Thursday, November 20, 2008

LOGLINE, QUERY LETTER & SYNOPSIS

Many writers find composing a one-page query letter and a one-page synopsis more difficult than writing a 100,000 word novel. Try writing a logline--a one-sentence description of your novel--first. Expand that into a one-paragraph pitch to include in your query letter. Writing a one-page synopsis now seems effortless.

Hint #1: Write the one-paragraph pitch as a teaser, painting in broad strokes your main character, their goal and the antagonist that blocks it. Don't give away the ending. Your intent is to intrigue the agent into asking for apartial or full manuscript. Your one-page synopsis should give more details and reveal the ending.

Hint #2: Double-space your novel chapters but single-space query letters and synopses. If an agent or publisher requests a detailed outline, be kind to their eyes and double-space anything longer than three pages.

This article by Christopher Lockhart gives detailed instructions on creating loglines for character-driven and plot-driven screenplays, and gives pointers on writing query letters. You can easily adapt the basics of his method to novels.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

SOFTWARE for WRITERS: ClichéCleaner

Agents recommend keeping query letters short--one page maximum. That means ripping out qualifiers, adjectives, flabby verbs and clichés. ClichéCleaner ($12.95) software sounds great. If you've used it, please share your experience here. Loathe it, love it?

Monday, November 10, 2008

TIPS of the DAY & WORKSHOP REVIEWS

Scroll to the bottom of the page for information on writers and tips of the day on writing, publishing, marketing and P.R.. These sites will change periodically to keep new material coming in.

WRITERS: Have you attended a writers' workshop or conference in the past five years? Are you planning to attend one but feel unsure of where to go for your current needs? With the steadily rising cost of tuition and transportation, most emerging writers can't afford to go to more than one event.

To help you choose, I'll be posting reviews here soon or links to reviews on writers' websites. I'm especially interested in places that provide marketing help, such as one-on-one interviews with agents and/or editors, and workshops on pitching novels. Please email me if you're interested in contributing a review.