Difficult Homework and Myspace question- this is not a complaint

I love my publisher. They're interested and it sounds like my book will be a high priority. The timeline for release may be somewhat delayed, but I'm hoping not. They sent me a link to look at their cover artist's work, and were kind enough to ask if I preferred a different artist. Which is one reason I think they're great to work with.

I'm not complaining about homework. Lol- finishing the series is homework.
Whatever it takes to get things done I'll do. They want me to work closely with their editor, which I think is a bonus. But the publisher also just gave me a difficult homework assignment. They want a synopsis for every book in the series. I gave them a projected number. Although I wrote out most of the story, it's in rough form and large parts have to be entirely changed.

I think they want to make sure that each story is constructed in such a way to stand alone. And that is my goal in the edits.

I have to admit, for whatever reason, the synopsis is a beastly thing for me to do. I'm thinking of asking if they'd accept just a running synopsis of key points throughout the story, so they can have the basic storyline. I know the story well enough. I can give a chapter by chapter synopsis of at least the first three novels. (They already have book one) But so much has to be changed from books 4 on that I can't really do that with them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Oh, and if you are a Myspacer, let me know if you have difficulty opening my Blog. I may have to delete a bit of the graphics. If you are patient enough to get through, any suggestions for which pics/photos you'd prefer to see deleted, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Nate

www.Myspace.com/poetnate

III said:

Hi Nate. We're already friends on MySpace , but I just checked out your page again and it took forever to load. Wayyyy too many graphics on the main page, both from a loadtime perspective and a readability perspective. I'd recommend making a few photo albums and putting most of the graphics in there and only showcasing two or three photos on the main page.

Just out of curiosity, who's your publisher?

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Thanks for the thoughts. Is there a way to download right off of Photobucket??? Alot of my pics on my page are on my Photobucket.

III said:

Not that I know of. I think you can only upload to the MySpace photo album from your hard drive.

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I just deleted about five pics and one piece of Html that was incomplete.

jennhollowell said:

I had the same problem. The thing that bothers me with MySpace is, I don't have much going on in my profile AT ALL and it STILL takes forever to load . . . so, it's likely a stupid MySpace load time thing. I don't know, though. It annoys me, though, because I like how easy it is to edit and update. *sighs* Anyway, I couldn't see what you have on there.
I was wondering this, as well.

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Hi Jenna. I've found I've been having problems opening other people's myspace. It's sad because I'm like those who are trying to reach me. After awhile I just stop waiting.

It makes me wonder if Myspace is being overworked??? I know in some cases, my friends have so many graphics it just adds up??? I think it includes the graphics on our comments section, if you get lots of cards???

Jenn, I'll send you a PM regarding your question.

otterman said:

Nate, I'm really interested in the kinds of advice, feedback, and final decisions made regarding your series - especially the stand alone issue for each novel. I'm almost finished my WIP, which is the first book in a duology/dilogy and I know I'm going to run into the same issue. I'm sure you're feeling the crunch right now and I certainly don't want to be a pain, but any information would be much appreciated. Feel free to pm me at your convenience. Hope you get the advice you need. There are many experienced people here; I'm sure you will. Good luck.

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Lol- I'm willing to give all kinds of advice. I'd say the biggest thing is to believe in the story enough to do whatever it takes to make it work.

It's hard to admit this, but I could write a book on what not to do, because I think I made every possible mistake possible.

There are two sides to a dream. That side that is really birthed deep within, that is possible, and there is the "American Idol" dream that is wishful thinking. My advice is to let people hear you sing. I had to show my story when it stunk. Enough people confirmed it was worth fighting to make it work, but there were also others who were kind enough to be honest.

And so, I'd go from encouraged to utter despair. In fact at one time I thought there was just a fatal flaw in my writing and I'd never get published. This was after an agent looked at the story twice and said I was too wordy. But I was too wordy and I had to figure out how to fix that.

Yikes, this is so general, but it's true. If a story is a great story, it's worth fighting for. That means overcoming flaws- I had many. It means listening to some gag on your writing. But along the way enough people said they though it was a great story to keep me fighting until someone that mattered also though it was a great story.

Kaytie said:

I have a dachshund like that one! (Only, mine's smaller.)

Your profile loaded quickly for me, but I have faster than average Internet connection so am not a good judge in that respect. I agree with the others above, resize the photos. Also, you might consider rotating through your favorites so that you have only one photo at a time. It will keep your page fresh and give people reasons to come back, always a good thing.


As for your synopsis, it's perfectly okay for you to clarify with your publisher what they'll want. Maybe they only want one-page synopses for future books. Maybe they only want one big synopsis for the main story.

This is definitely the kind of thing you could ask your agent first, if you have one, or ask the editor you'll be working with. Anything we say here is just guessing because we can't know what your publisher wants.

Also, congratulations! Having interest in a series is exciting stuff!

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Thanks. I think you're right about honesty.

