tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post8630544556630796266..comments2023-10-22T14:04:46.934+01:00Comments on Talli Roland: Pulling Teeth with Pliers... Or, Writing a Great SynopsisTalli Rolandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-69770186260164281962012-01-31T00:09:39.812+00:002012-01-31T00:09:39.812+00:00Hello Talli - is there a video of this Friday danc...Hello Talli - is there a video of this Friday dance available anywhere - it sounds like a fun thing to take up. <br />Hope you enjoy Egypt. <br /><br />I have read WAGS apart from Nicolas synopsis of Wasted (thanks for the spoiler warning - that pesky habit of revealing the end in a synopsis may ruin Wasted for me otherwise). I have Wasted on Kindle so really want to read that soon to be able to compare a book to a synopsis to see what has been kept in or left out.Kirstyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12528345454322696726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-82748372526910633232012-01-23T09:23:41.967+00:002012-01-23T09:23:41.967+00:00Hi Nicola,
Thanks for a great post on writing syn...Hi Nicola,<br /><br />Thanks for a great post on writing synopsis. <br /><br />Talli- remember, we're looking forward to photos from Egypt.Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-30508427921325237582012-01-23T06:43:03.438+00:002012-01-23T06:43:03.438+00:00Talli: Reading this post made me wonder if perhaps...Talli: Reading this post made me wonder if perhaps Pan Am or TWA were still in business! They actually did fly to Cairo--TWA for certain. At any rate, this sounds exciting and I hope you have an incredible visit! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539850495318868267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-55327506269547239132012-01-22T19:01:34.031+00:002012-01-22T19:01:34.031+00:00Looking forward to re-tackling my synopsis! No hon...Looking forward to re-tackling my synopsis! No honest - I really am! Have a great Holiday Talli!Laura Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604133412050870730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-40913691175763397432012-01-22T15:48:48.591+00:002012-01-22T15:48:48.591+00:00I have to admit I had a little help when I wrote m...I have to admit I had a little help when I wrote my synopsis. I'm glad I did. this book would have gone down really well if I hadn't. In fact, I'm obviously going to have to write another one, but I've another 96,000 words left to write yet. :)Rebecca Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10194524230109997420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-20413933153049592022012-01-22T14:28:33.211+00:002012-01-22T14:28:33.211+00:00I will definitely check this one out, great insigh...I will definitely check this one out, great insight! : )<br />And omg,Egyyypt! My main character is Egyptian, and loves Basboussas!<br />And tell me about foreign speaking in-laws. When they start with German I just switch off sometimes!Clarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00062728322162370588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-6535805721647922682012-01-22T13:10:39.307+00:002012-01-22T13:10:39.307+00:00Reading WAGS over the weekend, lots of great advic...Reading WAGS over the weekend, lots of great advice. Please add me into the draw for a critique.Barbara Keenannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-90848472094058458132012-01-22T12:52:50.477+00:002012-01-22T12:52:50.477+00:00Talli, I shared your view of fear of synopses unti...Talli, I shared your view of fear of synopses until I read this book. Nicola's advice is spot on. I'm not scared of synopses any more!<br />Thank you.SJIHollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395935935929608392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-10355671891342874892012-01-22T12:46:09.590+00:002012-01-22T12:46:09.590+00:00Nicola, I would much rather write a book than a sy...Nicola, I would much rather write a book than a synopsis but perhaps I will change my mind after reading WAGS.<br /><br />Talli, I am looking forward to your photos and to reading what you have written while you were away.D.J. Kirkbyhttp://djkirkby.co.uk/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-57096886978499457012012-01-22T06:29:19.116+00:002012-01-22T06:29:19.116+00:00Hi Talli and Nicole.
This is a very helpful and i...Hi Talli and Nicole.<br /><br />This is a very helpful and informative post. Don't worry-not so helpful that I won't purchase the book, LOL. I am excited about the book. I am quite the "writing craft book junkie" and this one sounds promising. <br /><br />Btw, I am hosting a blogfest-prize give a way with some great prizes including a Kindle Fire and a 2 hour plot consultation with Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer. Please check it out.Melissa Sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16268333458796847721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-54812353514280960952012-01-22T01:58:46.076+00:002012-01-22T01:58:46.076+00:00I'd much rather write a book :-)
But I don'...I'd much rather write a book :-)<br />But I don't mind writing a synopsis. I like boiling it all down to a limit of 1000 words or so.<br />Anything less though - like, say, a query pitch - has me running, screaming, for the hills.Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-75135427048323170072012-01-21T11:24:30.653+00:002012-01-21T11:24:30.653+00:00Ps - have fun in Egypt... I'm just imagining h...Ps - have fun in Egypt... I'm just imagining how hot its going to be there... jealous :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-39318067084311946352012-01-21T11:23:00.656+00:002012-01-21T11:23:00.656+00:00I'm planning on finishing and actually editing...I'm planning on finishing and actually editing the novel I'm currently writing (I haven't managed both with previous novels) so I'm going to have to write a synopsis. Because I've never done 1, I'm quite looking forward to doing it, but know when it gets to it I'm going to hate it. I'll certainly be adding this to my collection before I even attempt it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-2334796742910825172012-01-21T03:09:29.212+00:002012-01-21T03:09:29.212+00:00Oh, I would much rather write a book than a synops...Oh, I would much rather write a book than a synopsis. Just saying the s-word makes me shudder--which is exactly why I need to check out Nicola's book! <br /><br />Safe travels, Talli! :)Carrie Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540590799406170410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-46039723922387122722012-01-21T00:33:42.405+00:002012-01-21T00:33:42.405+00:00I can write a crappy synopsis fairly easily. Writi...I can write a crappy synopsis fairly easily. Writing a good one is much hardcr.