Waiting . . . . and the dreaded synopsis

If you’re a writer, you MUST become comfortable with waiting. Or you know, find a way to deal with it. Such as eating every single piece of chocolate you can find in the house, and then moving on to the greasy stuff. Regardless, waiting is hard whether your waiting on hearing back from an agent, publisher or editor, or even if your waiting for your beta readers to get back to you about how much your novel sucks.

Which is what I’m currently doing.

And I’m terrified! NO ONE has ever read my entire novel other than me, myself, and I. I’m so scared that it’s going to be complete and total crap. I’m scared my poor betas are going to e-mail me and say “Oh, sorry, I couldn’t even finish the horrible thing”.

I really, really, beyond anything holy, hope that they say just the opposite. But who knows?

As I wait and I try to avoid chocolate, I’m working on writing my very first synopsis. I’ve deleted at least 5 drafts now. But I’ve kind of managed to knit them all together, and I think I have a good start. My biggest worry right now (not thinking about my poor betas) is that it’s too . . . well, dry. Writers always tell you to SHOW and not TELL. But how can you show in a synopsis? You can’t. So I’ve been trying my best to make this thing exciting.

I’ve also read about a lot of people who’s very first synopsis came out to be around 30 pages! That’s NUTS! From my first draft, I’ve been able to keep mine down to around 700 words. My latest draft is just below 600 words. My secret? Forgetting all of the sub-plots, and ONLY concentrating on the main story line.

So, are there any of you out there in the blogosphere that happen to be great at synopsis writing? What’s your secret? I must know. Any tips, advice, or pointless comments?

Hope your own adventures are going well!

Melanie

Finished!

Okay, I finished the line edits of Familiar Spirit a little later than I planned (a week later), but i’m okay with that.

I finished!

It feels absolutely amazing and liberating. I’m so close to the next step in this long process. Now I just need to make the changes I noted in my printed manuscript in the word document. From there, I’ll be sending the book to a few readers to get their opinion while I begin working on a synopsis and finish my query letter. Can you believe it? I can’t!

I’m really oping I wont have to make too many changes once I hear back from readers–I feel like I’ve finally nailed this book!–but who knows. I’m probably too close to it, and there will probably be a lot of comments to consider.

So, if you have any interest in beta reading for me, feel free to leave a comment.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Smiles!

Melanie

Line Edits

Okay, so, I’m about half way through my line edits of Familiar Spirit! This feeling is wonderful. After so, so so much time spent on this manuscript, it’s nearly finished! Printing out my manuscript and working on line edits has allowed me a chance to read through this story in a way I never have before–it’s almost like a real book! I’ve always concentrated on Familiar Spirit in sections, but now I’m looking at it as a whole. Granted, doing this has caused me to see some slow sections near the beginning that need a good tension-edit, but otherwise, I’m very happy with how it’s come together.

I’ve set a goal for myself too. I want to try to finish these edits by this weekend.

Can I do it?

Sure, if I put my mind to it.

If I make myself sit down and work on it, it shouldn’t take very long. So, that’s my goal. Only a few days left…

Which also means that I’m going to need some beta readers VERY soon! Interested? Leave me a comment.

This entire process is very nerve-wracking. I’m terrified of having people read my work! Terrified it might suck. Terrified it might actually be good.

 

hope you’re all having a good week.

Melanie

Printed Manuscript

Guess what? I finally did it! I printed my entire manuscript.

And MAN!

This thing is HUGE! And Intimidating! And . . . I finally see the light at the end of this long tunnel!

I can edit fine in a word document, but I always seem to catch grammar mistakes easier on paper. I don’t know why, but I do. That was my motivation for printing this brick–line edits.

Yes, I’m to the final stages of editing Familiar Spirit. Finally, after writing and editing on-and-off for three years. It’s been a long road.

Wanna see the brick?

If you’re not a writer, this may not look like much to you. but this thing is 75,000+ words! Imagine writing a college essay that long, and you can understand my excitement. Know how you get stressed thinking about a 10 page essay? Well take a look a the photo above. You might feel better. =)

Line edits, here I come!

Smiles!

Melanie