(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Writing the Partial

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert A Partial Consist of A Cover Letter The First Three Chapters A Synopsis

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert C O V E R L E T T E R A one-page letter used to entice editors to review a manuscript

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert P U R P O S E of a Cover Letter Demonstrate your unique voice Hook an editor with the story’s plot Introduce you as an author

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Cover Letter - Mechanics Formal Business Letter White paper and black ink One inch margins Standard font (12-point often) Single-space except between paragraphs End with “Sincerely” Include SASE Rewrite and proofread

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert The First Three Chapters consist of Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Dynamics of Chapter One Hook an editor’s attention Define the main characters Show the conflict Be a gateway into the rest of the story

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Dynamics of Chapter Two Keep an editor’s attention Keep the characters in character Build the conflict Connect Chapter One to Chapter Three

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Dynamics of Chapter Three Keep an editor’s attention Keep the characters in character Build the conflict Connect Chapter Two to Chapter Four

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert S Y N O P S I S condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative)

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert A Synopsis Includes: Main plot points Main characters

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Synopsis Mechanics Present Tense Single-spaced (under 2) 1-15 pages in length Capitalize first use of character names Labels for secondary characters

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Ways to Write a Synopsis: There are hundreds of ways to write a synopsis The following is one way that I use

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Act I Usually about ¼ of the story Who is your protagonist? Who is your antagonist? What does each hope to obtain? What is the main conflict? What twist will end the first act?

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Act II Usually about ½ of the story Details : Conflict intensifies Middle: Twist/Change dir. Details: Conflict intensifies End: Black Moment/Crisis

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Act III Usually about ¼ of the story Reach a satisfying conclusion that is a result of how the protagonist has changed

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Fill in Synopsis with Goals Actions Consequences

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Fill in Synopsis with Goals – something a character desperately wants; can be internal or external. Actions Consequences

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Fill in Synopsis with Goals – something a character desperately wants; can be internal or external. Actions – the natural result of a character going for his/her goal Consequences

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Fill in Synopsis with Goals – something a character desperately wants; can be internal or external. Actions – the natural result of a character going for his/her goal Consequences – the situation that occurs that directly affects the character because of his/her actions

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert G O A L S Must be urgent Have simple motivations What is your main character’s goal? What does s/he desperately want? What obstacles are in the way?

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizard at an inn to save the Shire, his home.

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert A C T I O N S Directly related to the goal Logical to goal and consequences What action will help your main character logically achieve his/her goal and defeat the obstacles at hand?

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizard at an inn to save the Shire, his home. ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reaches the inn with the help of three friends.

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert C O N S E Q U E N C E S Must be overcome by the character Leads to more conflict What are the natural consequences of the character’s actions?

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizard at an inn to save the Shire, his home. ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reaches the inn with the help of three friends. CONSEQUENCE: Frodo and his friends are tired, hungry, and thirsty.

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert CONSEQUENCES take the main character to the next GOAL.

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizard at an inn to save the Shire, his home. ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reaches the inn with the help of three friends. CONSEQUENCE: Frodo and his friends are tired, hungry, and thirsty. THEREFORE...

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring GOAL: Frodo and his three friends eat and drink in the inn’s common room while they wait for the wizard. ACTION: Frodo’s attention is caught by a Ranger and does not realize until it is too late that his friends are telling other’s Frodo’s real name. CONSEQUENCE: Frodo tries to stop them but falls, and the ring slides on his finger, and he disappears. THEREFORE...

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert You can follow the same pattern To write a synopsis for your story!