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How to use a spreadsheet for your synopsis

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 10 Comments

#writetip The dreaded synopsis has found its way to the top of my to-do list.

How do you take 82,000 words and summarize them in to 500 to 1000 words?

Sweat it out, of course.

As I’ve said before, I love my spreadsheets and don’t know how anyone can write a novel without one. Well, here is my next use.

One column of my spreadsheet has a name for each scene. The name represents what happens in this scene.

To create my synopsis, first I’m look for turning points in the novel. Luckily, I already have this in the spreadsheet. The turning points are events that take the story in a new direction.

Next, I write each scene name on a paper. I cross out anything that doesn’t need to be in the synopsis.  Once I do this four or five time, I write out a one line description of the scene. Now I know if I’m anywhere near the right word count. If not, I keep cutting.

I follow some simple guidelines:

–       Use protagonists POV

–       Don’t include questions

–       Use present tense

–       Write in the same voice as your novel

–       Don’t turn the synopsis into a list

–       Include the ending

If the first line of your novel is great, and I hope it is, why not use that as your opening line of your synopsis?

If you have any tips for writing a synopsis, I’d love to hear them.

 

 

Sailing and Kayaking Together

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 3 Comments

#sailing  The Bahamas provides a wide range of wind for a cruiser. Sometimes it too much and we have to find a protected anchorage. Sometimes it’s too little for windsurfing.

So for the light wind day, our friends brought out the kayak – sailboat.  It’s an interesting contraption. For kayaking, the rider pedals the boat to propel it forward. If it’s windy, then the wind does the work.

There’s always a new way to spend time and here is Matt trying out the gear.

Check out the colour of the water!

Canadian versus American Spelling

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 3 Comments

#writetip There are too many ways to spell the same word and be correct. My goal is to spell consistently, thinking that should do the trick and I’ll end up with a professional manuscript.

Now I’m having my third novel, Burnt, proofread by two people. One is Canadian, the other American.  The American is circling words that are misspelled . . . but are they?

Let’s look at the word: travel

Say, one of my character takes a trip.

Canadian Spelling:    She TRAVELLED by car.

American Spelling:   She TRAVELED by car.

I’m Canadian and want to use Canadian spelling, but what happens if I get lucky and get published in both countries? Will one set of readers think I can’t spell?

Any opinions on this one?

Spread Sheets and Novels

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 5 Comments

#writetip I don’t know how anyone writes a novel without spread sheet. The more I write, the more columns my spread sheet contains.

What I’ve discovered writing my third novel, Burnt, is that I needed to add two new columns. These columns are helpful if you are writing a mystery novel.

One column is used for clues to solving the crime. This means the reader knows the clues, but the main protagonist might not. This is especially helpful if you write from multiple points of view. If not, you probably don’t need this one.

The second column keeps track of clues the main protagonist knows. This ensures the character doesn’t mysteriously know something at the wrong time.

For a more detailed description of my complete spread sheet and how I use it, please see:

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Sailing Dogs Get Tired Too

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

#Sailing The best way to keep your dog happy while underway it to exhaust them first. Farley and Jasper had a 5K beach run before getting onboard for a day of deep sea fishing.

I’d say they look pretty happy. And so were we after catching Tuna and Mahi Mahi.

Don’t Rush The Ending

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

#writetip This week has been a big week for me. I’ m still basking in the joy of completing my novel, Burnt.

If you’ve been reading my blog this week, you know I recently completed the CWC mentorship program, and I want to share one thing I learned from Garry Ryan.

Don’t Rush the Ending.

He told me the reader has been waiting for the final scene so let them savour it.

I think I shorted my ending to get the book finished and not let it drag. I missed the importance of satisfying the reader with a deep and thoughtful final scene.

I’ve now re-written it, and thanks the mentorship program, I think (as usual – in my biased opinion) that it’s much better.

It seems like there is always something to learn when it comes to writing a novel. I guess that’s why people spend a lifetime writing.

Fishing Off a Catamaran

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 3 Comments

#sailing Does it get any better than pulling a Mahi Mahi up the back steps of your catamaran? Bahamas offers incredible deep sea fishing. The catamaran offers a great platform to fish from.

Get your gaff ready, fish bag open, and pull it aboard. Then get ready for a fantastic meal.

First Draft: Then What?

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 1 Comment

#writetip Do you get to relax and celebrate when you finish a manuscript and are getting ready to send it to your agent or publisher? You probably deserve it, but if you’re anything like me, it’s time to get to the next activity.

Yesterday, I finished updating my 3rd novel, Burnt, based on comments from Garry Ryan. I’ve sent it off to be proofread, and now, I’m not going to look at it for a couple of weeks.

What am I going to do with my time?  Well . . .

  • Write a blurb
  • Write a synopsis
  • Figure out if Burnt is the best title for the novel
  • Update my website
  • Update the CWC website
  • Update my agent’s website (Margaret Hart at HSW Literary Agency)

And on and on it goes . . .

There is so much more to writing a novel than actually writing the novel.

THANK YOU GARRY RYAN

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

#writetip As a member of the Crime Writers of Canada, I am entitled to participate in the mentorship program.  Garry Ryan, president of the Crime Writers of Canada and Author of the Detective Lane Mysteries, was my mentor.

Garry is the Winner of a 2007 LAMBDA Award and the Calgary Freedom of Expression Award 2009.

So how lucky was I feeling, when the CWC notified me that Garry would be working with me on my manuscript. Garry provided me with broad scoped and detailed feedback. He told me where I was doing things well and where I needed to work on things. He called it tweaking. I’ve saved all of his comments and will use them on future manuscripts.

If you write crime stories and are trying to get published, the CWC offers a way to get your manuscript ready.

Check out Garry’s website. He has a page that lists where you can buy his novels.

Thank you , Garry!

Beach Dogs

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 3 Comments

#sailing Our dogs love the beach. While we’re windsurfing, kiting, kayaking or swimming, the dogs are able to entertain themselves. Farley and Cali have become BFFs. They watch with concern while the gang gets geared up for another windsurfing/kiting session.

There are many uninhabited islands in the Bahamas and this means the dogs spend hour after hour off leash. There’s nowhere for them to disappear to. There’s nothing that can hurt them – well, that’s not quite true.

The sting rays can be a problem for dogs. If your dog is prone to chase them, they are likely to get stung. Not a fun experience.

The dogs keep fit digging, running, swimming and chasing crabs.