#44 Synopsize your novel-in-progress, but first look up “synopsize” to make sure it’s really a word.

Last June, I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and recently decided to apply for a work-in-progress grant from that esteemed organization. The application must be received by March 15, which means I need to send it out soon, hopefully before the U.S. Postal Service collapses.

The WIP grant requires applicants to submit 1) an official application form, 2) a writing sample of no more than 2500 words from the work for which the grant will be used, and 3) a synopsis of that work not to exceed 750 words.

Application Form: No problem. A one page, standard, name-address-phone-why-do-you-want-this-money form.

Writing Sample: Also no problem. Happily, my prologue and first chapter add up to 2454 words.

Synopsis: Hmmm. Slight problem in that I have never written one. In fact, I dread the inevitable question, “What’s your novel about?” because I have no answer that does not make me seem slightly deranged. Start spouting descriptions involving “alternate realities” and “skeletons of a non-human creatures” and certain people of polite society begin to look at you as though you are wearing Spock ears and sweatpants covered in Cheetos dust. (I am, in fact, guilty of sporting one of those fashion-statements at this very moment. Guess which one.)

My solution to this problem has so far consisted of spending most of the morning reading about how to write a synopsis and then attempting to write my very own, which only resulted in the conclusion that writing a synopsis is just like writing anything else: i.e., it’s hard work.

Thankfully, Chuck Sambuchino of Guide to Literary Agents has collected excellent advice and examples on synopsis writing. If I ever successfully complete this synopsis, I mostly have Chuck to thank.

And then, of course, when I’m done writing the synopsis and submitting my application for the grant, then I still have to actually write the novel. I haven’t forgotten that. Just still trying my best to avoid it.