Chaos Theory Thursday

Diverting from our normal linear pattern of writing prompts, suggestions, and inspirations to kick that writer brain in gear, I've decided to explore the world of Chaos.

Is chaos really chaotic or is it just nature's way of reorganizing, growing, and pushing us beyond ourselves? I don't have an answer, but I'll start a discussion and see where you go with it pertaining to our writing lives.

Imagery used on source site
to show chaos

Over the past three and a half months, one thing after another has been thrown at my family. Now, I'm not a complainer; that would just be a waste of time. But when life tosses you about like a leaf fighting for its last, lonely breath in the Fall breeze, it's hard to keep a positive view of your world. These 'things' have clogged my writer brain and kept me from writing creatively. I've still been keeping up with my freelance work and even moving forward with my plans to start designing book covers. But forging ahead with the sequel to Marked Beauty - which will hopefully be out this year - hasn't happened.

I recently found this on, believe it or not, a Chaos Theory website. Yes. This is an actual study. Go figure.

Chaos Theory - Study of nonlinear systems; Chaos theory studies pattern and organization within nonlinear systems. Nonlinear systems are typically characterized by unpredictability (weather, populations, stock market, etc.) Chaos theory is about discovering how simple predictable functions can create unpredictable results. Through the discoveries of chaos theory, we are able to understand how systems which were once thought to be completely chaotic actually have predictable patterns. Chaos theory originated in the 1960s. One of the early pioneers was a professor at M.I.T. named Edward Lorenz, who designed computer models of the weather. (Source: Fractals and Chaos Theory.)

There is loads more information, ponderers, and discussions on this site as well as others about this topic. What really struck me was this statement: Through the discoveries of chaos theory, we are able to understand how systems which were once thought to be completely chaotic actually have predictable patterns. 

So, does chaos really exist, or, as I questioned at the beginning of this post, is it nature's way of moving forward? Have you find after chaotic periods in your personal life that your writing life has been enhanced or dulled? 

Synopsis Check List 101

Since we've cut down our Whoseywhatsit Thursday Critique offering to once a month--1st Thursday for you to enter and the 3rd Thursday we release our collective critique--we've decided to explore some writing techniques on the off Thursdays.

This month, we offered to critique your synopsis. So I think it's appropriate to go over a short list of Do's that will help us all write concise and meaningful synopsis'.

FYI of a synopsis:

• average length: 1 to 2 single-spaced pages; double-spaced between paragraphs. 
• some agents/editors/publishers have specification for the synopsis' they want to received. Check their guidelines. Some are willing to read a longer synopsis, such as 3-5 pages, but usually those are then double-spaced.

DO'S

- Start with a hook. Just as we strive to engage the reader from the start of our novel, we must do the same with our synopsis. Think of it as a combination between the hook you've used in your query letter and the collective mood you've used within your first chapter. Combining that thought process can sometimes be helpful.
- Introduce the Main Characters ONLY. Don't get me wrong; if you have a secondary character that is necessary to mention to tell the story then do so. But you don't have to highlight the store clerk said MC met, unless it's pivotal to the plot. Make sure to include each character's MOTIVATIONS, CONFLICTS, and GOALS.
-Condense each paragraph into a fine-tuned mini-story, leaving out unnecessary details like adjectives and too much description. Instead, use an event (ACTION) and then that character's (REACTION) to convey your story.

• First paragraph should encompass your story's setup. 
• Continue to tell the story, using ONLY the important elements that forge your main plot forward. Make sure to tell the agent/editor everything, though, those important elements.
• The last two(ish) paragraphs should concentrate on all your subplots meeting in the middle: CRISIS AND RESOLUTION.

- Finally, BREATHE. Set it aside. Have another writer peek at it. Then give it another look. Edit until it's as concise as you can write it.