Workshop Description:
Writing a marketing blurb can be difficult—you want to put so much into it, but the point is to intrigue the reader. It needs to be short, interesting, and set the tone for the reader. On the other hand, a synopsis needs to cover the entire story—the point of a synopsis is to let an agent or editor know you have a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. All the major plot points should be included, but it’s got to be short enough not to bore a reader.
This workshop will cover:
– What Needs to be in a Synopsis
– Theme, Protagonist/Antagonist, Character Goals, Motivations,
And the Ending!
– Hooking the Reader with Sizzle—the Blurb
– Opening lines, Opening Paragraphs
– Tone and Tension in the Burb and the Synopsis
– Use of Sub Plots and Other Characters
– Going Past Clichés
– Tired Phrases and Fresh Modifiers
– Polish, Polish, Polish
– Tense, Editing, Format
– A Short Checklist
By doing the writing exercises, you’ll come out of this with a marketing blurb and a short one to two page synopsis.
Instructor Bio:
Shannon Donnelly’s writing has won numerous awards, including the Indie BRAG Gold Medallion, a nomination for Romance Writer’s of America’s RITA award, the Grand Prize in the “Minute Maid Sensational Romance Writer” contest, judged by Nora Roberts, and others. Her writing has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and other reviewers, who note: “simply superb”…”wonderfully uplifting”….and “beautifully written.” Her Regency romance, Lady Chance, and her Regency romance novella, Davinia’s Duke, were each awarded the Indie BRAG Gold Medallion. Davinia’s Duke also won the Bookseller’s Best award for best novella, judged by readers and booksellers.
In addition to her Regency romances, she is the author of the Mackenzie Solomon, Demon/Warders Urban Fantasy series, Burn Baby Burn and Riding in on a Burning Tire, and the SF/Paranormal, Edge Walkers. Her work has been on the top seller list of Amazon.com and includes the Historical romances, The Cardros Ruby and Paths of Desire.
She lives in New Mexico where she is a licensed EMT-I and a volunteer Firefighter in what is one of the few “frontier” areas left in the US (yes, New Mexico is a state), with room for horses, dogs, chickens and sustainable building. Shannon can be found online at shannondonnelly.com.