IWSG was created by Alex J Cavanaugh — because Alex understands we need a safe place to congregate, insecurity is part of our creative nature, and together we’re stronger. IWSG’s Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and the hashtag is #IWSG. This is a Blog Hop! Go forth and share each other’s pains, pluses, successes, and/or angst, IWSG Peeps! (don’t forget me, please and thanks) If this sounds like a good place to be, sign up here. The cheerleaders/co-hosts of the final month of 2021 are: yours truly, Natalie Aguirre http://www.literaryrambles.com/, Louise – Fundy Blue http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/, Jacqui Murray https://worddreams.wordpress.com, Diane Burton http://dianeburton.blogspot.com Every month, a question is announced that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. You can write on any subject related to your writing journey or adopt the option of answering the month’s question. Either way, you’re in safe territory, so spout off or pout.
Today’s question – In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?
Stresses, messes, and successes. Oh my! In general, while loglines and synopses distress most writers, early on I was advised to begin each novel with a logline, a constrainer for my creativity gone wild. Here’s a list of those I’ve composed to date:
- Stashes: “Baby Boomer retirees gallivant the United States in an RV, leaving their family farm in the hands of their hapless son and his conniving wife… What could go wrong?”
- Hashes & Bashes: “A charismatic outsider arrives on a family farm, seeking roots and claiming to be kin, yet hashes and bashes begin…”
- The Winner’s Circle: “One of three longtime friends wins a half-a-billion-dollar lottery… what do you think happens next?” People spontaneously began to speculate, smile, and reach for their phones to buy, just as they had with the Stashes sales pitch.
- The Jailbird’s Jackpot: “Ex-con Amy Breeden has a problem, but becoming an instant millionaire isn’t it. Will she stick to her intention to take down the dude who double-crossed her or decide ‘living well is the best revenge?’
- I AM… a Character:“An anthology of PJ Colando’s short stories, all in her stated genre of ‘loose with the truth’. Will you be able to detect and discern fact vs. fiction in each first-person tale?”
- Writing Out the Pandemic: “Stories help us cope by design. I wrote as catharsis during the protracted pandemic and you will likely relate to each tale of woe, worry, and hope.”
This year has fostered hills and dips and fails, though all in all, 2021 has been a bit dull. I have two books on the market (shown in bold above) and I hope you get out your cash or credit card to buy one or the other or both! One of my books is fiction and the other is fact… Find them and buy them on my author site, please and thanks https://www.pjcolando.com 
Those loglines are interesting. Looking up your author profile now. Thank you for co-hosting.
Thanks for visiting my author site, Sonia – and, if you see anything you’d like to buy… thanks for your purchase (insert heart emoji here)
Fab loglines, PJ!! For me, those are the hardest. I’d rather write a chapter! So much hanging on so few words . . . Thanks for co-hosting this month.
Wow – gaining a compliment is a great way to start the day! Thank you and carpe diem, Nancy!
Those are great loglines. I was definitely intrigued my most of them!
Thank you… I crafted them with the 25-30 word guideline to entice people like you, who might grace me with a purchase…
I haven’t tried writing the logline first, but it’s an excellent idea. I have heard advice about writing the back-cover blurb first, if only to have your cover ready to go when it’s time to promote and do pre-orders. Tried that this time, kinda/sorta, and found it less painful than waiting until the story was finished. Next time, I’ll try your logline tip. Happy writing in December!
It’s a great groove for me, like fitting vs. forcing one’s feet into the perfect shoe. Wouldn’t you rather be Cinderella than an ugly sister!
Ooooh beginning with loglines, what a great piece of advice. Thank you so much, I’ll be trying that out. Thanks so much for co-hosting this month too.
@debsdespatches from
Fiction Can Be Fun
Thanks – and it’s a great ‘container’ for those who are apt to let their imagination meander as they write… that’s me! One can always alter the logline if the story ‘sidestep’ is fruitful.
Works for me. Let me know if it works for you, Debs.
“Fiction Can Be Fun” = Wow! You are my kind of gal, Debs!
I’d love to claim the name, but it was my co-host & writing partner who came up with it. Obviously I think it’s fab too 🙂
Loglines frustrate me, like choosing a book title. And I don’t write one until I have a completed ms because I never know where the story will end up.
Merry Christmas and thanks for co-hosting!
Whatever works for you is the best – the writing process allows infinite possibilities. I feel that flexibility fosters more and better writing than rules.
Merry Christmas!
I love the loglines. What a great way to ground creative energy and reiterate your pitch per project. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for co-hosting!
