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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Writing the Partial
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
A Partial Consist of
• A Cover Letter
• The First Three Chapters
• A Synopsis
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(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
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(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
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(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
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The First Three Chaptersconsist of
• Chapter One
• Chapter Two
• Chapter Three
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(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
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(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
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(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
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
S Y N O P S I S
condensed
statement or outline
(as of a narrative)
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
A Synopsis Includes:
• Main plot points
• Main characters
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(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
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(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
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(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?
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(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
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(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
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Fill in Synopsis with
Goals
Actions
Consequences
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Fill in Synopsis with
Goals – something a character desperately wants; can
be internal or external.
Actions
Consequences
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(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
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(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
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(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?
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring
GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizardat an inn to save the Shire, his home.
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(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?
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring
GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizardat an inn to save the Shire, his home.
ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reachesthe inn with the help of three friends.
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(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?
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring
GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizardat an inn to save the Shire, his home.
ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reachesthe inn with the help of three friends.
CONSEQUENCE: Frodo and his friends are tired, hungry, and thirsty.
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
CONSEQUENCEStake the main
characterto the next
GOAL.
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring
GOAL: Frodo agrees to change his name and meet a wizardat an inn to save the Shire, his home.
ACTION: Frodo crosses a field, hides from Black Riders, and reachesthe inn with the help of three friends.
CONSEQUENCE: Frodo and his friends are tired, hungry, and thirsty.
THEREFORE . . .
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Example: from The Fellowship of the Ring
GOAL: Frodo and his three friends eat and drink in the inn’scommon room while they wait for the wizard.
ACTION: Frodo’s attention is caught by a Ranger and does not realizeuntil it is too late that his friends are telling other’s Frodo’sreal name.
CONSEQUENCE: Frodo tries to stop them but falls, and the ring slides on hisfinger, and he disappears.
THEREFORE . . .
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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
You can follow the same pattern
To write a synopsis for your story!