FINAL LESSON-Get the editor in your flow
Posted by Lyn on 25 May 2007 | Tagged as: Craft
Premise: According to Webster’s–a previous statement or assertion that serves as the basis for an argument
Now I don’t want you arguing with an editor! But I use the term premise but someone else might use, blurb. Either way it includes: the basic components: hero, heroine, setting–internal, external, romantic conflicts–and ends with story question(s)
When you choose a book in a store, you look at the cover, turn it over and read the back cover blurb and then open the book and read the first paragraph. But the editor you’ve submitted to doesn’t have cover art or back cover blurb, so they go right to the first page ABSOLUTELY COLD—no direction, no idea of what type of story or where it might be heading. So it’s inadvisable to include your own cover art, but including two paragraphs on the basics of the story to orient the editor is a good idea.
Here’s the first page of my synopsis for DANGEROUS SEASON, out April 2007
Harbor Intrigue Series
Synopsis of Book One, Dangerous Season
By Lyn Cote
Bible Verse: “Be angry and sin not…” Ephesians 4:26
“Speak the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15
Premise:
Keir Harding, at thirty-five, finally achieves his lifelong goal. Last fall, he’d been narrowly elected county sheriff in his hometown of Winfield, WI. After his “wild” teen years, Keir has spent the last eighteen years working his way up the ladder from rookie, to deputy sheriff and now sheriff. Then a rash of mean-spirited booby traps endangers the community and its tourist trade. One man still doubts Keir was the man for the job and will use these crimes try to sway others against Keir.
Audra Blair, a twenty-six-year old single mother, launches her own cafe, her first step toward financial independence for her and her six-year-old daughter, Evie. As Winfield deals with the increasingly expensive and dangerous vandalism, Audra and Keir find themselves drawn more and more together. But self-doubt and old grudges work to push them apart. Can Keir with Audra’s help discover who is damaging property and endangering lives before someone they both love gets maimed or killed?
Go through the excerpt above and mark the setting, the hero and heroine and their descriptions, the internal and external conflicts and the story question. Then write your own theme and premise or blurb for your manuscript—2 paragraphs ONLY. Again, post yours and ask for comments. I’ll skim and choose one. Today is the last day of this class. But since it’s a long holiday weekend, I will stop back by on Tuesday and tie things up. Drop by Tuesday and perhaps you could win a copy of Dangerous Season and that copy of A NOVEL APPROACH.
Also I have an egroup for readers and writers. Drop by my website and join it. I send out monthly messages with material for both readers and writers. Happy Writing!
Suggested Resources:
Dwight Swain’s TECHNIQUES OF A SELLING WRITER
Christopher Vogler’s THE WRITER’S JOURNEY
James Scott Bell’s PLOT AND STRUCTURE
Tami Cowden’s HERO AND HEROINE ARCHETYPES
Online Workshops by Margie Lawson, PhD—Empowering Character Emotion, EDITS revision system
Kathy Jacobsen’s A NOVEL APPROACH (Conflict Grid, etc.)
www.kathyjacobsen.com $25 for PDF file (220 pages) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
HEA (Happily Ever After) Café for archived lessons on query, synopsis and beginnings and more! www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors
Lyn Cote
www.LynCote.net
So let me see what you come up with for your “blurb” or premise.
And Misty and Kelly Ann,
May 25th, 2007 at 7:26 amSince you’ve faithfully participated, would you like me to make a comment or two on your first paragraphs? Nothing negative!
Lyn
If I don’t get back online today, I’ll drop by Tuesday!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Lyn, I’d appreciate any comments you’d like to make. I’ve got tough skin, so fire away. Than goes for everyone else, too!
I do have a recipe for Beg Me Baby Brownies if anyone wants it. Just PM me.
Cheers!
May 25th, 2007 at 10:42 amMisty
Three Faces of Diva Series
Book One The Secret Ingredient
Misty Fanderclai
Premise:
Katelynn Karr, the famous celebrity chef of the hit TV series, The Secret Ingredient, has discovered fame and fortune can’t replace love and family. Ten years ago, she left her father and the boy she loved in Secret, Montana after being accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Now, Kate wants love and a happy ending, but after ten years, can her newfound fame and fortune help her mend things with her father? Can she prove to her lost love she’s not the thief he believes her to be?
