The Literary Lynnch Pen Archives

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Writing a Synopsis - Lynn Tincher

Writing a synopsis can be harder than writing the book itself. A synopsis should introduce the central characters and be a breakdown of the main plot and storyline. Sometimes it is difficult for authors to take a big step back and see the whole picture and then condense it into a synopsis.

There are many different types of a synopsis from a single sentence to an expanded version. It is beneficial to write different ones for every length possible. Sometimes it is easer to write the expanded version, and then scale back layer by layer to get to the one sentence that grasps the story. Don't forget your hook!

If you are writing to an editor, make sure to tell them every thing that happens. Yes, even your spoilers. They want to know if you have written a great story and have delivered on your hook.

Here are several great websites that will help you develop your synopsis and good luck. This was a tough one for me!

http://www.essortment.com/all/synopsiswriteb_rqmx.htm
http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.html
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/leblanc.shtml


Copyright 2009 Lynn Tincher

Pacing Your Story - Lynn Tincher

Think of pacing in writing as much the same as the movement of a piece of classical music. Some of the music is fast and furious while some parts are slow, allowing the listener to catch their breath. Writing a story or a novel can be much the same.

The beginning or your story should contain the hook. This is the part that makes your reader want to read more. You can start off with guns-a-blazing in an action packed sequence or you can start off slow; planting questions in the reader’s mind.

As far as pacing in the development of your story, have several scenes or chapters of action or conflict. Then slow the action down from time to time so the reader can have a break. Constant, non-stop action can have its benefits but it also does not always draw the attention of the reader. The reader can get worn out and lose interest.

Use different writing conventions to help speed up or slow down your actions. A change in verb tense from past to present tense can slow the action down. Adding dialog is another great way to change pace.

Adding more description can help slow the pace down and then add action to speed it up again. You can begin by describing the scene in detail. For example, describe the sea breeze causing the palm trees to sway as the seagulls call in the distance. By introducing the character talking to the bartender in the Tiki hut, you’ve introduced the beginning of the action and the pace can pick up from there.

If you have developed your characters and their motives first, it is easier to develop the pace of the story around them. In the end, answer your questions and develop some sort of finality. If you would like to leave it open, ask more questions or leave something unresolved. Most importantly, have fun.

Copyright 2009 Lynn Tincher

Points of View - Lynn Tincher

Points of View - by Lynn Tincher
www.lynntincher.com

Determining your point of view in writing is a crucial element in the way your story is told. There are three basic points of view: First Person, Second Person and Third Person.

The first person point of view means the story is told from the "I" perspective. This can bring your readers on a personal level with the narrator. Readers are experiencing things through the eyes of the main character.

The second person point of view means that the story is told from the "you" perspective. This is OK in small doses in your writing unless you've mastered storytelling in this manner.

The third person point of view consists of several perspectives. The third person limited means that the story is told through the main character's eyes in past tense. Experiences are told through the main character's eyes without any shifts to other characters. The third person subjective multiple viewpoint means that the story can be told in multiple viewpoints from multiple characters. The Third Person Mixed Omniscient point of view means the author takes a high level view of the characters and the story. The story is not told through any character's eyes but through a narrator.

There is no rule saying that stories have to be written in any one point of view or that they cannot be written from mixed perspectives. Make sure that you keep your target audience in mind as well as your goals when selecting a point of view to write from.

Copyright 2009 Lynn Tincher