As part of my writing gig with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, I'm required to turn in a detailed synopsis every 3 months. My editor reviews and approves this and from that synopsis, I write my next book.
When I first started writing, I hated writing a synopsis. Despised them, in fact. Now, I don't see how I ever wrote a book without one.
Since I have a synopsis due in two weeks, I thought I'd share my process with you. Disclaimer: this may not work for you or even resonate with you. We all have our own methods, and this is simply mine.
Let's say I don't even have a glimmer of an idea for my next romantic suspense. What I do know is that there will be a hero and a heroine and either a murder or a threat. I focus on the people first. I list out a description, their job, and what they want in the beginning of this book. I will also try to come up with at least one reason why the hero and the heroine cannot be together.
After the basic character sketch, I spend a few moments on the setting. Fictional town or real, where it is located, what kind of place it is. Time of the year, and the duration of my story. (Two weeks? A month?)
That done, now I can finally list out my plot. Please understand, I don't do all this in one setting. I have to let it percolate a bit. I might spend time one day working on my heroine and hero, the next day the setting. And then I have to think about the plot. Not only what's going to happen externally (the threat, the murder, whatever,) but the progression of the romance between the couple.
Usually for a 70,000 word Harlequin Romantic Suspense, my synopsis is 6-7 pages long. Single spaced. Early in my writing career, I'd try to be a vague as possible, citing the fact that I was a "Pantser" and liked to write by learning as I go. I'm working on my 59th published book (yikes!) and my 49th Harlequin and if there is one thing I've learned after writing all these books, the more I know before I begin, the better. The characters will still find ways to surprise me, I won't get bored, and I won't spend time trying to figure out how to get out of a corner that I'd managed to write myself into.
And I learn a lot when I writing a synopsis. I write down random things that might happen and see if the book will need them. It's easier to plot the entire story in advance and then write it, especially since I have such tight writing deadlines. My next venture, writing a new three book series for myself to self-publish (while continuing to write for Harlequin,) won't require a synopsis for each book. But guess what? I'm going to write them anyway!
Happy writing!
PS - check out one of my short Pack stories - on .99 to buy on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited! I just love this cover!
Mate of the Wolf
When I first started writing, I hated writing a synopsis. Despised them, in fact. Now, I don't see how I ever wrote a book without one.
Since I have a synopsis due in two weeks, I thought I'd share my process with you. Disclaimer: this may not work for you or even resonate with you. We all have our own methods, and this is simply mine.
Let's say I don't even have a glimmer of an idea for my next romantic suspense. What I do know is that there will be a hero and a heroine and either a murder or a threat. I focus on the people first. I list out a description, their job, and what they want in the beginning of this book. I will also try to come up with at least one reason why the hero and the heroine cannot be together.
After the basic character sketch, I spend a few moments on the setting. Fictional town or real, where it is located, what kind of place it is. Time of the year, and the duration of my story. (Two weeks? A month?)
That done, now I can finally list out my plot. Please understand, I don't do all this in one setting. I have to let it percolate a bit. I might spend time one day working on my heroine and hero, the next day the setting. And then I have to think about the plot. Not only what's going to happen externally (the threat, the murder, whatever,) but the progression of the romance between the couple.
Usually for a 70,000 word Harlequin Romantic Suspense, my synopsis is 6-7 pages long. Single spaced. Early in my writing career, I'd try to be a vague as possible, citing the fact that I was a "Pantser" and liked to write by learning as I go. I'm working on my 59th published book (yikes!) and my 49th Harlequin and if there is one thing I've learned after writing all these books, the more I know before I begin, the better. The characters will still find ways to surprise me, I won't get bored, and I won't spend time trying to figure out how to get out of a corner that I'd managed to write myself into.
And I learn a lot when I writing a synopsis. I write down random things that might happen and see if the book will need them. It's easier to plot the entire story in advance and then write it, especially since I have such tight writing deadlines. My next venture, writing a new three book series for myself to self-publish (while continuing to write for Harlequin,) won't require a synopsis for each book. But guess what? I'm going to write them anyway!
Happy writing!
PS - check out one of my short Pack stories - on .99 to buy on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited! I just love this cover!
Mate of the Wolf