Mayor Nick Juno once had his heart broken by the wild Katelynn. He knows first-hand about her past, and he’s heard all the gossip about her current Hollywood lifestyle. A single father of a four-year-old son, Nick wants to keep his small town as peaceful as it has been for the past ten years, and keep his heart safe from the lying Katelynn. But when Kate’s father dies on her live cooking show in Secret, Nick must untangle the lies and deception of the past to help her. Is Kate being framed or did she slip her father a secret ingredient that finally put an end to their family dispute?
May 25th, 2007 at 11:04 amLyn - I haven’t been posting (I had a HUGE revision I was trying to get done last week), but your information was fantastic. Thanks. I have a newbie writer in my chapter and I have referred him to your lectures. I think they will really need the boost he needs to get going.
Thanks again. I really enjoyed it
May 29th, 2007 at 7:58 amoops - here’s a lesson…PROOFREAD before you post…
I think your lessons will really BE the boost he needs to get going.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:59 amThanks, Cynthia. These informal classes are meant to give other authors a helping hand.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:53 amLyn
Misty,
I’ve copied and pasted the sentence from your first assignment. This sentence is your Hook. It tells us that there is something going on under the frothy surface.
IMHO-it’s too direct. You need to make it more of a hint. And since emotion is so powerful, I’d make it into a visceral reaction to the irony of her situation.
Instead of your:
I’m such a hypocrite, preaching love when my world is devoid of it.
I’d try something like this. “As I spoke these words, I felt that too familiar and painful tightening around my diaphragm. I forced myself to keep smiling in spite of everything.”
That’s really rough, but you see–start subtle and drop crumbs bit by bit.
Hope that inspires you.
Well, the class is over. Another class will pop up by another RWAOnline author the third week of June–I think!
I’ll contact Kathy Jabobson and let her know who won her A NOVEL APPROACH in the drawing. And then I’ll post the winner here, so check back and see if you won! I’ll need you to email me your email addy.
Best wishes to you ALL!
May 29th, 2007 at 9:05 amLyn
Help - I can’t find Kathy’s website for the PDF file. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!!!
May 29th, 2007 at 9:50 amThank you, Lyn, for the advice. You’re right about the hook. I’ll try for a hint like your example that makes my readers want to find out what’s under the *frothy* (love the food reference) surface.
I ran the first person opening by my agent and she loves it. I owe you a WORLD of gratitude for the suggestion. The story is clicking at a whole other level for me now.
Best wishes,
May 29th, 2007 at 11:24 amMisty
Hi Lyn, I have recently started using a premise and find it invaluable, it keeps me focused on the big picture. What I still need to do is keep track of the characters internal conflicts and how they deepen each other’s conflict. Tricky. I think the conflict grid you speak of is the way to go. Regards, Janine
May 29th, 2007 at 7:16 pmI’m so happy I was able to give you all some information and insight.
I’m going to write down all the names of those who posted comments and choose one later today.
If you are the one chosen, go to my website www.LynCote.net and email me so I have your email addy. (I don’t like posting mine or yours on the WEB–I don’t like making things any easier for Spammers.)
Then I will email Kathy Jacobson and she’ll get in touch with you and send you your free copy of A NOVEL APPROACH in PDF format.
And if you don’t win, you can still contact her at her lifecoaching website www.kathyjacobson.com and just click contact and send her a request.
I’ve really enjoyed this experience and please keep me advised of your coming successes!!!
May 30th, 2007 at 8:14 amLyn
The winner of A NOVEL APPROACH by Kathy Jacobson is JANINE MCCARTHY!
Janine, please contact me via the email link on my website or PM me at rwaonline.org so I can send your email addy to Kathy.
Again, evereyone, drop by www.kathyjacobson.com and click contact and send Kathy any questions you might have about her full writing course.
This was fun!
May 31st, 2007 at 9:13 amLyn
Lyn, I was so excited I almost jumped off my chair. I’ll email you now. Thank you so much, kind regards Janine (did I mention I’m excited?
)
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