The synopsis used for selling the book, or for in-house stuff, isn't the same as the cover copy on the back or the jacket of the book, sj. It's just an outline an editor can use to give the art department, for instance. And I meant to add that cover copy is often written by freelancers (I do a lot of it), who get either the book or part of it with a synopsis. It can be fun, when it's not your book. (Also when you don't have to cover every plot point.)
And I'm getting to that point in the long synopsis for London Calling. I seriously would rather have a root canal while listening to George Bush talks about Iraq than deal with this damned thing.
I'll look at the whole thing tomorrow, if you want. I bet I could write it for you, if you wanted me to...although I suppose I should have offered to do that sooner. It's often easier for someone else to do it.
The synopsis used for selling the book, or for in-house stuff, isn't the same as the cover copy on the back or the jacket of the book, sj. It's just an outline an editor can use to give the art department, for instance.
This makes more sense, than what I was thinking. I remember reading that in one of my writing books now that you mentioned it, but I thought it was only for first time authors. I figured someone like you or Deb wouldn't have to do that anymore.
So, I've got this drabble stuck in my head. Only I can't type it up on this computer; I'm on my old desktop and it freezes up if I try to open Word. My laptop is in delayed luggage hell (again--second time in less than a week!) I rely on Word to give me a word count, it's just too damn time consuming to keep revising when you have to actually count and recount the words yourself. So, there it is, in my brain, churning around with nowhere to go. Very frustrating.
sj, unless your editor is Ruth Cavin, you apparently have to do it no matter who you are. Ruth prefers short blurby ones to long form - she really does read everything, so all she wants is a teasing little precis.
Most editors want long form. And I HATE writing them. Meh.
The cover copy - that's different. I get to write my own, although for Cruel Sister, I was distracted and working on London Calling and my angelic Laura Anne Gilman offered to write it for me. My editor loved it, so that worked out nicely. And Laura Anne wanted to do it, because her entire WIP group was out of town and she had one day to have some input on the ms of her new series book (Bring It On), and I took a day off writing and did the ms for her. So it all worked.
Amy, I've got the thing so far up in my livejournal. Basic friendslock. I'm desperate for some feedback. This fucking synopsis is kicking my ass.
Well, here it is anyway.
Horizons
The view outside the window, what I could see of it through the nine by twelve inch piece of plexiglass, was a dreamscape of fantasy and illusion. The clouds in the sky were pink and silver wisps of spun cotton candy, so close I felt like I could reach out and pull the gossamer strands away from the fluffy masses. White puffs stretched out in endless peaks and valleys until my gaze got lost at the edge of the horizon. The sudden veil of gray that obscured my vision as we passed into a mountainous mass of moisture made me blink and I landed in my seat, waiting for the pilot to announce our descent into Madison.
Thanks, Deb. I've never been so frustrated with that one. I started composing it on the plane and I wanted to write some of it down only I didn't have a pen! Man, just one of those days, ya know?
Deb -- Nattery, but Deb doesn't hang in in Bitches, so...mea culpa.
Date! Easier than I remember! Went well. Funny, smart, and I felt a tingle. Good mix of raunchy stories, and thoughtfulness. I gave him my number.
And he's written a book. Hrm.
But, hey, survived my first date in 4 years.
Woo.
Survived and prospered, sounds like to me. Drabble it!
