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Ariel70
Perhaps they do, Ariel; perhaps they do, but then not being a Canadian, I wouldn't know, anymore than I can tell the difference between margarine and lard.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 3, 2006 at 4:19 PM
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johnmacnab
I was under the impression that Canadians think Newfies are the thick ones. Or do they all think the others are thick? Are all the others thick?
These are profound questions, my dear Watson, and were we to know the answers we too would be as thick as bricks
posted by
ariel70
on May 3, 2006 at 2:55 PM
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Pat_B
John McNab writes synopsis. Story sells. He buys boat and sails around the world. Movie is made. It is named
John McNab goes Glug, Glug, Glug.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 11:15 AM
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Pat_B
Man bites Dog. Dog sues and loses. Wife learns how to cook Dog. Man barfs up Dog.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 11:13 AM
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Uncle_Dave
Thank you for that interesting and informative comment, Uncle_Dave. The problem I have, like most would-be writers, is that the enthusiasm is rapidly transformed into self doubt. The one page synopsis makes sense; it is easy to read a page but if the editor is reading lots of synopses, turning over to another page could get to be a pita.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 10:50 AM
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ginnie
In the same terse vein as Pat_B's comments.
Jaded, uncertain, published writer decides to have a break from writing and worrying. Goes to Paris. Sits beside river, smoking cigarette in long holder and drinking wine. After a few days of internal examination realizes how bloody good she is. Jumps up, strips off (steady guys) and dives into river. Onlookers scream and shout. "Is she In Seine?"
"Of course she is, but she isn't insane, and is probably taking notes and photographs whilst down there. You can't keep a good writer under."
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 10:34 AM
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Synopsis:
John McNab writes synopsis. Story sells. He buys a boat, sails around the world.
posted by
Pat_B
on May 2, 2006 at 9:15 AM
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Synopsis:
Man bites dog. Dog sues, loses. Wife learns to cook. They all live happily for a week or so.
posted by
Pat_B
on May 2, 2006 at 9:13 AM
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I attended a day course recently and on the panel were two publishing
industry bods (UK) - an agent and a commissioning editor who agreed that the modern synopsis should read like an extended blurb, but should not extend for longer than one page of writing. I have taken this on board for the future. Good luck with your submission - you sound excited about it and that was another thing they stressed - that the writer should enthuse about their work.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on May 2, 2006 at 7:22 AM
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You're a good guy Mac....
...thank you for that little pep talk...I needed it! I am getting good reviews on my writing, which is encouraging, and some suggestions, but I think I do need a break..maybe I'll go to France!
Thanks again Mac...I thought you'd understand.
posted by
ginnieb
on May 1, 2006 at 4:31 PM
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ginnie
Of course they pass, ginnie. Relax; take a day or two off - find a new book by a favourite author, settle back with your favourite drink and
convince yourself not to feel guilty as you chill out. It does take a lot of energy to review others' material, and you will be worrying whether you have the wherewithal to do it. Have faith. You've been published! You are a writer! You are having a downturn! You are entitled to!
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 1, 2006 at 4:05 PM
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Interesting Mac??...
...or maybe wasting my time, looking for answers in the wrong places, or maybe just kidding myself into thinking I can actually write a novel. Oops...did I just expose all that? Am feeling a bit duped with this workshop I've signed up for and wondering if I have what it takes to write at all...yep...one of those down times. Oh well..they pass right? Right?
posted by
ginnieb
on April 30, 2006 at 8:34 PM
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Taps
Me neither, Taps. When you think about, it is as if we have invented the most wonderful thing in the world and then refuse to let the world know about it.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 30, 2006 at 3:24 PM
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Johnmcnab
Like ginnieb, the words query letter and synopsis leave a bad taste in my mouth. I just don't want to do those necessary things.
posted by
TAPS.
on April 30, 2006 at 8:33 AM
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Yes, I do tend to resemble that remark.
posted by
Blanche.
on April 29, 2006 at 5:11 PM
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Blanche
Aw shucks, Blanche. Gideon's remarks about your dithering sound eeriely familiar.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 5:10 PM
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Aw, you guys are so sweet!
