Monday, September 21, 2009

My webpage week

This is the umpteenth version of this webpage and I like the look but, what torture putting it together.

I spent Monday starting the page, all the search words, title, etc, the background and the banner up and centered. Then, moved onto the line of links that will be next.

I wanted to draw them myself and not use anything borrowed from a free site on the web. Geez, I painted portraits for a living for fifteen years, I should be able to do a colorful enough drawing to pass. Ya think????

I started a new sketchbook for this book and have pages of sketches I have started and discarded. That is nothing new. I have a reasonable set of sketches for the links, used Jasc Paint Shop to eliminate the background and put them up and guess what, the background showed. Did it again two more times and finally gave up and just blacked out the background.

I tried a little CSS again, went back to HTML. I tried using a template from HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software CoffeeCup Software, which I own, and have gone to using a table with two rows. I know there has to be a better way. I have always put the link list down the left hand side. My last version of Coffee Cup had a whole bunch of templates too, but I had to reformat and lost it all and, while I have upgraded, I have yet to find the long list of templates.

So, now I have a background, a banner, and a row of hand drawn icons to dress up the link buttons. As in all things with this webpage, it is all trial and error. Right now the buttons do not link. So, that is next.

In the meantime, I have entered the first 1,000 words of my novel in Miss Snark's First Victim critique. I could not find the complete rules, so here is hoping I did it right.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Down to webpage basics

While, I have designed webpages for years (mostly for my artwork), I wanted to make the new webpage do several things: be entertaining to children, be a place agents and editors can go to for information, throw in some of my art and comply with accessibility guidelines.

Hopefully, I am doing the accessibility guidelines properly. That was the easiest part to do. I did it first and now will redo some pages as I have totally revamped my idea. I am back to basics.

I am not a programmer. I know a smattering of html and can use HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software CoffeeCup Software. I am not going to try to learn CSS, but utilize CoffeeCup to the best of my ability. I have given up dreams of curling pages, swinging beads and items that move when you click them. That is programming a specialist can do when the book is a success (power of positive thinking!!!!).

Right now, I want a presence on the web that showcases my books in a simple direct manner. I have found a sample design I like, with nothing jumping, swinging or moving. It is all about information. And, isn't that what people come to the internet for?

I am still doing my own graphics, for the most part, but the only way to actually get this done is to simplify. So, I have diagrammed the pages I want, I have a layout for the pages and I am off to put it together, on this rainy Sunday. Wish me luck!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

My webpage redesign. Send help!

I have started getting some interesting feedback and so must set aside the synopsis (The teacher in me keeps typing syllibus. ) and get to work on my Web presence.

Redesigning the webpage is something I have struggled with for several years now; a century in internet age. I am torn. I love the images I see that come out of Avalon Arts Studio of Graphic Arts and Web Design. They put texture on the internet. I love it.

However, I am going for fun right now (note to self, stop obssessing). I come from a line of Obsessive Compulsives and fight any hint that I am following in those footsteps.

In analyzing what is best for web design, I came across this great site. Actually, they found me from my Twitter. Thank you guys at The Pro Designer (theprodesigner) on Twitter. I have done webdesign for years, but you never stop learning, so I am off to redesign my webpage to make it bright and fun, easy to navigate and non-irritating. I come from dial-up and I do know irritating.

If you do not see me in seven days, send help!!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

My Logline is finished! Hooray!

After a week and a half solid spent rewording my logline, not counting all the odds and ends of hours I spent in the past, I finally had a logline. Sent this one to my Master's daughter and five minutes later she sent me back a logline I like a lot better.

Diplomatically, she suggested I was too close to it and that I am working too hard to follow all the rules I read on the net. I think she is right about the second one. I want to have everything just right and ready when I send it out and am spinning in circles from it.

As far as being too close, that might be correct also, but I think I am just not looking at it from the right angle.

So, here is my new logline, my original edition, with major revisions from daughter and with revisions from myself:

A neglected trio of brothers with the will to survive, journey to a land ruled by the Thunderer of the Iroquois nation and guarded by a fierce black dragon man. As they strike out on a quest for security and friendship, they find that learning can be full of magic, compassion does exist, friends come in all sizes, and some battles are worth fighting.

So, now you all know what my Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy Novel is all about, and I may move onto the various synopsis, bios, marketing plan, query letter, writing experience and education; oh, and I am doing the WebSite NOW. You just have to bite the bullet and do it.

Final Step before sending out Synopsis - #5

READ THE SYNOPSIS OUT LOUD, FROM A HARD COPY PRIOR TO SENDING IT OUT!

I could leave it at that but I do not wish to be hung.

