Review: The Best "Synopsis" Book I've Ever Read and Here's Why:
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 11, 2012
I Will Actually Do What "Write a Great Synopsis"  Suggests!Let's face it: synopsis books are like diet books. Every one will work if you actually follow the instructions. The problem with diet books is that you have to find the right diet! And that's a diet that you can actually live with and implement!I've read quite of few books and articles on how to write a synopsis and I've agreed with everything the authors wrote except for the fact that I couldn't get myself to do it their way."Write a Great Synopsis" is different. The suggestions exactly fit how I like to do things. It's perfect. Also, I think most writers are like me in this respect.Consider these two essential points that I feel stand out as particularly excellent.FIRST:  Start your synopsis with a `single sentence hook'. Then build that sentence into a paragraph, Next expand that paragraph into a full page. If you are allowed more words by an editor or agent, expand it to the full size allowed.Writing your synopsis this way means you are adding material according to its importance. You are not faced with cutting away `great material' -- a process that many writers find painful to do.There is also the added benefit of creating your pitch and back cover blurb at the same time that you are writing your synopsis.SECOND: The author offers a great synopsis writing idea that she calls her "Crappy Memory Method". (This is actually the same method I used for years cutting 2,000 word full page advertising copy down to 50 to 200 words when the advertised item was later used as a sub-feature in a smaller ad.)Here's how the "Crappy Memory Method" works: put the book aside for a day or two and then write the synopsis without looking at any or your materials. Do it all from memory. If you do this then only the most important elements of the story should be remembered first. If you can't remember something, like subplots or secondary characters, then you most likely don't need them in the synopsis. This works very well for me. I think it will also work for most writers."Write a Great Synopsis" is a total book. A great deal is covered about synopses: fiction and non-fiction, different types of synopses, the real importance of a synopsis, linear and non-linear synopses, guidelines, rules asnot set in stone, why you need several synopses for each book, plus much more.The author is an expert who has done it all. From her book:"Nicola Morgan is the author of around ninety books, including best-seller and award-winners. She is well known for her strong advice about writing and publishing: her main book for writers, Write to be Published, gained universal praise on publication in 2011."Best of all: the book is only $3.45 on Amazon as a Kindle book as I write this. A must buy if I ever saw one!Added benefit: there are many hot links that will help you navigate the book - many Kindle formatted books do not offer this feature!5 Stars!  Highest Possible Rating!A Must for Serious Writers of Fiction and Non-Fiction!