Your joyful enthusiasm and pithy insight about loglines is spot on, Adriene!
Happy holidays, happy writing, and happy new year –
Hi,
I like loglines too. I usually write with my title in mind and a logline.
Thank you so much for co-hosting.
Wishing you all the best, and a Merry Christmas and safe crossover into 2022.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks, Patricia Anne, and Happy Hanukkah as well. May all that you hope for come to fruition in this holiday season.
Sincerely, Patricia Louise
You’ve nailed it. Wish I could say the same. Loglines have always been tough for me. Thanks for co-hosting, PJ.
Perhaps I’m more aware of the utility of loglines because of my husband’s career in sales. He knew the value of a good ‘elevator pitch’, which is what a logline is. Are you participating in #PitMad, Joylene?
I had trouble with a log line once because I couldn’t decide which one worked best. The solution: combine them! 🙂 Thanks for co-hosting!
Combo mumbo jumbo – I love it!
Thanks for checking in. See you in 2022!
I loved your blog post title today, PJ! Thanks for doing such a great job co-hosting today.
Thanks for your compliments, sweet lady! May all this best come your way during the holiday season and in 2022!
I struggle with loglines. Yours are really good. Thanks for co-hosting with me. Have a great holiday!
Thanks for the compliment, valued writer friend – see you next month when we both may/may not be less insecure (wink)
Happy holidays and happy new year!
Loglines at the start, great idea. It used to help me to rite ‘in which x does Y’ chapter headings, but I’ve stopped since I finished my Princelings series. I wonder why?
Thanks for co-hosting today 🙂
Yes, loglines are a good idea – thanks for the compliment and I’m glad I’ve helped you
Happy holidays and Happy new year!
Love all the taglines. Those are my favorite to write. I love condensing an entire book into one or two lines.
Kindred spirits, Jennifer! Happy holidays and happy year!
Those are some pretty darn good loglines! I salute you. Usually those are the toughest things for writers to come up with.
Thanks for co-hosting this month’s IWSG!
I ain’t gonna lie – it takes several passes to craft a cogent, clear, and communicative logline.
But it’s so worth it! You see I’m a ‘white page’ writer who needs the focus and containment that a logline provides. It’s like a girdle – ha! – a garment that I no longer wear… giggle!
Thanks for the compliments all around – see you in 2022.
Great loglines! I do find them easier to come up with before I write the story. Tasty little appetizers are harder to recall (or come up with) in the afterglow of a delicious meal 😉 Or, as you so aptly described “fitting” into a shoe you’ve outgrown. I hadn’t thought about how it could help keep the creativity train on track. Good point.
Thanks for co-hosting and happy holidays!
Thanks for the compliments, Diedre! Happy holidays and happy new year to you – see you in 2022!
It’s fun to see the loglines you’ve put together! Boiling a story down to one line can be so hard when done after the fact.
Thanks for the compliment, Warrior Muse!
Happy holidays and happy new year to you and yours…
I do something like you do when I start writing. Best wishes on your book sales.
It’s always good to establish good practices, so that writing is fresh, fun, and interesting all the way through to the end, isn’t it, Susan.
Happy holidays and happy new year! May your book sales flourish, too!
That’s interesting: writing the loglines first. I guess my books are not usually quite that fully formed in my head at the outset. I like the idea, though.
Samantha, I’m a wild-and-wooly pantster, too. Sometimes my imagination runs away for the spine of the story, so writing the logline first canalizes and corrals the messiness.
Plus, if the new plot swerves suit, I can always alter the logline – and I have.
Happy holidays and happy new year to you and yours!
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
Those are great loglines.
I’ve had a rocky year, but it’s good to hear that not too much shook up your world this year.
Congrats on your releases!
Thanks for the compliment – and sorry to hear that you endured a rocky year… may circumstances of 2022 be better for you, Toi.
Happiness in the holidays and happy new year! May peace and prosperity be yours.
Loglines are harder to write than 50,000 word novels! And do not even mention a synopsis. Really enjoyed skimming your blog. Bright, energetic, upbeat. Plus, and this is a big one, you are a Midwesterner. I am too! You are a super book salesman! You have learned to ask for the sale and that’s the way to do it! I’ll be checking in to Kindle. Thanks for co-hosting.
Thanks for the compliments, Midwestern writer buddy! I’m from Indiana, JQ – what about you?
I wish I had your skill with log lines! I really, really struggle with them. My query letter and synopsis were both easier.
A very, very belated happy IWSG day!
Thanks for the appreciation and the reply, Janet! Better late than never applies, especially during the doubly-packed holiday season… All smiles!