Another option is you can check its plausibility by having someone, who has not read your manuscript, read the synopsis, then tell the story back to you. Even better, have them tell it to a third party who then tells it to you and a fourth party.

What you are checking is things like:
Have you mentioned too many names for people to keep straight?
Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist?

QUESTIONS TO CHECK BY YOUR READING IT ALOUD:

  1. Is my synopsis in the present tense and the third person, regardless of the tense and voice of the book itself?
  2. Does the opening on my synopsis read too much like the book? Don’t forget, the same person is reading the first thirty pages of your book in the same sitting.
  3. Does my synopsis read too much like a list of events? It should be like a story. Hey, it is a story! It should build suspense and give you quiet moments to recover inbetween.
  4. If the reader had no information about my book other than the synopsis, would the story or argument make sense? Here is where those reading friends come in handy.
  5. Does the synopsis make the book sound compelling? You definitely want that editor/agent eager to read your manuscript.
  6. Does my synopsis present actual scenes from the book in glowing detail, or does it merely summarize the plot?
  7. Is it clear who the protagonist is?
  8. Is it clear what is at stake for the protagonist?
  9. Is it clear what my protagonist wants and what is at stake for him/her.
  10. Is it clear what obstacles stand in my protagonist way?
  11. Does my protagonist come across as interesting, unusual person-involved in an interesting, unusual situation?
  12. Have I mentioned too many characters in the synopsis? Are they each memorable?
  13. Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist? Or does it merely list all of the events in the book in the order they appear?
  14. Does my synopsis make the book sound just like other books currently on the market, or does it come across as original?

Plausibility issues:

  1. Does my synopsis make the story I’m telling seem plausible?
  2. Is there an indelible image that the reader can take away? You definitely want it memorable (in a good way).
  3. Is the synopsis absolutely free of errors of any kind?
  4. Does my synopsis support the image of the book I want the agent or editor to see?
  5. Do I need to modify it slightly in order to match the interests of the agent/editor, while retaining the truthfulness of my book?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Okay, I'm a dork!!

Today, the mailman confirmed I am a dork!

I have often envied bloggers who chose neat names for their blogs: Crazy Aunt Purl, The flap copy challenge, Jacket Whys, Judge a Book by Its Cover « Adventures in Reading, Mishaps and Adventures. You get it! They are neat and descriptive of who you are.

I started my blogs, Savanvleck’s Weblog, and the one you are reading, because I read that writer's need blogs. I am not certain whether I have fulfilled the needed purpose or not. I do digress easily and recently I have gotten so caught up in the excitement of finishing the book and working on all the stuff I need to have ready for submission that I have sadly neglected my blogs, and Facebook, and Twitter and really MySpace. Are there ever enough hours in the day?

But, today I am one step closer. I am not certain why I feel this way. I paid for this and there is no test involved; but I am so excited. I have my scbwi membership. I belong to the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.

I have no idea why it makes me feel so excited but, there, you have it. I'm a dork!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Fantasy land and a chart to fill out - Synopsis Part #4

I am writing an Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy and due to the fact that it is written in a non-standard world, we Fantasy writers are allowed a bit of leeway, in the synopsis, to:

o Show your world building and plot
o Description must keep interest level up
o Needs to be germane to the plot
o Involving protagonist in description keeps it interesting

That said! I am finding it helpful to fill out the answers to these points to help clarify what to include in the synopsis, as a whole.

  1. What is the prime conflict for your protagonist? Show prime motivation and resolution of all conflicts
  2. What are the Plot points? – summarize between them to connect. Show the primary conflicts and what is at stake for your protagonist.
  3. Where are the red herrings?
  4. What is main character’s good moments?
  5. What is the main character's big crisis?
  6. What is the story's climax? Must show ending
  7. What's the hook?
  8. What's the tone of the story?
  9. Show Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
  10. Show Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
  11. Show Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
  12. Tell Ending: Tell the resolution. Never leave the editor guessing.
  13. Bring back to full circle, as your book should, echoing an element from the beginning in the ending.

Books are about Characters so it is extremely important to tell them WHY your characters do what they do and how they react.

CHARACTERIZATION: For each action/reaction of hero make sure you tell WHY

  1. Who are the main characters? Briefly identify each and answer the questions for each.
  2. What he wants
  3. What is in his way
  4. What is at stake if he does not attain his goal?
  5. What are the main characters' blackest moments?
  6. What are their motivations?

Next and final post on Synopsis (maybe): A final check before sending out your synopsis

Friday, September 11, 2009

Synopsis should retell your story - part #3

I have already mentioned and want to remind you that you are sending out a packet to submit your manuscript for publication. This is highly serious stuff. You have very few words with which to capture their attention, so do not waste words by repeating them.

