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Sounds silly doesn’t it? ‘Of course I understand my book’, I hear you say, I would have said the same before. You might be right, but here is a very simple exercise/test to ensure that you do:
Previously, these words invoked a feeling of dread in my soul but they don’t need to! It all changed once I started to follow this easy structure:
While struggling with their everyday life, Character finds the catalyst; BUT when the stakes rise they must learn the theme before the consequences ruin their life.
Let’s take The Hunger Games for example:
With her family on the brink of starvation, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen must leave them and take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, an annual event where 24 teenagers fight to the death until only one survives; But when she is hunted by a pack of elite, highly trained tributes, she must learn who she can trust and form an alliance before they kill her and her family are left to rot.
Well damn, that sounds dramatic and enticing, but it also lays out our characters life, wants and challenges all in a single (albeit rather long) sentence.
After writing my one line summary, I began to understand my plot in a much clearer light. I understand my theme, my focus and it allows me to ground my plot as I edit my manuscript. I only wish I’d known to do it before!
Whatever stage your at—drafting, editing, querying—I highly recommend you give this a try. Feel free to drop a one sentence summary of your WIP below as getting feedback is always really helpful! I’m there much could be done to improve the one line summary I’ve given above, so feel free to improve on that too.
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Paris Boulevard 1939
Konstantin Korovin
when you want to be slutty but catholicism has repressed your sexuality (okay YEAH half of it is hozier and sufjan stevens, is anyone surprised?)
i’m sad and i need to fucking cry because i’ve been repressing my emotions my entire life
i’m so emotionally drained and i need a breath of fresh air. all about that healing, luv
i’m dealing with a toxic breakup and BOY OH BOY do i need to process it
the perfect playlist to slow-dance to in an open, empty field
i don’t regret loving you, but wow do i ever fucking miss you. you are my musical leitmotif; everything reminds me of you… of us.
I’M SO AFRAID OF COMMITMENT
summer fling turned sour (it’s entirely in french, though)
i miss you and i promise i won’t ever forget you. (basically if shakespeare’s sonnet no. 55 was ever made into a playlist)
feelin’ absolutely BUCK-WILD tonight! the sun is gone, it’s pitch black, and all i want to do is scream in exhilaration! wow, i’m really feeling that night-time rush. is this how teens in movies feel?
a comprehensive wlw playlist featuring soft, yearning emotions, to anger, to sadness… truly an entire spectrum
Bad Bitch Bangerz
i’m gay and i’m in love with my roommate, but he’s sending me mixed signals and i don’t know what to do (truly any mlm who’s loved a confusing boy will be able to relate to it)
imagine how things could have been if we were still together and i didn’t run away
bitch, i’m a CRAB
things are changing and i’m alright with that
is it simply that the stresses and strains of a long-distance relationship are taking their toll?
I LOVE MY FRIENDS!!!!!!!
stuck in a painting
they’re best listened to in order since i’m a nerd and i like it when my playlists make sense, sonically and in terms of narrative. also every image in my spotify were all taken by me! (yes, i have rainbow finger hands,,,,,,)
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