I don't understand how penning a two-hundred page novel can be easier than writing a three-page synopsis ABOUT the aforementioned two-hundred page novel. I scoured the Internet for some small nugget of advice that could inspire me to write an award-winning synopsis. I only came up with these generic tips: 1) Cover only main plot points and characters, 2) Include the end of the book, and 3) Don't be a bore. Gee, thanks!
But, then, it struck me. And it hurt.
Writing is my passion and my joy, I reminded myself. I've turned writing my synopsis into dreary, unsavory (how I hate to say the word!) work. I've been slogging instead of soaring.
And I need to change my mind about it.
It isn't another dull homework assignment. It's creative writing. I can put my own signature twist on it. In high school, my drama teacher gave me creative writing assignments - one of which was to write a piece of advice. Instead of slopping out a paragraph of "do's" and "don'ts", I turned it into Advice Annie's advice column, featuring Failure Fred. And I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.
Writing is about thinking outside the box and bending the rules as far as they'll go. To use Adam Young's words, "I don't use a pen. I write with a goose quill dipped in venom." I can infuse this currently bland synopsis with life and energy and originality. I want to make it mind-blowing.
Ready, set, go!
2 comments:
When I was in First Grade, I discovered what would become one of the hardest things in the world for me to accomplish: writing something short. My mother assigned me to write a report on a book titled, 'The White Stallion'. It was 54 pages long. When all was said and done, my book report was 16 pages.
When I was in High School, my teachers quickly discovered my 'handicap'. I remember one telling me, 'Katani, you suffer from diarrhea of the pen!'
When I was in college, my journalism professor often had to remind me that news story leads COULD NOT be three paragraphs long.
Luckily, for me, Facebook is slowly curing me of my disease. Only 420 characters for a status update?! I suppose somebody was going to have to reign me in eventually. :)
Anyway...good luck!
Thank you, Katani! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a problem with brevity!! Haha!
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