Hey guys, just a little something I found out after I thought I finished writing my first book, I really don’t like writing a synopsis; I’ve learned they are as important as the books I write. When I submitted my first book (Not the one I published; no, no, no), all I received was rejection after rejection. If I had taken it to heart, I may have given up; instead, I used it as lessons learned. Alone with those rejections comes side notes, (they are a little hard to see when your face is in your hands); they offer tidbits of information that can help you get passed the rejections, (note, I did not say get the agent). One of those tips is for you to write a solid synopsis. That is what they read before they squint at that one chapter manuscript you submitted with that… well, that painstakingly, agonizing thing I called a synopsis. If you’re like me, you’ll need all the help you can get. I’m no expert, but I am a quick study. Here’s my first tip.

• How do you grab the attention of those that we want to read our books? You do that the same way you do when you are trying to catch a fish, you put something in front of the fish that makes them want it. There’s nothing like going after that big one with a hook and no bait. How you start is very important, you get them in the mood. The best example I can think of is a song by the late great Teddy Pendergrass. He set the mood from the start of his songs. After a few seconds of soft music, he sings “Turn off the lights, and burn a candle…” I tell you a brother don’t stand a chance at a concert when the likes of Teddy, Barry, and the many other greats are wooing all the ladies for a couple of hours. It doesn’t matter if it’s Romance, Action, Adventure, Comedy, etc… you find a way to “Set The Mood.”

Until next time.

J. Lew