(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 Chaptersconsist 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 wizardat 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 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.

(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 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.

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert

CONSEQUENCEStake the main

characterto 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 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 . . .

(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 . . .

(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert

You can follow the same pattern

To write a synopsis for your story!