Presuming you are sending the first fifty pages of your manuscript with your synopsis, remember that they are, hopefully, going to be reading at least the first few sentences of each.
Do you really want those first few sentences, that will make or break your chances, to be identical? That cuts, by half, the well crafted words you have written that they read.

OPEN YOUR SYNOPSIS WITH:

o Set up context of story
o Who is main character
o How old is main character, in the case of writing for youth,
o The setting
o The Events or circumstances that open your story
o Include actual scenes in glowing detail, not just a summary
o Connect the dots with your own summarizing

YOUR WRITING:
o Include indelible image in first couple of paragraphs to WOW them
o Use vivid, sensual images
o Portray, actual scenes in glowing detail, not just summary
o Surprising juxtaposition of words
o Fresh emotional element
o Make it compelling
o You may gloss over the premise, since the editor/agent will be reading those first fifty pages (which includes premise and introduces protagonist), but be very sure to make it very clear how it all fits into the overall arc of the book

YOUR GOAL:
o to convince agent or editor that the rest of your manuscript is every bit as interesting and action-packed as first fifty pages
o To summarize the entire book and show conclusion
o To make work come alive and show it is unique and interesting

SHOW:
o you have vision and tenacity to take compelling characters through first chapter to satisfying conclusion
o Point of view ie first-person/third-person omniscient/etc
o Build suspense, relieve it

THIS IS A retelling of your story, in your voice, showing conflicts and challenges of your characters.

Next post: A list of questions to answer to get your synopsis started in the right direction.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Tweet may be amazing BUT ---

As my Master's Daughter pointed out, that last logline is just too generic to really let you see who my character is. Back to the keyboard.

Tweet your Logline

Having trouble with your logline?

Tweet it. It is amazing, when you search for things you can delete, just how many of those precious words you can lose.

I am down to:

An uneducated teen’s quest for safety leads him to the Moon Trees, where he battles to save his new home from the evil that is pursuing him

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Mechanics of your Synopsis - part 2

Hey, you are a writer. You should know that everything needs to be formatted properly and that you need to be professional. BE PROFESSIONAL! Avoid the gimmicks, folks! No, pink flowery paper or eye popping graphics, or humongous boxes.

Editors and Agents read thousands of words every day. They are looking for the next “great” whatever manuscript. They are professionals. It is not the time to be entertaining.

I am amazed at some of the things the editors/agents have written they receive. I mean, would you show up for a job interview in a clown suit, well, I guess if you were applying to Ringling Brothers, but you get my point. Proper attire for your manuscript is a necessity. And, that includes your synopsis. It needs to be formatted properly and here are my notes on formatting: (again from many sources)

AND, always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the submission requirements of the agent/editor where are submitting, and fulfill those requirements.

  1. Double spaced, standard margins, submit s 2 to 3 page synopsis unless otherwise requested.
  2. Header with TITLE/YOUR LAST NAME/(word)SYNOPSIS and to right Page numbering. I have read varying on this, but only in that your last name should go first and then the title. Otherwise they all agree on the header.
  3. Write in present tense (walks/rides/is), use active voice and few adverbs or adjectives
  4. The synopsis should reflect the tone and voice of your manuscript. Mine is serious with a little humor so I am working on doing the synopsis in the same way. Can you imagine Terry Pratchett’s synopsis???
  5. Do not include dialogue and avoid the words: AND, THEN
  6. And, MOST IMPORTANT = DO NOT use the opening of the book as the opening of the synopsis. They will be reading the first 50 pages of the manuscript, hopefully, with the synopsis, so you do not want any repetition in the packet you send. You want to give them as large a sample, as you can, of your writing.
  7. IN ADDITION: Write as though you are genuinely excited about this book and eager to market it. I am presuming here, that you are.
  8. Include Action Scenes and Development Scenes that are important to the plot.
  9. Include illuminating setting information, characterization, and theme and leaving out almost everything that does not serve this end. If it is not plot, really THINK why you are including it.
  10. Everything must be shown. You should NOT say someone “found a surprise” or “has psychic power.” You must show this and tell what the surprise is, etc.
  11. And, again, OCCASIONALLY, you will alter the synopsis to suit the agent’s interests you are submitting to.

Next post: Point by point details to include in your Synopsis.

Monday, September 7, 2009

The dreaded SYNOPSIS!!! OH NO!!!

This is from a compilation of sites I have found and use regularly for help. They include some of my favorite sites, and I am including a link to a few of them but this is by no way an inclusive list of where I have gotten help.

