As you can see from the word meter over there, I'm at just over 8700 words since 11/1 - which means I'm behind. Bleh. At the end of the 6th day of NaNo, I should be rounding 10K - so roughly 1300 behind with another 1667 added in for today. My NaNo buddies are doing great with Julie, Michelle and Elana all over 10K and Melissa in the lead at 31K. WOW, you go girls. You are all rockstar writing machines.
Of course, with the words the other gals are churning out, I should probably be freaking out about now, but I'm not going to. I still have the majority of the month left, and as long as nothing trips me up, I'll be fine. Which leads me to this week's excuses:
Excuse #1 - I've been fighting this lingering chest/sinus thing.
Excuse #2 - I got Diana Peterfreund's Ascendant in from the library and you can't really just put that book down - even if it's to write your own.
Excuse #3 - the Illinios @ Michigan game went into 3 overtimes. (Go Blue!)
Yeah, lame excuses. I know. I'll do better this week. I promise... Except...
Today's excuses in advance:
- I have to create Daughter's homeschool transcript for sending along to the college she's applying to. (ETA: DONE)
AND
(wait for it)
- I got a partial request last night and this agent is very specific in what she wants from me. So, even though I thought I had the right materials already created, like a 3pg synopsis and a 1pg synopsis, I now have to write a 2pg synopsis. :shrug: It'll probably take me the better part of today to get that just right. (ETA: DONE and SENT)
But that doesn't matter because I got a partial request!! :snoopy dance:
How are things in your world? What are your excuses this week, or did you not need any?
Showing posts with label synopsis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label synopsis. Show all posts
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Collapse
Synopsizing weekend is finally over. It's done. Daughter has read it through and provided insight. At three pages, it's as clear and concise as it's going to get without some major surgery. Oh, and a full frontal lobotomy for me.
Now I must collapse.
:thud:
Now I must collapse.
:thud:
Friday, October 8, 2010
Synopsizing the TBI Way
What can I say about synopsizing? I mean, other than I seriously dislike the process. Well, one thing I can say is that even after writing what feels like a million of the damn things, I can't remember how to do it. Seriously. Sometimes my TBI* really messes with me, and this is one of those times.
Writing a synopsis is a learned skill. Supposedly they get easier with every one you write. Except when you can't remember how you did it last time. And it's not like there's a set of instructions lying around for the process.
So, here's the process I eventually settled on - which, oddly enough, is similar to my writing process:
Sit down.
Open a new document.
Begin at the beginning.
Write until you get to the end.
Fix it later.
Yesterday I banged out the synopsis through chapter 20 of the 32 existing chapters. I haven't looked at what I wrote, but I know it's huge and unwieldy. As it stands I have 7 double-spaced pages of crap. The only bright spark to this exercise is I'm not seeing anything wrong with the manuscript itself. The plot lines are all flowing nicely, and without any tangles to trip a reader.
I'll get the first draft done today and spend the weekend tweaking it into some manageable length. Monday is for querying.
ETA: It's done. 13 pages of the ugliest mess to ever grace this screen. :cue music: I can rebuild it. I have the technology. LOL... here's hoping it becomes the six-million dollar synopsis. ;o)
*TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury
Writing a synopsis is a learned skill. Supposedly they get easier with every one you write. Except when you can't remember how you did it last time. And it's not like there's a set of instructions lying around for the process.
So, here's the process I eventually settled on - which, oddly enough, is similar to my writing process:
Sit down.
Open a new document.
Begin at the beginning.
Write until you get to the end.
Fix it later.
Yesterday I banged out the synopsis through chapter 20 of the 32 existing chapters. I haven't looked at what I wrote, but I know it's huge and unwieldy. As it stands I have 7 double-spaced pages of crap. The only bright spark to this exercise is I'm not seeing anything wrong with the manuscript itself. The plot lines are all flowing nicely, and without any tangles to trip a reader.
I'll get the first draft done today and spend the weekend tweaking it into some manageable length. Monday is for querying.
ETA: It's done. 13 pages of the ugliest mess to ever grace this screen. :cue music: I can rebuild it. I have the technology. LOL... here's hoping it becomes the six-million dollar synopsis. ;o)
*TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Whoops
SYNOPSIZING
Yep, time to take a 97 1/2 K novel and boil it down to three pages. No wonder I forgot. I was probably repressing this part of the process. I really don't like it. If I could get away with not doing it, I would. (And I tried once before... Let's just say, laziness never turns out well.)
So, in addition to doing agent research, I'll be working on my synopsis. Yay.
What are you up to these days?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Whittling Words
If you've ever written a synopsis, you know how hard they can be. Try to cram 100K words worth of story into 6-10 pages, while still keeping your voice and making it interesting. It ain't easy, lemme tell ya.
Then take your 6 page synopsis and whittle it down to 2 pages. Now there's some mental exertion for ya. Well, that's what I spent a large portion of time doing today. Snip here, slash there, and always tweak tweak tweak. Ugh. Anyway, it's done. Or at least I think it is. I'll take another look at it tomorrow to make sure it doesn't blow chunks before I send it off with a query to the one agent on my list who asks for such a short synopsis up front.
