When I visit Border’s or Barnes and Noble, I always take time to browse the writing section.  I want to see what folks are buying to help them with their writing dreams.  A scroll through books on writing on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com can be just as enlightening.  I have found books that will help me write a novel in 7 days or 30 days or write a book in a weekend.  There are books that provide insight on how to write a novel, a horror story, memoirs, travelogues and more.

I have some of those books on the shelves in my office.  They helped me in my early stages of writing and continue to serve as ready references.  Most of these books provide step by step instructions on how to write a “can’t miss” fiction book.  Initially I found the step by step approach exceedingly helpful.  Occasionally, though, those books became overwhelming – so detailed, so much information, so many things to consider.  I wonder if folks who follow those step by step processes ever finish their manuscripts.  This is especially true with books that provide helps and hints on writing one’s life story.

I believe there is a critical step to negotiate before one even turns to writing books.  Prior to plunging into writing the actual rough draft, I challenge my clients to create a 150 word synopsis for their manuscript.  Yes, I ask them to do that even before generating an outline or writing the first paragraph.

Writing the 150 word synopsis forces the writer to focus on the theme of her manuscript.  If the synopsis is not clearly stated, then the writing will not appear crisp and the contents of the manuscript will most likely meander.

The tighter the synopsis; the more coherent and focused the writing.  With a synopsis before them, writers have a path to follow.  Everything that is written in the manuscript should support the synopsis so that when the reader finishes reading, she can declare, “Yes, the book did what it said it would do.”

Knowing where you want to go and what you intend to deliver in your writing are critical elements for beginning writers. The synopsis stands as a beacon amidst the muddle of ideas and possibilities and what ifs.

More seasoned writers opt to write their 150 word synopsis when they have completed their manuscripts. Only then do they really know what they wrote, how the journey was made, what was shared along the way and where they ended up.  This is not to suggest that seasoned writers ply their trade without direction.  All writers have a theme in mind, a purpose and an intention.  The more one writes, the more one discovers that sometimes the book has a mind of its own and will take the writer in directions not considered initially.  That is when writers learn to trust their muse or their inner voice.

For the emerging writer, having a focus and staying focused (on point) is more critical in the beginning stages of writing.  If you are just getting in to writing, I urge you to create your 150 word  synopsis at the beginning of your journey.  Express clearly what readers will learn and gain from reading your work, then write to make it happen.

If you want to read some examples, check out the back cover of most soft cover books.  There you will find the 150 word synopsis.

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• |75.139.140.xxx |2010-04-29 18:59:35 Doug  - LIKE IT
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