Brooklyn Arden:
Editorial Anonymous:
Author! Author!

And, just about every other list on my links list.

I put the following together from my list of things to do right when compiling the dreaded synopsis.

First, I know that you need several variations.
There is the logline (1 or 2 lines, as you would read in TV Guide)
A paragraph to include in your query letter, which may be altered depending on the agent you send it to.
Then there is the standard one to two page Synopsis that will probably be requested.
And, the perhaps four to eight page synopsis that you may be requested to provide.

I started on the long synopsis, thinking it would be easy to go to the short one, but I am now thinking that it may be easier to work from the logline up. I am not sure yet.

MY CHECK LIST FOR SYNOPSIS: (from a lot of sources)

THIS IS FROM FAQ (the members of the Del Rey Digital Writing Workshop's first synopsis focus group (August-September '01).
Start: With a one/two-sentence summary encapsulating "what the story is about"
Then: establish the setting and identify the main characters.
Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
Ending: give it away. Never leave the editor guessing.

That is as concise as I have seen and what do you leave out?

Start by leaving out almost everything not mentioned above, except you must not forget that the point of the synopsis is to entice an editor/agent into requesting your full manuscript. Your synopsis should be able to stand alone. Look at it as if you were writing a short story or telling a child a five to ten minute bedtime story.

Avoid including any character unless they are absolutely essential to the plot. Too many names can be confusing and you want everything clear. You want them to see where you are going with this clever plot you have created.

You also want your world to come alive, so you need to drop bits about that, especially if it is fantasy.

While you want the synopsis to WOW them, REMEMBER, they are reading for content and not really savoring your style. So, write for clarity so that they can see where your plot is going.

Next post, proper synopsis formatting and excitement!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Everyone has their own method of working

I would never get a book done if I hand wrote it, but everyone works in different ways. Everything about my book is on the computer: research, notes, manuscript, everything. My brain is jumping around so much that my 100+wpm typing can barely keep up. I love Word and the fact that it has a neat comments feature that allows me to share what I have written with my oldest daughter, who adds extremely invaluable comments.

All Middle Grade/Young Adult writers should have a teacher mentor. My daughter teaches math and science to sixth grade advanced students. She is also a writer and loves to read. Sorry, she is all mine. I cannot share my mentor.

The second thing you should have is a folder for Writing It and for Writing After. That is what I have labeled my two invaluable files of information. The first, Writing it, is articles and information to help me with plotting and all aspects of writing. The second, Writing After, is for all the things I need to do right, to successfully submit. my manuscript.

I do not wait until I am ready to write the synopsis or a query letter and then go searching for ‘how best to’ articles. I read and save information, I feel will be helpful for me in the future, when I need a break and am trolling writer’s sites, etc on the Internet.

And, the future is now!!! I have finished my outlines and am onto my synopsis.

I have kept a chart of what I felt were the things I needed to track for each chapter as I did my final twenty-something edits. In going through the “how to outline” folder though, I have found out that I saved a lot of stuff I did not need. So, first, I redid my chart.


I used a two column chart in MS Word. Above it, I have the chapter #, chapter title and the pages it covers. I.e. Chapter 3 – The Tunnel – pp. 17 to 25. Each chapter has its own chart so that I can print them out without breaks in a chart.

The first line of the chart gives the date it takes place and the conditions, or information about place. Since my fantasy has a lot of nature and outdoor locations, I put weather conditions in here, phases of the moon, etc.

Line two is titled Action, and it contains what happens in that chapter

Line three is Protagonist Development and details what is he anxious/fearful, etc about.

Line four is the characters that are in, or mentioned in, that chapter.

Line five is for key lines.

Line six is specifically for Foreshadowing. Since I am working on book one of a series, some foreshadowing is for future books and will say “Book 4” at end to remind me what book they will foreshadow. Some foreshadowing is for this book and I go back and run a line through it when I have completed the items foreshadowed.

The reason I settled on this is that it covers the items agents/editors want to see in a synopsis: Character, Motivation, Key Scenes, Character's blackest moments, resolution.

Next, I went from this chart outline to a chapter outline, where those notes are now in word form. i.e. “The brothers escape into a tunnel with Fergus MacDonald etc…” It is a dry outline and not for submitting to anyone. It is purely a “this is what happened.” From that dry outline, with its seven lines or less per chapter, I have created a two page short outline.

This outline is also not for submitting but is for following the Plot and Subplots to their conclusion. I have worded it a bit closer to what I would show an agent or editor but it still needs a lot of work to become a synopsis, but that is where I am heading right now. See you in a day or two.

And, if you are having trouble, keep trying until you find your own way.