Gah.
Gotta do it if I want to win. If I have to turn my book into a friggin' haiku because it's in someone's submission requirements, I'll do it.
On the bright side, now I have it if anyone else asks for a 1-2 pager.
No wonder people call these things a sucknopsis. Sheesh.
What were you up to this fine day? Anything on the agenda for tomorrow? Personally, I'll be looking the synopsis over and then shooting off the query. Then I've got some school stuff and personal stuff before I hit the keys again tomorrow night.
Right now, I'm done hitting the keys, so I think I'll hit the sack. Nighters.
Then take your 6 page synopsis and whittle it down to 2 pages. Now there's some mental exertion for ya. Well, that's what I spent a large portion of time doing today. Snip here, slash there, and always tweak tweak tweak. Ugh. Anyway, it's done. Or at least I think it is. I'll take another look at it tomorrow to make sure it doesn't blow chunks before I send it off with a query to the one agent on my list who asks for such a short synopsis up front.
Gah.
Gotta do it if I want to win. If I have to turn my book into a friggin' haiku because it's in someone's submission requirements, I'll do it.
On the bright side, now I have it if anyone else asks for a 1-2 pager.
No wonder people call these things a sucknopsis. Sheesh.
What were you up to this fine day? Anything on the agenda for tomorrow? Personally, I'll be looking the synopsis over and then shooting off the query. Then I've got some school stuff and personal stuff before I hit the keys again tomorrow night.
Right now, I'm done hitting the keys, so I think I'll hit the sack. Nighters.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Changes
No, not the old Yes song - that's entirely too depressing. I'm talking about making changes in your own life. Hey, life's all about change, right? It all depends on whether we embrace change or hide from it.
I admit it, I'm not a huge one for change. I like things how I like them, and that's that. To use one of my husband's euphemism's, I like to know where my water dish is at. (If you've ever had a pet, you know they don't like it when you move their dishes.) I guess it has to do with my past more than anything - with some major help from my mother.
The first eighteen years of my life were pretty unchanging. We lived in the same house, I went to the same school, I knew all the same people. Hell, I even had the same dog for a majority of that time. Looking at that, it's easy to see why change and I don't get along. If you add in all the change that's occurred since I turned 18, you see another set of reasons why I might not be so open to it.
College is change. Becoming a single mother was a major life change. And then there was my car accident - which changed things in ways I never would've imagined (even now, I'm seeing the long-term results of that sucker). I've been through relationship changes and residence changes too numerous to mention. Now I can feel myself just wanting for everything to remain the same.
I don't want change in my life anymore. I'm content just staying in my little hermitage and allowing life to move on around me.
But life doesn't work that way. Change is a necessary part of existence. You either change or you stagnate. If I had opted against change five years ago, I'd still be living in Utah - single and unhappy. I'd be working an unsatisfying job and dreaming of being a writer instead of actually writing.
There's an old quote I was reminded of yesterday: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. I think it came to mind after reading Dr. Hurd's Daily Dose of Reason - specifically Sunday's post called The Road to Insanity and Back - wherein he reminds readers of another quote: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over while still expecting different results." Or maybe it came to mind after reading Kristen Painter's post yesterday at The Fictionistas called The Power of Change. Maybe it's just that change seems to be in the air. It is Spring after all.
Anyway, I think I see the point. I've been falling into my old habits, and refusing to accept the necessary changes life demands. I made the decision last night to try and break free. I need to make some changes, even if they're small ones.
Starting with getting into the habit of exercising. While I've been sitting on my ever-widening butt avoiding change, my body has been slowly changing on its own. You know you need a change when none of your pants fit. (Except for sweat pants, and... well... yuck, who wants to wear those in public.)
I also recognized that I need to change my approach to this writing career. I need to take myself and my writing more seriously, or no one else is going to. I need to make a schedule and stick to it - no matter what might be on TV or whether I feel like it.
How's your relationship with change? Is it something you like, or something you look forward to like a root canal? Think about your own situation. Is there some change you need to make to enhance your life?
I admit it, I'm not a huge one for change. I like things how I like them, and that's that. To use one of my husband's euphemism's, I like to know where my water dish is at. (If you've ever had a pet, you know they don't like it when you move their dishes.) I guess it has to do with my past more than anything - with some major help from my mother.
The first eighteen years of my life were pretty unchanging. We lived in the same house, I went to the same school, I knew all the same people. Hell, I even had the same dog for a majority of that time. Looking at that, it's easy to see why change and I don't get along. If you add in all the change that's occurred since I turned 18, you see another set of reasons why I might not be so open to it.
College is change. Becoming a single mother was a major life change. And then there was my car accident - which changed things in ways I never would've imagined (even now, I'm seeing the long-term results of that sucker). I've been through relationship changes and residence changes too numerous to mention. Now I can feel myself just wanting for everything to remain the same.
