerDColby #WriteTip #Writers#AmWriting

In the end, I believe using hashtags is a useful way for a writer to find advice, connect with other writers and find new followers. Try it out!

Thanks for stopping by,
Melinda

Monday Funny for Romance Writers 5/7/12

Another week has begun! And like many people...I hate Mondays. So, I have a Monday funny to hopefully give you a "pick me up" for the day.

This particular video is for those romance writers, like me, who write unforgettable male heroes. They are gentlemen, kind, sweet, witty and wise. Well, what happens after the book is done? Do these heroes stay heroes?

Enjoy!

Have a happy Monday!

Melinda

Booking Through Thursday 4/19/12

Today is Booking Through Thursday. Each week a question related to reading is posted and bloggers answer on Thursdays. Click the link above to participate!


This week's question:


What are your literary “pet peeves”?

I love this question! Everyone has a pet peeve, but I never thought of them in terms of literature. But, of course I have some. I would say that I hate it when people assume I am not a "real" reader or writer because I read and write romance. Romance is a real genre, people!

When I was 13, I picked up my first Harlequin Superromance novel in Krogers supermarket. I can't even remember the title, but the author was Dawn Stewardson. I thought, "What the heck." I had never been introduced to the romance genre and usually just read what was assigned at school. But, this book rocked my world and turned my reading life around. How can that not be real literature? If it changes someone's life.... it is!

This was one of the first Superromance books I read and loved as a teenager.

And by the way, since I'm ranting, just because I write romance, doesn't mean I'm not a real writer. It is just as hard as any other type of writing. We still have to build our characters, build romantic suspense or tension and have those inner and outer conflicts. I am proud to be a romance author and know I work hard!

So, why don't you go and pick up a good romance book and enjoy the reading. It was damn hard writing! (Nathaniel Hawthorne)