Speaking of synopses or even blurbs, their best usage seems to be not for describing what you’ve written so readers, editors, producers, et al will have some understanding of what it is, but for describing what you’re going to write so you’ll understand about it to finish the damn ms. without killing your favorite character along the way.
LB’s NOTE: Here’s how the NYTimes subheading described this article by Edward Sorel when the paper published it last month:
Things weren’t easy between the creator of the hard-boiled detective and the high-flying director.
Because, you know, otherwise the film aficionados who would be attracted by the headline wouldn’t want to continue reading. I’m not a fan of either of these great talents (although I certainly acknowledge that they were indeed great at what they did), but I thoroughly enjoyed the following:
“And there,” as Strother Martin said many years ago in one of my favorite films, “you have it.”
To put it another way, is there any experience anywhere more depressing than pitching a story – any story – in “Hollywood?”
And yet another way:
I’m fascinated by overthinking. We all do it one way or another and at one time or another.
Mostly I overthink the reasons for scheduling and performing tasks that seem difficult or at best unpleasant. As a writer, I also tend to overthink English language usage, but not nearly as much as Derek Haines has in an article called “A Comma Before Because After a Negative Clause.” that I just read at justpublishingadvice.com.
The latest in the LATIMES continuing series of articles for all their hopeful subscribers. I keep wondering if more people than ever are coming to L.A. to get into the Industry? Or is it less? Anyone got the figures?
Anyway, this article by Ada Tseng is quite informative, and if you’re a subscriber – or a non-subscriber who hasn’t used up your free reads – you can check it out HERE.
#tvwriting #screenwriting #writingtips #writerslife