Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:55 pm | Permalink | 8 Comments | Viewed 732 times
Cut, cut, slash, slash
I cut an 8 page synopsis down to 1 single-spaced page tonight. 
I decided to enter one of my historicals into the Editor panel for the PRO retreat at the RWA National Conference, and you aren’t allowed to do more than a page. Let me tell you, slashing that synopsis was quite the experience. A terrifying one. And a good one. I’d recommend that everybody try it at some point.
It forces you to cut out 
every last bit of fat from your synopsis. There is no room for subplots, period. You have room for the GMC (goal, motivation, and conflict) of the hero and heroine, one paragraph for romance, and one paragraph for resolution. I’m still amazed that I managed to do this. Yes, in Courier 12 pt font, one inch margins.
Now I’m wondering if I should just use this shorter synopsis in future submissions. Maybe that’s the way to go. Who wants to read 8 pages of plot summary, anyway?? I’ve always wondered how to write a 1-page synopsis–and now I’ve actually done one. Some people do character sketches and a blurb about the conflict, but to me, that’s not really a synopsis–it’s back cover copy. I mean, what do you do? Write this killer blurb, then write a sentence that says…then stuff happens…then it all comes out right in the end?? I don’t think so.
Anyway, I hope the editors on the panel don’t look at the synopsis and scream–”My God! Could she have packed in ANY MORE DESCRIPTION???” 
I sent her a proposal aimed at Flipside (before the line died) and she wrote the most positive, encouraging rejection letter I’ve ever received. Basically it said something to the effect of–you’re a great writer, I love your voice, but this story doesn’t fit Flipside. Send me something else. I think I reread that rejection letter 40 times, because it didn’t feel like a rejection letter. So she’s an editor who is a Nice person. 
