I love this idea! I've never developed via synopsis––I'm working on my second now, and I started off pantsing but now have a full outline, and am aiming to get a full draft. Love hearing about your process!
Thanks so much for sharing your process as well! It's funny how many of us natural pantsers wind up adopting outlining and synopsis-drafting as we go. It will be interesting to see how this evolves over the course of our careers, and if we wind up choosing different approaches from book to book!
Synopsis writing was much more pleasurable than I expected—and I'm still able to discovery write because I have to find my way emotionally and through character into all the twists and turns. (And more twists, haha.) Loved reading this distillation on your play with process, Kristen!
Something very similar happened to me! I wrote a proposal-slash-synopsis for Book Three two months ago when my editor had the second draft of Book Two. I felt that if I didn't obey the creative spirits they might give the idea to someone else. I sent it to my agent saying, "I know we might not take this to Publisher for many months, but I needed to get it out!" I got her validation -- both on the pitch AND on waiting a bit to bring it to them.
It's so validating to hear that you had such a similar experience!! And so exciting that you already have a strong concept for Book Three in the works! 🤩
Oooooh, that's fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing this insight into your process. I love sending voice notes to friends, but haven't really incorporated it into my writing process, yet! Definitely something for me to consider...
For me, the synopsis comes before the outline. I try to be as detailed as possible about 8-10 pages to see how I'm connecting the plot dots and addressing the thematic parts of the story. I usually share the synopsis with my agent for feedback before getting into the actual outlining.
Ooooh, I love this insight, Lisa! And that makes total sense -- I can see why it would be useful to develop an outline based on your synopsis, so you can see the entire story as clearly as possible, and ensure that it's hitting all the appropriate beats. I might have to give this a try!
This post is SO timely for me! I'm sitting down in the very near future to work on a synopsis for my WIP so we can pitch it this fall. I wrote a 1-pager when I was querying, but the 3-5 page synopsis somehow feels more daunting!
I totally understand that feeling!! I hope as you begin to craft the longer synopsis you find it to be as surprisingly enjoyable as I am. Sending you all the positive vibes on your process!! Also, I am LOVING the audiobook of The Housewarming. I’m excited to keep listening as I prepare dinner tonight! 😃
I love this idea! I've never developed via synopsis––I'm working on my second now, and I started off pantsing but now have a full outline, and am aiming to get a full draft. Love hearing about your process!
Thanks so much for sharing your process as well! It's funny how many of us natural pantsers wind up adopting outlining and synopsis-drafting as we go. It will be interesting to see how this evolves over the course of our careers, and if we wind up choosing different approaches from book to book!
Synopsis writing was much more pleasurable than I expected—and I'm still able to discovery write because I have to find my way emotionally and through character into all the twists and turns. (And more twists, haha.) Loved reading this distillation on your play with process, Kristen!
Thank you so much for your help in demystifying this process for me!! I doubt I’d be in such a positive, confident position about this without you! 🤗
Something very similar happened to me! I wrote a proposal-slash-synopsis for Book Three two months ago when my editor had the second draft of Book Two. I felt that if I didn't obey the creative spirits they might give the idea to someone else. I sent it to my agent saying, "I know we might not take this to Publisher for many months, but I needed to get it out!" I got her validation -- both on the pitch AND on waiting a bit to bring it to them.
It's so validating to hear that you had such a similar experience!! And so exciting that you already have a strong concept for Book Three in the works! 🤩
I love writing poetry, but I actually go from a voice note to an outline to form the structure
Oooooh, that's fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing this insight into your process. I love sending voice notes to friends, but haven't really incorporated it into my writing process, yet! Definitely something for me to consider...
100% pantser here!
I do LOVE the intuitive, organic feeling of the pantsing process!
For me, the synopsis comes before the outline. I try to be as detailed as possible about 8-10 pages to see how I'm connecting the plot dots and addressing the thematic parts of the story. I usually share the synopsis with my agent for feedback before getting into the actual outlining.
Ooooh, I love this insight, Lisa! And that makes total sense -- I can see why it would be useful to develop an outline based on your synopsis, so you can see the entire story as clearly as possible, and ensure that it's hitting all the appropriate beats. I might have to give this a try!
This post is SO timely for me! I'm sitting down in the very near future to work on a synopsis for my WIP so we can pitch it this fall. I wrote a 1-pager when I was querying, but the 3-5 page synopsis somehow feels more daunting!
I totally understand that feeling!! I hope as you begin to craft the longer synopsis you find it to be as surprisingly enjoyable as I am. Sending you all the positive vibes on your process!! Also, I am LOVING the audiobook of The Housewarming. I’m excited to keep listening as I prepare dinner tonight! 😃
Ahh that's so exciting, thank you for listening!! xoxo