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What a bleedin' day. For those who have had to etch out a synopsis, I think only you can sympathise with my situation. I am allotted 500 to 1,000 words for the 2017 CWA Debut Dagger Award. I have no problem waffling on; that's how I find it easy to flesh out novels. It's the 'unwaffling' I have a problem with - as we all do, paring down my 105,000 to a minor precis.
I've got the bare bones done, and have given it a 'once over'. Now I'm up to the tried and trusted 'leave-it-for-the-night-and-look-at-it-tomorrow routine. I have two threads of back story running through this one, so it becomes increasingly difficult to slash out the irrelevant. WTF? If it was 'irrelevant' it wouldn't be there in the first place!!
So, I am not really seeking advice, for unless someone has read the MS, none can be offered. I just didn't want to dilute the importance of my work to the 'Rant Thread' where it will be lost among the Jaffa Cakes; swearing; focal lenses; frogs; snails; robots; and the soon to be popular: Hot Cross Buns!!
Comments
I think everyone finds them difficult. Just imagine that you're drowning and before you go under you have to pass on the crux of your novel so that it may live on! Ok, maybe that's a bit too dramatic... but create a similar scenario where time limits what you can say.
I do think it's important to retain your voice in the synopsis to give a flavour of your writing style, and try to give the main plot centre stage, even though there are lots of sub-plots ducking and diving in the background. Can you reduce them to a nutshell sentence or two?
I'm sure you'll have done a great job, PET. Looking at it with fresh eyes is a good idea. There's always lots of advice online about writing them. Maybe you can pick up a few tips.
Good luck!!! %%-
Alternatively, reduce your novel to a piece of flash fiction!
I hope it's meaningful waffle, PET, and not just padding.
No rush, nearly finished. In fine-tuning mode now.