I did give them a general synopsis of the series in the beginning. They read two whole novels. But the first book was a transitional story and not a part of the series. I'm willing to do whatever they ask, but I'd rather continue to write the books. 2-3 are written, but just need to be refined. I really worried about whether they'd like these as much as book one. I just re-read the opening for book two and I like it better than book one. But I want to go through and make some changes to make sure no parts drag. In doing so that means changing chapter structures.

The hard thing about what they're asking- a chapter by chapter of all the books, is that I know where the story goes, but also know that massive changes need to be made.

icerose said:

I tackle the synopsis by doing bullet points. What is needed to convey the meaning I want? I line them out, then I add in fillers to spice itup. It's so much easier and clearer than just trying to flat out write it. It also ensures you stay on task and you don't wander in your explanation.

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When they asked how big the series is, I had to guess. I'd written out the whole story, but other than the first three books, it's a mess that needs to be fixed. I just wanted to know I could finish the story and wrote it out. But in rewrites everything changes and I didn't know if it would wind up longer or shorter. One is done. Two and three only need to be refined. But it's a big story and projecting beyond that, I can basically only give them bullet points, but not in a chapter by chapter format.

grommet said:

Nate,

I had to synopsis for my series as well. The number of books I have is open ended (four are contracted are so far) so this may not be equivalent to your situation. However, what I turned in was about a 5-7 page synopsis of each book. So far I've ended up altering things a great deal once I actually sat down to write the full novels (and do the research, which was often the impetus for changing things), though the the story arcs that are carried through the series remain the same. The later in the series I go, the thinner my synopses were I think that's to be expected. My editor has been fine with that so far.

They probably just want to know that you know where you're going with the series. I wouldn't stress too much about the synopsis being a precise accounting of every storyline you're going to write, but I think your instincts about asking if you can provide "key points" is a good one. Just go ahead and ask.

Hope that helps!

grommet

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That helps a great deal, and sounds very logical. If they want, I can tell them the story arc in great detail. The odd thing is that being forced to write a synopsis the first time helped me see weaknesses in my story, where there was too much telling and not enough showing.

And that stuck with me, so that when I look at books two and three, there's this mental sense of when things start to bog down- which leads to me making changes which I think strengthens the story. A synopsis is a great device, though I hate writing them.

Thanks so much for sending these links. It's very much appreciated.

JerseyGirl1962 said:

Nate,

Some ideas:

How to Write a Synopsis

The Deadly Synopsis

Synopsis vs. Outline

Synopsis (this is actually a page of synopsis links)

Sounds like you have a great place for your story. Good luck!

~Nancy

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otterman said:

What tips can you offer (through the input you've received from your agent and publisher) about ensuring a novel in a series can stand alone? I'm worried my WIP will be rejected because it is the first book of a two part series.

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There are two interrelated issues with my stories- books and depending on success, movies. Obviously this changes the stakes for all involved, because there will be higher investments and risks. Yes, that's exciting, but also stressful, because they can't afford to let me fall, or this creates a domino effect if they're investing in me. If our hopes (mine and theres) are realized this story will be popular. They will want to move on the movies ASAP. But this is where risk multiplies. They don't say this, but I know this. Because if they start a movie series, and then book two tanks and book three is a flop, well, it could get ugly.

I think they're rightly concerned about following a format where the story doesn't begin to unravel, because they have a vested interest in these holding up as movies and not just books.

My guess is that their desire is to make sure I'm staying focused, or at least that I can show them I'm on track. They've had multiple people read my book, which is flattering, but also scary because I do have a real sense that this is no longer just about me, but people taking a potential risk in believing in me.

Absolute Write has many links on writting- a hook, interesting characters, good writing, pacing, and ending well.

I'm not so sure you really need to follow this formula to a tee, because LOTR and Star Wars deviate some. "About Hobbits" isn't really a hook. And this is because there was already a fanbase and an expectation.

However, this does make sense to me. In book two, I didn't want to take for granted that readers will stay with the story, so I added action. I also want to end with a strong chapter. I think they just want to make sure I'm using good judgment.

icerose said:

I know the feeling on that people taking potential risk in believing in you. It's happening to me right now and I'm really starting to doubt my own writing ability. It has passed their judgement but will it pass the publics?

I'll cross my fingers for both of us!

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Icerose, hang in there and be encouraged. If they did what they did then they believe in you. And that says a great deal.

That's what others say to me, and it's true. But I'm still in the process of learning to be positive. My friend is a publisher and said that if they invest, they're going to make sure you don't fail. Well, regardless of whether or not that's how it works, my confidence in myself was really the issue.

Only one person in the world has seen the whole story. (Lots of books) And since then, not one part of that story is the same. It's dramatically changed. That person loved the story. Others have loved what parts they've read. I know the story is there. But I also had to work through self-doubts. The day after they said they wanted the story I was having to fight, "What did I just get myself into??? I'm going to be editing for the rest of my life! Wouldn't I have been better off just getting a hot tub?"

Either way, it's oddly comforting to know someone else who is going through similar circumstances and feelings. I can't wait to see your story brought to life!

Nate