The quote is courtesy of Gideon who gets tired of my dithering..
posted by
Blanche.
on April 29, 2006 at 4:33 PM
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Blanche
I've never heard that one before, Blanche. I like it. If I asked Ell to hold a gun to my head, she would demand a full clip first, just in case of a misfire.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:32 PM
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Azur
Thank you for your input, Azur. The 'unless' isn't making anything redundant, but putting forward a theory ' .....the same logic should apply in North America, unless........
However, after reading your synopsis advice, I'll leave it for the weekend and then re-read it from your point of view - as I said in the post, it may be too egotistical. OK! OK! I know it is too egotistical, and I'll rewrite it, but I'm having the weekend off - after the next post.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:28 PM
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"Perfect is the enemy of done", JohnMcNab, she says with chagrin,
It goes against my grain. Tell Ell to hold a gun to your head as you press "send" and then never look back.
posted by
Blanche.
on April 29, 2006 at 4:25 PM
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ginnie
Thanks ginnie. You seem to be having an interesting time writing.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:23 PM
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FactorFiction
Enjoy Fluffy, FactorFiction, and don't go forward to the past unless you want to.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:22 PM
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20 hours on a synopsis!
I find the best way to write a synopsis is one short burst of adrenalin. You can always spend an hour or two polishing it. I don't think it should be measured in time. A synopsis needs to be written much like it's read - a quick dash through.
XX is a YYY at the point in life when BBBB has become AAA. One day XXXX and so on.......... This book is a kkkkkkkkk through llllllllll and will jjjjjjjjjjjjjj you.
Unless............ I am not sure about that. What kind of unless is it. Just as long as it's not an unless that makes redundant what else has already been read.
posted by
Azur
on April 29, 2006 at 2:10 PM
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Thanks Mac..and all the best with yours!
What I am taking is through writers on the net/writers.com and the course is Ongoing Fiction Writing Workshop (10 weeks). It's led by the author of 17 books..so it says..and you submit up to 3500 words of yer book per week and the instructor and the othe participants offer their critiques. I'm not totally enamoured with it yet...and it wasnt' cheap..but I have received some interesting observations. There are 7 'students' and it's quite a bit to keep up with reading their stuff each week. We'll see how it goes!
I took a travel writing course once and it wasn't too bad..though not brilliant by any means.
posted by
ginnieb
on April 29, 2006 at 9:25 AM
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Ah that's the part of writing that I remember hating...
rewrites and editing... too bad I was not one of the tech writers and I still did it...hey, I am remembering too much of my previous incarnation this morning...due to my comments here and on Azur's post...I better read something fluffy now...
posted by
FactorFiction
on April 29, 2006 at 7:05 AM
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BrightIrish
Thank you for that vote of confidence, BrightIrish.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:53 AM
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ginnie
I think it is Synopses, ginnie, but I'm not counting. Where are you doing the fiction writing course and who is teaching it? I'm a bit wary of courses. Writing groups are OK as they can get you fired up, but courses??? Let me know if it works, young lass. As for my synopsis - I think it is too egotistical, but I'll send it anyway after I've converted it to the present tense, whatever that means. If it works, I'll do one for you for the princely sum of nada.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:53 AM
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shellyb
Thank you Shellyb
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 29, 2006 at 4:47 AM
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John
You will do very well, I'm sure!
posted by
BrightIrish
on April 28, 2006 at 7:53 PM
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I hate synopsis'!!!
Or is that synopses? Either way....they drive me crazy! Part of a course I took covered these...and I hate query letters! Ugh!! I just only want to write the story! ;) I started a fiction writing critiquing course online and the first thing they want is the synopsis...i was stumped! Sounds like you've created a good one Mac...what do you charge to write one for me? ;)
posted by
ginnieb
on April 28, 2006 at 6:48 PM
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Good luck with it!
posted by
shelly_b
on April 28, 2006 at 6:31 PM
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