Support Page: Manuscript Tips

For all of you who are considering traditional publication of original manuscripts, here is a short summary of the steps I found myself taking:

1. A Draft Is Not A Final Manuscript.

Having completed your story, realise it's not yet a manuscript. I am not sure how the Oxford English Dictionary defines a "manuscript". Candidly, this is not the issue I faced. The issue is that once you have written a story with chapters, beginning middle and end, it's still a raw product.

Initially, I made the mistake of showing my "raw product" to anyone who took an interest. This is a flawed notion. Distributing uncopyrighted, unproofed work to someone who you don't know well, and has little interest in supporting your efforts, is tauntamount to literary suicide.

Also publishing directly on the Net is open to question, since this content is "Public Domain" unless you copyright. My guide to painless copyrighting can be found here.

On the Net an author will not have the backup of an experienced publisher or agent. Readers may support online writers, but I am specifically referring to authors publishing in the traditional paperback fiction markets, please note.

2. Your Raw Product Needs Attention.

This is what I call the proofing and indexing phase. It's not complicated. Even if you got straight A's in English Language and Literature, you still need a trusted pair of eyes to proof (systematically correct) your work because a good writer focuses on writing, not final presentation.

The outcome of proofing will be you have a more polished, readable product for readers, including those all-important reviewing agents and prospective publishers. (Although over-drafting should be avoided. Two drafts is recommended as sufficient by Stephen King in his excellent book "On Writing", for example).

Please note, it's the final draft you want to give your proofer. Passing a proofer a first draft will slow down a final draft being produced. Due to the possibility of re-drafting and re-proofing becoming necessary.

By indexing, I mean simple chapter indexing at the beginning of your story. For example:

Chapter 1 - In The Beginning
Chapter 2 - Let There Be Light
Chapter 3 - Endgame

This is especially useful for stories above 20,000 words. In my novella, for example, I incorrectly numbered one of my chapters, affecting the numbering of all chapters that followed. I realised a simple chapter index acts as a map, so the chapters can be located quickly when final drafting and proofing occurs.

3. Use A Recent Word-processor.

This may sound obvious, but for writers like me without state-of-the-art computers and software, its an important point. Because formatting, saving and printing your magnus opus becomes a significant factor later. You may have spent two years compiling your masterpiece, unless it can be read, saved and printed easily by publishers, printing firms and typesetters, not forgetting yourself and your proofer, your efforts will be hampered.

I recommend all manuscripts be written in 12pt Arial, page-numbered, single-sheet with double-spacing, unless publishers and agents specifically require other formatting. (It's worth asking in advance if no-one makes this clear!)

4. Final Thoughts.

Besides the wonderful "Writers' & Artists' Yearbook", the only other book I highly recommend serious writers read is Stephen King's "On Writing". Whether one is a SK Fan or not, anyone who argues that King has not been at the top of his profession for over twenty years, cannot have checked the best-seller lists.

"On Writing" represents an honest, contemporary account about the creative writer's journey from unknown to best-selling author. He covers important matters including editing, writing credits and the "toolbox" of skills needed. He includes examples, common errors to avoid and personal recollections that are worth their weight in gold to any aspiring author.

King's Six Key Writing Rules

I hope I have written a useful, concise guide. Feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
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Support Page - Synopsis Writing (Examples)

In this article, I will define what a synopsis is, include (what I believe to be) well-written examples and analyse how good ones engage a potential readership, or audience.

Synopsis - A Definition:

The first synopsis I submitted was for a writing competition. The publisher asked for one a page in length, so my first point is that synopses for publishers will usually be no longer, unless your publisher or agent has special requirements. (That's if one is requested at all).

I was not that familiar with writing them, so I looked online for guides. (There's many helpful ones on the Net). I discovered the fundamental elements of a synopsis are the following:-

1. Include your main characters and their relationship to each other (Eg. friends)
2. Set the scene (Also known as an opener).
3. Describe the main action of opening events in a concise form (Eg. Someone is in trouble).
4. Hint at possible conclusions, but encourage the reader to imagine what these will be.

Here are my examples including reasons for selection.

Star Wars - A New Hope. (Written by George Lucas)

The ubiquitous written openers that appear at the beginning of Star Wars movies are perfect examples of short, engaging synopses. They create suspense, offer essential information about the coming story and provide an epic feel so audiences can use their imaginations.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . .

It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.

During the battle rebel spies manage to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate secret weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armoured battle station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.

Pursed by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, the custodian of the stolen plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy. . ."

This synopsis has a short informative opener "civil war" , then sets up dramatic tension between the two main groups in the story "rebels" and "empire". Interestingly, only two plot elements are mentioned, "plans" that have been stolen and the pursuit of Princess Leia by "agents". Infact, the initial plot centres around two robots that find themselves stranded on a remote desert world. In this case, the synposis writer has only given two introductory plotting details, but this is arguably enough to set the scene.

Also, I find the exclusion of many leading characters in this synposis telling. The writer has resisted the temptation to mention central figures, although again, arguably for the purposes of a synopsis, this was not necessary.

Christine. (Written By Stephen King)

I've included this synopsis because it has a different tone to that of Star Wars. Although its just as engaging, the approach is graphic and driven rather than epic and expansive.

"Christine, blood-red and fat finned, was twenty. Her promise lay in her past. Greedy and big, she was Arnie's obsession, a '58 Plymouth Fury. Broken down but not finished. There was still power in her - a frightening power that leaked like sump oil, staining and corrupting. A malign power that corroded the mind and turned ownership into Possession."

Here, King manages to encapsulate the essense of the story for readers. He mentions the central characters and their relationship (classic rule of synopsis writing) and conveys this in an intimate, driven way (perfect for gripping horror). No plotting details are mentioned at all, although these are infered rather cleverly, leaving readers to imagine what might occur in the coming narrative.

Analysis:

From the selected examples above, three important points to good synopsis writing emerge. The tone of a forthcoming story is important to establish (epic, intense, romantic) as well as describing opening events concisely. Central characters need to be introduced, though one can resist the temptation to mention all of them. The imagination of the reader should be encouraged, though not too many plotting details need to be revealed. Read more!