Most writers that I know have a hate-on for that dreaded document that must accompany most submissions, either partial or full. What is it? Say it with me, now.

The synopsis.

I have finally, FINALLY gotten to the point where I can write them without crying most of the time, but it’s still not something that I’d call fun.

Have no fear! I am blatantly stealing this discovery from my pal Tessa Dare, but I think it’s something the writing world needs to know about.

Unless you knew before, in which case, pat me on the head for being slow. Ahem.

Microsoft Word comes with an autosummarize feature. Did you know this? I did not. It’s under the tools menu, just below word count, and we all know that a writer knows where that feature is.

When using autosummarize, you can specify how much of your work you want selected. It defaults to 25%, which might work for a “real” synopsis. For the purposes of today’s entertainment, however, I suggest using the drop down box and choosing 10 sentences.

When thus chosen, you will produce summaries like this, a 10-sentence summary of the first chapter of my first release, Fortune’s Fool:

“Dylan!”
“Dylan?”
“Dylan…”
“Dylan!”
“Dylan.”
“Dylan.”
Dylan.
“Dylan!”
“Dylan?”
“Dylan.”

To borrow from another Sara, this will ensure that editors and agents know my hero’s name and that he’s constantly in demand, thus proving his charm and desirability.

Right?

Obviously this is just for fun, but give it a shot and share what your first chapter says about your book.

5 Responses to “A new way to summarize”

1. Shelli Stevens Says:
   March 14th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

   Pretty much the same for the chapter of my sci fi:

   “Talia.”
   “Talia…” “Talia.” “Talia. “Talia.” “Talia?” “Talia.” “Talia. “Talia…” “Talia…”

2. Crystal Jordan Says:
   March 14th, 2007 at 9:24 pm

   Oh my gosh, this is hilarious!

3. Sara Dennis Says:
   March 14th, 2007 at 10:27 pm

   Your heroine must be very popular, Shelli.

   Isn’t it, Crystal? Cracking. Up.

4. Amie Stuart Says:
   March 15th, 2007 at 1:49 am

   This is a hoot! I’m taking it to my blog!

5. Dayna_Hart Says:
   March 15th, 2007 at 11:41 am

   ok. Hero’s name. Repeatedly. Reads like bad porn dialogue!

   Not that the 500 word summary was any better, darnit. Or the 10% summary. Darnit. I thought I’d found an easy way around the shitopsis.

   However, this is fun. I’d love to run some of my not-so-favorite author’s books through it…