Hope you all are staying safe out there and taking care of one another.
A good friend of mine suggested I make a short post about something that might be of interest to writers who are participating in any upcoming challenges that involve partnering up with artists.
I’ll use the Spn J2 Big Bang on LiveJournal as an example, because that is currently active right now. Authors are asked to submit story summaries for artists and the summaries are posted anonymously by Wendy, the moderator. Artists have a week to peruse them and then put in a claim on the weekend for the one they’d like to work on. First come, first served and the partnership is forged. Simple enough.
Now, this post isn’t about writing summaries for the reader, which is an art unto itself. That “blurb on the back of the book” should tease a reader, spark their interest and make them want to open up to the first page and dive in. Writing summaries is not easy and I know many people struggle with them.
But writing summaries for challenges like the one I referenced above has a few other considerations.
Let me give you an example of a fake summary written for a challenge where I am trying to attract an artist to my work:
On the run and afraid to trust anyone, Jensen doesn’t fully understand why he takes Jared--someone who has secrets of his own-- under his wing anyway. Will he even be able to live to regret it or will it end up being the best decision Jensen’s ever made?
To a reader, the (fake) summary) comes across as a little mysterious (which might pique someone’s interest). There’s a sense of adventure and danger (because Jensen is “on the run”) with some past injury (maybe physical or emotional) hinted at because we know that Jensen is described as “afraid to trust”. And Jared is just a big question mark. I might read this.
As an artist, while I might be intrigued by the story, I’ve got very little inspiration from those lines. Where does this take place? When does this take place? What other characters are in the story? How old are J2 and how do they look? Who or what is the Big Bad?
For challenges where the summary is meant to give an artist a preview of the work, don’t be afraid to add these details to your summary. Remember, this summary isn’t for the reader, but the artist.
As an artist, a more helpful summary might instead read:
On the run and afraid to trust anyone, Jensen doesn’t fully understand why he takes Jared--someone who has secrets of his own-- under his wing anyway. Will he even be able to live to regret it or will it end up being the best decision Jensen’s ever made? Note to artists: This story is set in the past (think 1950s America, mostly centered in the Deep South). Jensen is in his thirties, with a permanent stubble, unkempt appearance in period typical clothing of a working man. Jared is a few years younger than him and dresses in hand-me-downs (clothes don’t fit him right). Some scenes include: them trying to outrace a summer thunderstorm while the top of Jensen’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible’s top is stuck in the down position, Jared watching while Jensen plays guitar and sings in a crowded, smokey honky-tonk, Jensen, bent over the hood of his car, while being cuffed by police as Jared runs away into a field).
Now I’ve got some clearer images to work with and a little more of a feel for the flavor of the story. Remember, these summaries are for artists, so don’t keep things too mysterious. Go ahead and just include notes if they can’t be easily incorporated into the actual summary. I know it can feel like you’re giving away some of the story (you are), but you’re much more likely to attract someone who is going to be on the same page creatively as you are if you give them a clearer “picture”. Just remember this is for the artist, not the reader.
Here is my SPN Kink Bingo for 2019! I’m super excited about my card. I will update the card as I get the squares filled.
Drunken Confessions: Square Filled: Druken Confessions - Misha x Reader
The reader has a rough week and Misha comes over to cheer her up. Does wine and pizza turn into something more?
Exposed: Square FIlled: Spanking - Castiel x Reader
Castiel and the reader go to a fetish night at a local club to investigate a case when something else needs to be handled.
What Happens in Vegas...: Square Filled: Fake Dating - Misha x Reader
Misha asks you to pretend to be his girlfriend for a big work party. You agree to play along for the sake of your best friend. After far too many drinks, who knows where you’ll end up...
We Three Queens: Square Filled: Exhibitionism - Dean x Reader X Castiel , Crowley x Reader
You’re a stripper working at a local club that hosts a drag show once a month. You’re close with each of the queens. You have a private dance with one of your regulars that goes further than you plan and the night ends up at Dean and Castiel’s apartment.
Dessert: Square Filled: Destiel - Destiel x Plus Size!Reader
You walked in on Dean and Castiel and now they want to treat you to a Valentine’s Day that you’ll remember forever.
Winter Heat: Square Filled: Cuddling - Alpha!Sam x Omega!Reader
You warned Sam about the dangers of Indiana in the winter, but he didn’t listen. Now the two of you are stranded in a motel for the night. Tensions are on the rise and so is everything else.
The Changing World Order & Indian Stainless Steel Manufacturers.
Shifting global trade dynamics, geopolitical realignments, and supply chain diversification are reshaping the stainless steel industry. For Indian stainless steel manufacturers, this changing world order presents both challenges—such as volatile raw material prices and trade barriers—and opportunities, including increased global demand, export growth, and India’s rising role as a reliable manufacturing hub.
Indian stainless steel manufacturers face shifting geopolitics, new trade blocs, and rising compliance demands shaping exports and sourcing.
For as long as I can remember! I’ve been writing short stories since I was a little kid (maybe like second grade or so) I also used to check books out from the library and finish them in one afternoon while my parents made dinner. I didn’t start writing longer fiction until I was thirteen, but I’ve loved fiction my whole life!
Day 1: User Names & Passwords Update and keep track of all of your user names and passwords. Make sure that they are deleted out of your cookies on your computer and that if there are any joint accounts you have them stored properly.
Day 2: Documents Locate and sort all important documents and identification. See my past post on how to do this properly and what to do with old paperwork.
