By Chris Rogers
Summarizing your story at dinner to entertain
friends is easy.
You make it sound exciting. But when you sit down to write a
synopsis, you get brain-freeze.
No
worries. For a quick, exciting synopsis, answer these 9 Questions:
1.
Who?
Who is your hero, what does s/he want (goal), and what stops him from getting
it (conflict)?
Show briefly the hero's ordinary
world—family, career, location—whatever is pertinent to the story. Start
strong, no extraneous details, but if the character must overcome a problem to
find love, it’s important to show the strength—belief, skill, knowledge,
etc—that carries the hero forward.
2.
Why?
Why does s/he care and what are the stakes? This answer provides the
catapulting decision that thrusts the hero into the story. Imagine a bridge
between the hero’s natural world and the story world filled with chaos and
conflict. Across the bridge is a carousel, where the hero can grasp the brass
ring—the story goal.
3.
What? What immediate conflicts prevent
the hero from grabbing the brass ring? The first time the carousel circles, the
ring is out of reach. She stands on the horse for better reach, about to grab
it, but a carnival clown walks by and gets in the way. Still standing, the hero
reaches again. Another carousel rider knocks her off the horse.
Note: Conflicts must escalate in intensity.
Describe major obstacles as the hero encounters them. Introduce the nemesis,
the person who most stands in the way of your hero achieving the story goal. If
the person's name is known from the beginning, introduce this character by
name. If not, then by deed.
4.
What
new information kills off former assumptions? This is the midpoint, where
stories tend to sag unless given an extra punch. Show the story spinning in a
new direction. Introduce additional characters only if they impact the
narrative, naming only those who play a major role.
5.
What
new story question emerges? Show
what the hero is thinking, planning, based on new information presented at the midpoint—and
remind us of the ticking clock.
6.
What new conflicts arise? Remember to
use escalating tension. Make sure each new question or problem is more
exciting, devastating, insurmountable than the last, but keep it sketchy.
7.
What
final devastating blow raises the stakes? This is the hero’s lowest moment,
when all is lost and there seems no way out. Give more word space to this
final—and most traumatic—obstacle.
8.
What
decision triggers the climax? What strength does the hero draw on to get
back into the fight.
9.
What is
the final conflict? Yes, you should always reveal the ending to agents and
editors. Describe what happens, who is involved, and the outcome, but wrap it
up simple and fast.
Revise and Polish...The answers to these nine questions will help you tell your
story in the concise manner an agent or editor expects.
Mold your answers into
paragraphs and add a few zinger details.
_________________________________________________________________
Chris Rogers began her journey as a graphic designer. With
the advent of computerized graphics and an economic downturn, she was faced
with a difficult choice: either learn this new electronic design tool or choose
a new career. She began looking at what that new career might be – writing and
illustrating children’s books? Travel writing and photography? She tried her
hand at each, and sold her photo-illustrated articles to regional and national
publications, but before she was fully committed in any direction, a fire
gutted her studio. After salvaging a single drawing table from the ruins, she
continued creating marketing materials for clients while seeking a new path in
the literary world. Many rejections later, her stories began to win awards. A
major publisher produced her suspense novels in print, electronic, and audio
formats. Lauded by fans and critics, the books were translated into three
languages, and the series was optioned for film. While continuing to explore
the literary venue, Rogers inevitably embraced the creative form of paint on
canvas, which allows her narrative flair and graphic origins to unfold in
unison. While creating new canvases, she often participates in the design of
her book covers. Her book, Goosing the Write Brain: A Storyteller's Toolkit. Rogers
frequently speaks for writers conferences and her writing instruction can be
found on YouTube. Www.Chrisrogers.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crnovelist
Chris Rogers on Creative Writing - http://youtu.be/bmsIrt6jI1k
Add Surprise &Suspense to Your Creative Writing - http://youtu.be/L8dNr1rO7ek
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