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Synopses Are Highways for Novelists -- Chapters Are Sights on the Trip
by David E. Meadows , 2005

ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED AT MILITARY.COM, July 21, 2005

Those who have served in the armed forces, went to war with the armed forces, spent time in related jobs such as merchant marines, or have become so enmeshed in the military way they should have been veterans, have written some of the best military fiction. Every one of you has a story that connects to your military experiences or your experiences with the military. Putting those military experiences on paper is easily said, but if you want your story told the way you envision it, then you have to do it yourself.

Turning your experiences into a story can be a fun-filled hobby. If spun properly, this hobby can keep the budding writer away from mundane things that everyday life throws in your path to distract your her attention such as: mowing the lawn; painting the house; carrying out the trash; walking the dog; shopping; washing dishes; visiting the in-laws.

"Honey, I have a deadline to meet so I'll be at the computer."

"You'll have more than a deadline if you don't..." are the last words heard as you shut the door.

For those who believe the way to fame and fortune are through writing, it is true for the top writers. So, if you sit down and think you're going to make a fortune on your book, you may be disappointed. Then again, you have more of a chance of writing a best seller than winning the lottery.

The cruel fact of a writer's life is that most have second jobs to support their love of writing whether it is writing for magazines; writing screenplays; or, chasing after that elusive bestseller. But, to become 'known' and to develop proven performance as a writer, you have to write and you have to become published. Writers develop portfolios like models do. Those successes show the editor that you are a writer.

It helps to think of writing as a hobby. When you're sitting in front of the word processor, tell yourself you're writing this book to please you. (It won't please you if you don't enjoy the writing experience.) You really have to want to write to be able to write, or else it becomes a labor of torture, every word a pain, something that makes mowing the lawn look pleasurable. When you find yourself looking forward to the doing those chores mentioned above, then you need to revisit what you're writing.

We discussed writing a synopsis in the last column. If you have finished a synopsis of your book, the next step will be easier. You can do it on your word processor, but I recommend doing it in print, for it's time to turn the synopsis into a chapter-by-chapter outline.

The synopsis is the map of the highway your story is going to travel. Chapters divide that highway into the sights and stops your characters and plot are going to make along the way. Chapters drive the story according to plots, subplots, actions, and times. Chapters help the writer manage his or her story.

Chapters also help your readers sense when the story is changing direction or when they can lay the book down for a bit. How many times have you laid in your bunk, rack, tent, or bed, reading only to pause and flip ahead to see how many more pages are in the chapter so you can lay it down for the night?

(NOTE: You really don't need chapters. You could write the book without using a single chapter -- others have and some still do.)

The writing tip for this column is: Join a writers group.

You can never trust the reviews of those who love you or know you. You need someone who can be objective. (NOTE: Never tell someone you love you don't trust them even when it comes to their praise on your writing.)

"Honey, I appreciate how much you like what I wrote, but I can't trust you to tell me the truth."

"You can't trust me? You want the truth! I'll tell you the truth you arrogant, little..." are the last words you hear before you wake up in the emergency room or with a divorce lawyer.

Writers groups get together periodically to talk about their writings; critique each other's writings; and, provide encouragement. You may have to shop around until you find a group that suits you and one where you value the criticism. If you can't find one, then you can always start your own. Groups are better than working one on one for a lot of reasons.

"Honey, I'm going over to Trixie's tonight to discuss writing."

Drop me an email at readermail@sixthfleet.com and join the other active duty service people and veterans in the group. If you have questions about getting published or writing, I do answer emails.

David E. Meadows / SixthFleet.Com David E. Meadows Washington D.C. E-Mail readermail@SixthFleet.Com