I don't want change in my life anymore. I'm content just staying in my little hermitage and allowing life to move on around me.
But life doesn't work that way. Change is a necessary part of existence. You either change or you stagnate. If I had opted against change five years ago, I'd still be living in Utah - single and unhappy. I'd be working an unsatisfying job and dreaming of being a writer instead of actually writing.
There's an old quote I was reminded of yesterday: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. I think it came to mind after reading Dr. Hurd's Daily Dose of Reason - specifically Sunday's post called The Road to Insanity and Back - wherein he reminds readers of another quote: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over while still expecting different results." Or maybe it came to mind after reading Kristen Painter's post yesterday at The Fictionistas called The Power of Change. Maybe it's just that change seems to be in the air. It is Spring after all.
Anyway, I think I see the point. I've been falling into my old habits, and refusing to accept the necessary changes life demands. I made the decision last night to try and break free. I need to make some changes, even if they're small ones.
Starting with getting into the habit of exercising. While I've been sitting on my ever-widening butt avoiding change, my body has been slowly changing on its own. You know you need a change when none of your pants fit. (Except for sweat pants, and... well... yuck, who wants to wear those in public.)
I also recognized that I need to change my approach to this writing career. I need to take myself and my writing more seriously, or no one else is going to. I need to make a schedule and stick to it - no matter what might be on TV or whether I feel like it.
How's your relationship with change? Is it something you like, or something you look forward to like a root canal? Think about your own situation. Is there some change you need to make to enhance your life?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Synopsis Draft Complete
Six pages and tingling fingers, but it's done. I'll take the old editing freshener to it over the weekend, and it should be as lovely as lilacs in no time.
Meanwhile, it's come to my attention that I may have way too many 'felt' words in my manuscript - and too many occasions of 'it'. I started rectifying that error this morning, and got all the 'felt's dealt with. I'm still work on the 'its'. I'll probably get both the synopsis and the tidying done round about the same time. Then I may finally be ready to start querying. Yay.
(Fear? What fear? We don't gots no stinkin' fear.)
Oh, and on the snow front... We got a friggin' blizzard today. Stupid weather. And they're predicting a possible 'nother five inches by morning. I'll be shoveling my brains out tomorrow morning. Ugh.
How are things with you?
Meanwhile, it's come to my attention that I may have way too many 'felt' words in my manuscript - and too many occasions of 'it'. I started rectifying that error this morning, and got all the 'felt's dealt with. I'm still work on the 'its'. I'll probably get both the synopsis and the tidying done round about the same time. Then I may finally be ready to start querying. Yay.
(Fear? What fear? We don't gots no stinkin' fear.)
Oh, and on the snow front... We got a friggin' blizzard today. Stupid weather. And they're predicting a possible 'nother five inches by morning. I'll be shoveling my brains out tomorrow morning. Ugh.
How are things with you?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Forging Ahead
I've got the fear in a half-Nelson now. It's still trying to get the upper hand, but I think I'm winning. My synopsis is more than two-thirds of the way done now, and although it's still filled with stinkiness, it's there. (Limburger cheese wrapped in sweat socks stinky.) Here's hoping I can finish it up and spray it with Febreeze.
Additionally, I've been plugging agent info into my database with wild abandon. (Okay, not wild - I get a few in and the repetition makes me too sleepy to go on. Worked wonders to get me to bed last night, though.) Life would be easier if I just imported the agents I wanted from the last book's database, but each of those have notes and things attached, and because of the ancient program I use, I have to take all or take none. I chose none. I want a fresh start with this book. Data entry is sleep-inducing, but it's better than the alternative - which is trying to keep track of all my submissions in my head or in hardcopy. Umm... No.
So, with some last minute tweaks and this synopsis that I need to de-stink, it could be a week or two at least before I get to submitting.
Of course, that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that I'm using all these things as an excuse, but I'm trying to remind that little bastard of the pitfalls of sending out a manuscript too soon. We'll battle that out in the steel-cage of my skull over the next few days. If I start talking in a deep villiany voice, you'll know it won. ;o)
Wish me luck.
Additionally, I've been plugging agent info into my database with wild abandon. (Okay, not wild - I get a few in and the repetition makes me too sleepy to go on. Worked wonders to get me to bed last night, though.) Life would be easier if I just imported the agents I wanted from the last book's database, but each of those have notes and things attached, and because of the ancient program I use, I have to take all or take none. I chose none. I want a fresh start with this book. Data entry is sleep-inducing, but it's better than the alternative - which is trying to keep track of all my submissions in my head or in hardcopy. Umm... No.
So, with some last minute tweaks and this synopsis that I need to de-stink, it could be a week or two at least before I get to submitting.
Of course, that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that I'm using all these things as an excuse, but I'm trying to remind that little bastard of the pitfalls of sending out a manuscript too soon. We'll battle that out in the steel-cage of my skull over the next few days. If I start talking in a deep villiany voice, you'll know it won. ;o)
Wish me luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)