Three weeks ago, my agent asked for a 2-page synopsis of God Never Answers, my dramatic comedy in many acts--or my comedic drama in many acts. He sees the comedy, I see it more as an absurdist drama. Regardless, he finally finished the book, said he loved it, but wants me to work on the last 200 pages or so--says there's not enough comedy in it.
The reason I mention this is that it's given me a reprieve on the goddamn synopsis. I've been all over the internet reading articles, and I come away more confused than before. One article suggests writing the synopsis before you write the book, which would be a great idea except for the fact that I can't write from an outline...never have. Not even speeches, articles, strategic plans, whatever.
I'm so confused I'm not even sure what a "plot" is anymore. (Going to have to look that up.)
What makes it so difficult for any writer is that the synopsis is like the back blurb on a published novel--it's how you hook the editor/publisher into wading through the first 30 or so pages. I'm pretty good at starting off a novel with a good hook--now, but there's this little kid in me lying on the floor, kicking his feet and banging his fists, screaming, "I don't wanna, I don't wanna, you can't make me."
I'll keep looking for a good description of how to write one of these dreaded things, and if I find it, I'll put a link to it here. Likewise, if any of the three of you who read this know of one, please let me know.
Actually, I'm laughing right now. Over a one year period, I wrote two novels--over 1200 pages. And I can't write a stupid 2-page summary of one of them. Ah, what fools these writers be!
<i>Technorati tags:</i>
<a href=http://technorati.com/tag/writing rel="tag">writing</a>,
<a href=http://technorati.com/tag/editing rel="tag">editing</a>,
<a href=http://technorati.com/tag/synopsis rel="tag">synopsis</a>,
<a href=http://technorati.com/tag/literary+agents rel="tag">literary agents</a>,
<a href=http://technorati.com/tag/publishing rel="tag">publishing</a>