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-77337060695052896592012-01-21T00:05:55.218+00:002012-01-21T00:05:55.218+00:00A book, definitely. I've never tried writing a...A book, definitely. I've never tried writing a synopsis--though I suppose I'll have to at some point.<br /><br />I hope you have a great vacation to Cairo!Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-50729716211580903592012-01-20T23:00:40.714+00:002012-01-20T23:00:40.714+00:00I'd definitely rather write a book than a syno...I'd definitely rather write a book than a synopsis, especially because my manuscripts always end up being longer than they should be. Right now I'm working on my prospectus, which is similar to a synopsis, because I have to summarize/outline in just a few pages what I'll be writing in my dissertation, which is supposed to be the length of a book. So it's been very, very difficult to sum up what I want to say, especially because I'm not entirely sure what I want to say yet. <br /> P.S. I just ordered your Watching Willow Watts book! I would've ordered it sooner but I don't have a Kindle and I was kind of broke before. But I can't wait to read it!Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-32045596667482622062012-01-20T22:56:37.323+00:002012-01-20T22:56:37.323+00:00Ugh, that synopsis is always there, laughing at me...Ugh, that synopsis is always there, laughing at me. I have vowed to get my done by the end of January...not sure that will happen. But this book looks awesome and I may have to check it out if I have any chance in hell of an agent wanting to read my ms after getting through my synopsis.<br /><br />And Talli- so jealous you are going on vacation!Abby Minardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963640263845561309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-6610355763903173652012-01-20T21:17:07.846+00:002012-01-20T21:17:07.846+00:00Today it's pouring with rain and I'm writi...Today it's pouring with rain and I'm writing--or trying to write--a synopsis. But I do have WAGSynopis at my side but I still reckon I'd rather be in Cairo. This task started out as impossible to crack as the Riddle of the Sphynx. I'm hoping by the time you're back, Talli, Nicola will have solved it for me. Her bok is that good.Sally Zigmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520579251842006765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-40779268799449098282012-01-20T19:57:22.285+00:002012-01-20T19:57:22.285+00:00Synopses suck. I'm glad you've written a b...Synopses suck. I'm glad you've written a book that may make them much easier to produce.<br /><br />Talli, have a marvelous Egyptian vacation!Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-81591115747919107862012-01-20T19:23:21.761+00:002012-01-20T19:23:21.761+00:00I found writing the synopsis for my first novel mu...I found writing the synopsis for my first novel much easier than anticipated. It also helped me enormously. I could see glaring plot glitches and realised how I could 'up the stakes'. I found it much easier to write than the novel itself, but I'm not sure whether it's good enough to sell my novel. We'll see. Almost scared to read WAGS now! It's a bit like feeling you've done really well in an exam only to find you haven't at all.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680813337238122710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-12762347312383035432012-01-20T19:09:01.921+00:002012-01-20T19:09:01.921+00:00Wow, Talli's blog always has the most amazing ...Wow, Talli's blog always has the most amazing array of fabulous comments! Thank you, everyone, and thank you to Talli for having me. <br /><br />Chillcat: "I mean, if you are explaining your book to a friend whose eyes start to wander... it's time to think NUTSHELL!" Yes!!<br /><br />Thanks to those of you who've bought the book today - you've helped propel it to #1 in all its categories and #335 in paid Kindle books, which is way higher than I've ever been for anything. So, Thank you!Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-28805802367984223342012-01-20T17:11:54.104+00:002012-01-20T17:11:54.104+00:00Hi Talli and Nicola. Egypt, eh? Sounds much better...Hi Talli and Nicola. Egypt, eh? Sounds much better than Leicester in the January murk; although, on the plus side, I notice that I've got some snowdrops in flower.<br />I, too, hate writing a synopsis - I mean, are they really necessary? Wouldn't a 200 word blurb and three chapters be as much use to an agent? If they don't like your first three chapters [if they even bother to read past the first couple of pages - ouch]will the best synopsis in the world make them change their mind? Don't think so. I suppose you could argue that they need to see a synopsis just to make sure that the writer knows how the book ends. Well if you don;t know how your book ends and how you get there - should you be submitting it anyway. (Being devil's avocado here :-))<br />I think your post (and Nicola's book) is very timely as there are probably 250 members of the RNA New Writers' Scheme out there getting their WIP ready to submit to the RNA reader and hoping for a second read. I wonder why no one ever does a masterclass in synopsis writing at the RNA conferences - now that would be most useful. Failing that - buy Nicola's book. Ok. Shutting up now. Have a great holiday, Talli and happy writing and have a great weekend everyone.Lizzie Lambnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-90537507012809207392012-01-20T17:07:27.294+00:002012-01-20T17:07:27.294+00:00Cairo? oooh, sunshine and lots of it. Have fun swe...Cairo? oooh, sunshine and lots of it. Have fun sweetie!<br /><br />Nicola, I agree, readers could write the synopsis easier than many authors, lol! The high points,core as you say,is all that's needed and yet...it's still hard because you want to add the spices, lol!<br /><br />Thank you for the info. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.siamckye.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Sia McKye OVER COFFEE</a>~Sia McKye~https://www.blogger.com/profile/08470562659597351033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-35637705204276801662012-01-20T16:32:32.364+00:002012-01-20T16:32:32.364+00:00I remember a little French cafe in Cairo with wond...I remember a little French cafe in Cairo with wonderful coffee & croissants. I was there in February. Cold, wet, miserable. That little cafe saved my life. Thanks for the review. Going to put that book on my Kindle RIGHT NOW!!Pj Schottnoreply@blogger.com