The synopsis is up today over at I Heart Presents! I can already tell you the story has changed a bit since I wrote that, per editorial suggestions. The book will still be a surprise, so I'm not worried that my whole plot is laid out for all to see.
This is such a great opportunity for writers to see exactly what the editors like and don't like as they guide you through the top three entries. Tomorrow there will be an editorial critique of my entry. And though I have my notes already, I'll still be fascinated to see what they have to say on the blog!
Lynn,
I to hate writing a synopsis. It’s hard to tell everything in two pages but yours was great. Is it hard to switch gears and write a Presents when you’ve been writing military romances? I find that I’ve tried other types besides Presents and I can’t follow through. I always go back to the strong alpha males and international settings. I wonder if the eds have posted feedback to all the entrants who showed promise? Do you know? I’ve seen only the one post saying they got feedback. Everyone else seems to be waiting with bated breath.
I looked at the synopsis. Now I know what they mean when literary agents ask for three chapters and a synopsis. LOL Thanks.
Cyn
Great synopsis Lynn. Was there any changes made to it, or is it posted exactly as you’d written it? Hope you don’t mind my asking. Personally I’m one of those people who hate writing one.
Patricia, Sue who received a request for her full contest entry lives in the UK. I live in Dallas so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll receive something in the next week 🙂 Got to have hope right!
I would also think that some people will hear from an editor sooner than others depending on a particular editors workload.
That’s my theory anyway FWIW.
Chris.
Chris,
I was fishing:-)It’s hard to be patient. Good luck to you. I hope you hear something soon.
Patricia: Thank you for the comments! Your question about military versus Presents hero is one I was thinking of doing an entire blog post on, so I’ll save that until Friday I think. 🙂 Thanks for asking!
As for the feedback, my friend I went to dinner with (from The Call entry over at the Presents blog) got a letter yesterday. We’re in Alabama. I believe it was a letter and not an email. But I only know because she’s my friend and she called to tell me! Otherwise, I have no idea whether they’ve completed the letters or not.
But don’t give up hope! It takes time to get those letters out while still doing their jobs editing their current authors. And aren’t you in Australia? That’d take some time, I imagine. 🙂
Cyn, always check the guidelines of who you are submitting to. Some agents/editors want longer synopses than that one was. It’s short in the scheme of things, but I’m glad it helped you!
Chris: The synopsis you see is exactly what I submitted to the contest. They haven’t changed a thing, but definitely tune in tomorrow for the critique! Because there are things they will certainly address that may help you write your own synopses. And, you’ll see that mine isn’t perfect when they make their comments. 🙂
Thanks Lynn, this really is very helpful.
Chris.
PS I thought it was a great synopsis. :-))
I thought it was pretty darn perfect, Lynn. I dread writing synopses more than anything else, but you’ve made it look easy. And by the way, I read your first chapter too and thought it was terrific!
Lynn,
Thanks for the comments. I’m in the US, Nebraska. It’s good to hear entrants are hearing things. Congratulations to your friend. I thought they would respond by email instead of snail mail. Interesting.
I’ll be waiting to read your blog on Friday in response to my question.
Happy writing to all.
Thanks again, everyone!
Patricia, how did I get the idea you were an Aussie? Sometimes, I have no clue where I come up with this stuff. 🙂
Sorry if I seemed at all short about the military vs Presents thing! I didn’t mean to. I was answering really quick because I was working on the story and wanted to get back to it. But the question is a good one and I want to write a whole post for tomorrow. 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Sounds like a great story. I think you’ll be telling us about The Call as soon as that book is finished.