When I started this insane journey a couple of years ago, I really had no idea where it would take me. At first I insisted that I was writing for myself and I wasn't going to share my work with anyone. That quickly changed when I confided my newest obsession of writing to my cousin who was in the same boat. I felt beyond lucky that I had someone who knew exactly what I was going through and it was a bonus that she's a part of my family. These past couple of years we've stayed in contact speaking once a week, if not more, exchanging ideas and swapping stories from frustration to triumph and everything in between.
Prior to the RWA National Conference in DC this past July, I worked diligently to get my manuscript finished and in tip-top shape. I had an appointment with an agent and an editor during the conference and I wanted to be ready to send out my ms as soon as I got back if it was requested. Well, it was requested. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is the request of the synopsis to accompany it. I was on cloud nine after receiving the requests that I didn't really think about what the synopsis entailed. I wasn't worried. I planned to come home, spew out a synopsis, and send it off. No biggie. Right? Wrong.
That was back in July. Here it is almost September and I still don't have it completed. It's been the most dreadful experience thus far in the process of becoming published. It's my version of Hell. I'm hoping once I get practice, my vision of this will change and that it will be just a small blip of frustration on the long, bumpy, winding path to accomplishing my dream. Unfortunately, I can't see that far ahead because the synopsis is blocking my view and sucking all of the positivity from me.
Fortunately, I am NOT a quitter and I DO love a challenge. There is no way I'm going to let this get the best of me. I may whine along the way (Lisa can attest to that) and occasionally attempt to pull my hair out (the cussing and throwing of objects is a given). I must get this done. That's what I keep repeating to myself. I need to move on, to finish other WIP's, and start new ones, but I can't do that until this damn synopsis is completed and in the mail attached to my ms.
In the mean time, I have found a couple of helpful sites. One is http://www.lisagardner.com/tricks/synopsis.htm and the other http://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.html.
I'm happy to report that I have sat down this afternoon and am making headway. It's still dreadful, but it's something. Once I get the first draft of the synopsis down, I think it will be easier to trim/add where needed and I might feel like I've accomplished something.
Feel free to share your experiences, good or bad, we don't discriminate...although we might not share our chocolate!
I will leave you now so I can consume this heaping bowl of pasta sitting in front of me and so that I can get back to overcoming my Hell.
Synopsis Hell
Procrastination Station
Lisa's Addiction
Thought I would get the week off with a great start. The kiddies occupied. Check. Computer ready to go. Check. Junior Mints in reach. Check. Writing about to commence. Check. Uh, well. First, I have to go on the Internet, you know, just to check email, face book, twitter. The usual suspects. And then it happens. I find myself somewhere I shouldn't be. It's not my fault, really. It's just so good. It's my secret guilty pleasure. Every time I turn on my computer, it's like a siren's song, calling me to abandon my good intentions and cavort in cyberspace. Do the procrastination dance. Tempting. Funny.
What is this guilty pleasure I speak of? What keeps me rooted to my chair engaged in activities other than writing my bestselling novel?
Fan Fiction.
You heard it. Fan Fiction. I discovered this strangely intriguing area of fiction quite by accident a few months ago and have become addicted. Mostly, I read TV fan fiction but there is fan fiction for everything from TV to movies to books. It's amazing. It's addicting. Some of it is absolutely wonderful. Some is horrid. I have to admit, I get off on reading the horrid stuff. It cracks me up and hey, I admire anyone willing to put themselves out there. It takes a lot of guts. Plus, it's a great way sharpen your skills, learn the writing craft. *Blushes* Okay, you caught me. I've tried it. I've written a fanfic. It will never see the light of day. It's just for me. But, I tell you, when I can't find a writing groove, I start fashioning a fanfic and the words flow. It warms up my writing muscles. Plus, it's sooo bloody fun.
Why am I sharing this obvious vice? Not sure. Maybe it's like AA. I need support to conquer my addiction. Maybe it's a form of validation. Like if someone out there shares my addiction, I'll feel better about myself.
I find a lot of my fanfic @www.fanfiction.net
Warning: Highly addicting! Writers looking for a reason to procrastinate are highly susceptible!
Anyone else out there have procrastination addictions? Secret love of fanfic? Share!
Who we are and why we are.
About two years ago, I was in the middle of writer hell. A horrible place to be, believe me. Nothing was working. My heroine was wimpy with dry, fly away hair and chronic halitosis. I couldn't buy the hero's love. No one would. She sucked. I sucked. I was lonely and slowly going insane. Because of writing. My husband didn't get it. My kids could barely talk. My mom just nodded politely like and asked if I wanted some Panda Paws ice cream. The lady knows me.
Then, one day, whilst talking with my cuz on the phone, I realized something amazing. I. Was. Not. Alone. She was in the same writer's hell! Since that time we have suffered together, laughed together, and basically bonded over the extremely maddening yet highly enjoyable (we couldn't Live without writing!) art of putting our stories on paper.
Over the years, we have discovered many things about each other and our writing. Kellie doesn't have a problem killing off her heroines (which might I note, only happened one time) (yeah, but it made me cry! damn you!) and I have a thing about demons. Sexy demons. Oh, and frogs with evil red eyes. Thus, Dangerous Scribes were born. We enjoy torturing and or killing off our characters. It amuses us. It gets us through our days without killing actual humans. What can we say? Whatever keeps us off the Most Wanted list, right?
At this point we are both at different stages of writing.
Kellie went to RWA National Conference in DC this summer and had fabulous time meeting other writers and partying with my new friends and favorite authors. Yes, she did meet Nora Roberts....3 times! Her ms, Homecoming, was requested by an agent along with a synopsis. That's where she's stuck. In synopsis Hell!
As for me, Lisa, I am in the process of editing two manuscripts. Demons Bite is a Young Adult paranormal that is finished but needs editing. And Dancing with Willie Shakespeare, a Chick Lit Space Opera (yeah, I know) that needs editing and oh, yeah, finishing. We both have NANO manuscripts from 2008 that need editing and polishing!
Our ultimate goal is to be published authors. Maybe National Bestselling Authors. Sure, it could happen. In the meantime, come along on our journey. Do not be afraid. Chocolate will be eaten, objects may hit the wall (our manuscripts perhaps?) and cuss words may be used. We mean no harm. If you have similar experiences, please share with us. If you just want to blow off steam, leave a comment. All are welcome. Once a week we'll share our writing joys and miseries. We may even just review a book we admire or a movie we have become obsessed over. You never know, we are just that unpredictable. Such as life.
