Photo (Inspiration) Challenge
Helpful tips for writing your synopsis:
There are a lot more helpful descriptions via the link above (I found it helpful to read the differences between a blurb, synopsis, and summary), as well as links to other articles going into more detail on how to write a synopsis.
Judges will be chosen and given the task of deciding their top choice for the winning entry based on how well the entries fits the description of a synopsis and follow the rules below:
Based on the photo above, participants can submit a SHORT synopsis (in the comment area below) of what story they believe is hidden behind the eyes of the young lady featured in the antique photo (above). Entries (for this particular writing challenge) must be
presented in the form of a SYNOPSIS.
Helpful tips for writing your synopsis:
Synopsis: “A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work. It is the Summary of a story told in present tense. A brief outline or general view, as of a subject or written work; an abstract or a summary." (x)
Writers use synopsis to sell their work. They’re in present tense,
and they sum up the story/idea interestingly and succinctly. A synopsis
is a type of summary. Read more here: http://writeworld.tumblr.com/post/42841871845/this-is-a-towel-summaries-synopses-and-blurbs
There are a lot more helpful descriptions via the link above (I found it helpful to read the differences between a blurb, synopsis, and summary), as well as links to other articles going into more detail on how to write a synopsis.
Here is a link to one of the articles that I found very helpful: http://janefriedman.com/2011/10/25/novel-synopsis/.
"The synopsis conveys the narrative arc of your novel; it shows what happens and who changes, from beginning to end. The synopsis ensures character actions and motivations are realistic and
make sense. A synopsis will reveal any big problems in your story . . . A synopsis will reveal plot flaws, serious gaps in
character motivation, or a lack of structure. A synopsis also can reveal
how fresh your story is; if there’s nothing surprising or unique, your
manuscript may not get read." ~ Jane Friedman
Judges will be chosen and given the task of deciding their top choice for the winning entry based on how well the entries fits the description of a synopsis and follow the rules below:
Rules:
*LENGTH: The entry can not exceed 500 words to be considered by the judges.*
- Think! Any entries/comments deemed inappropriate by the author of this blog will be deleted. Please use common sense and courtesy for other readers before posting.
- Remember! Grammar, spelling and punctuation count.
- Suggestion: Ask a friend to edit your entry before submitting it as your final entry.
- Winners! The top two winners will be announced after the contest ends. This will be part of a special blog post, in which their winning entry will be highlighted.
- Surprise! There will be a panel of judges (consisting of published authors), evaluating and deciding upon the top two winning entries. The judges will also be preparing a surprise gift for those in the top two & sharing words of advice during the special blog post.
- Share! Feel free to share a link to your blog, especially if you have expanded the synopsis into a full story.
- Deadline!! ALL ENTRIES must be submitted in the comment area OR by "linking up" at the bottom of this post by Saturday, August 17, 2013 ~ MIDNIGHT ~ EST in order to be considered by the judges.
- *You're
more than welcome to share an entry you come up with at a later time in
the comment area, but any posted after the deadline will not be
considered as a part of this contest.
Make sure to share this writing opportunity with all your writing friends!
Now, let's have some fun!
ADDLED BY ADELAIDE
ReplyDeleteA synopsis
Orphan ADELAIDE “ADDIE” BREWSTER loves taking care of the children at Harmony House, but when the proprietor announces that she is closing the school’s door at the end of the term, Addie is forced to find a new position. With her food and employment prospects running out, Addie responds to an advertisement from a widower in Nebraska who is looking for a wife and mother for his two young children. With only a single change of clothes, a few coins, and the one-way railroad ticket she’d been sent, Addie boards the train for Nebraska. However, when she arrives in Big Springs there is no one waiting for her at the station. The station master points her toward the church where she walks in on her intended’s funeral.
The last thing the recently jilted preacher/farmer HARRISON GRAFFAM expects to deal with at his brother’s funeral is an unexpected mail-order bride from the East. In a hurry to be rid of her, Harrison sends Addie to the hotel, promising to pay her fare back home. But Addie refuses to leave Big Springs. Harrison returns to his farm but he finds being a father is more difficult than being an uncle, and much more time consuming. With Sunday quickly approaching and his sermon is disrepair Harrison reluctantly turns to Addie, allowing her to care for his young charges, LILLIAN and ROSE.
Irritated with the condescending Harrison, Addie strives to prove herself through ingenuity and hard work. But her efforts turn disastrous as she moves from one calamity to another, including almost burning down the barn and falling into an old well, further proving Harrison’s belief that Eastern women do not belong on the frontier. Despite his annoyance with Adelaide’s penchant for trouble, Harrison finds himself attracted to the determined woman who has won the hearts of his nieces. Addie, too, is confused by the feelings Harrison stirs in her, especially when his strong arms rescue her from yet another misadventure.
Harrison attempts to place distance between them by taking the girls to visit another town on a supply run. The girls enjoy themselves but when they return home both Lillian and Rose show signs of Scarlet Fever, the same disease that had claimed Harrison’s younger sister years before. Addie’s years in the orphanage trained her for dealing with the sickness and she takes over treatment, but not before Harrison, worn down with his work on the farm and at the church, contracts the disease. While the girls recover, Harrison slips closer toward death causing Addie to realize the love and esteem she holds for this man.
As Harrison pivots on the edge of the grave, Addie prays constantly for his recovery. Finally the fever brakes, and Harrison begins to improve. As he does, he realizes that Addie may be strong enough to handle the rigors of the frontier, unlike the fiancée who jilted him. Returned to health, Harrison professes his love and makes Adelaide his wife.
As always, wonderful work Christina! God has surely blessed you with a wonderful talent for telling a story! Now, get busy and finish this novel so I can read the whole story! :-)
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