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jpsorrow's idea: he realized that one of the things writers get asked fairly frequently is "Hey, how do you write a plot synopsis?" So today, several writers are publishing a synopsis sample -- to allow newer writers out there to get a sense of what sold a novel.
For those who don't know the selling process, a writer generally doesn't send out the whole novel to a publisher or agent first (though there are exceptions to that); rather, you send a 'proposal package' that consists of a cover letter, sample chapters, and a synopsis. In fact, sometimes (especially for agents) you must even take a step back and first send out a one page 'query letter' to even get to the proposal package step. The sample chapters in the proposal package generally give the editor an idea of the writing skills, characterization, 'voice,' and narrative flow; the synopsis 'sells' the book as a whole -- therefore, writing a decent synopsis is vital to marketing your novel.
BTW, in the interest of full disclosure, I loath writing synopses. I want to write the damn book, not an outline. Plus, the way I write, I don't have a CLUE what happens in the middle of the book, and only a vague idea of the ending. Writing a synopsis is as fun as a trip to the dentist to me. Writing a synopsis opens my creative veins and lets the energy flow away from me to be lost forever.
But... unless I want to have every book written before I try to sell it, it's also a necessary evil. So I grit my teeth and curse and moan and wail... and do one.
Here's one of mine: this is the actual proposal synopsis that sold the NESSANTICO CYCLE to DAW Books -- of which A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT is the first book.
Now, I should say here that this happened to be all that my agent Merrilee sent -- we didn't send any sample chapters at all. But that's only because I've written *ahem* a few books already (including a previous trilogy to Sheila) and so DAW knew my writing style. A new writer can' t get away with that -- if you haven't sold a novel yet, you're going to have to have the entire novel already written (in case they say "Hey, I want to see the whole thing!"), and you're going to have to include sample chapters. Once you've sold a novel or two, you'll be able to sell subsequent novels based on sample chapter and synopsis only.
Because I had nothing actually written, this synopsis is frankly a little longer than the general run, since I'm including some details that would have shown up in the chapters.
It's also a little more 'casual' than I'd be if I were trying to sell to an editor I didn't already know well. And the lack of detail for the second and third books, again, would probably have sunk me if this hadn't gone to an editor who had some confidence that I could deliver on the implicit promises.
Those who have read A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT will also have fun noting where the actual book diverges from and even contradicts the synopsis. Hey, these things happen!
Those caveats aside, here it is:
***********
PROPOSAL FOR “NESSANTICO”
by
“S.L. Farrell”
NESSANTICO... Its very name means “ancient nexus.”
THE SETTING: Imagine Renaissance Florence and Venice blended with Louis XIV's Paris and spiced with some of the trappings of ‘fin de siécle’ Vienna: a great city of a far-reaching empire; a city situated at the center of civilization; a city where art and music and writing flourish, where the world’s greatest minds and greatest talents come to make their reputations, while the trade of a hundred lesser nations passes through the ports and the streets.
That is Nessantico.
Consider a world where magic has for centuries been linked to a central, dominating religion and secret rituals, a world where magic is an integral part of the ‘technology’ of the world, but where now some people claim to be able to create magic without the rituals, without the religion -- people those in charge consider dangerous enemies. Magic here is created through a devout faith, and can only be performed by a special few whose minds are open to it. Here, magic lights the streets and powers the engines of economy; here, magic is the great weapon of war and forms the foundation of Nessantico’s greatness as well as the chains that bind its servant nations to it.
Envision a world shifting and changing, where ways of life centuries old are being questioned, where the cold wind of reason and logic threatens to alter everything. This is a world that sits atop on a precipice, all unrealized, with those caught in the beauty and aura of the city unable to see the cracks and division in their society that are about to send them plummeting down into chaos and into a world they won’t recognize…
This is no place or time in our world, though the technology and outlook will be most akin to the Italian Renaissance, as well as having social, political, and cultural affinities with Vienna at the turn of the century. Nessantico is about to plunge into a world-embracing conflagration that is, underneath, a clash of culture and outlook. Nations are emerging and chafing under the bonds of Nessantico, new ideas are rising that threaten the old order of things, and the world is becoming smaller under the press of technology. The paradigms of the past are being questioned and tested.
The chief religion of Nessantico -- CONCÉNZIA, after the chief deity of the pantheon, CÉNZI-- will be akin to what Gnostic Christianity might have become had it not been quashed -- though this is absolutely not Christianity and will contain elements of several religions, monotheistic as well as pagan. There is no Christ myth here, nor is such a concept part of the theology…. Rather, this is a religion veiled with mysticism and secrecy in a universe where the magic truly works, where those endowed with a special mental gift can create spells after long and arduous preparation. Yes, there are other types of magic out there, but they are also bound up in the greater mythology of the world, tied to lesser gods than Cénzi and thus their magic is less, also. There are rumors, however (as this world begins to expand and find other cultures that Nessantico has not yet assimilated, especially in the Utter West) that there are gods and magics that may be greater even than those of Cénzi.
This is also a religion that has used its power to insinuate itself into the political structure of the nation, as well as the wider world. Though those of the faith eschew political ambition in the oaths they take, in truth all political leaders must consider the reaction of the faith’s rulers before they act. And there are factions within factions inside the Concénzia faith as well…
#
THE CHARACTERS: ANA CU'SERANTA is a young woman: marked to become one of the TENÍ, the members of the Concénzia who can create the spells that power this world, but who finds herself dissatisfied and too curious. Bright and intense, she wants more than the shackles that are about to be placed on her.
Along the way, that she meets KARL CI'VLIOMANI, mysterious and dangerous, who hints at being a NUMETODO (“New Way”): one of those who no longer believe in her god, who believe that they can capture magic in unsanctified words and patterns. They find themselves drawn to each other despite the danger they represent to one another, despite their different viewpoints and beliefs…
These two are lovers and antagonists, drawn to each other but held apart by their beliefs. Flung together in a city that seems to be at the height of its influence and power and yet is about to be cast down. Moving in a world of light and gaiety and pleasure that masks a somber and compelling darkness underneath, a mannered and polite world where words often hint at other meanings.
There are other characters as well (and a note should be made: all the names and terms here are to some extent ‘placeholder’ names; they may (and some will) change to better reflect the society of Nessantico and the languages as the worldbuilding continues…). Even characteristics are subject to change, depending on the needs of the story. Some of the secondary characters, as currently perceived, are:
DHOSTI CA'MILLAC: a dwarf, once a traveling circus performer whose nascent magical ability was noticed by one of the Tení and brought into the fold of the church, and who now is the church’s highest official -- the ARCHIGOS -- in Nessantico.
MARGUERITE CA'LUDOVICI: the gruff and irascible Kraljica (Empress) of Nessantico, who has ruled here for eight long decades, and whose Heir Apparent (a’Kralj), JUSTI CA'LUDOVICI, has been (im)patiently waiting for her death so that he might finally ascend to her throne. There are many others in her family who want that throne as well -- and we’ll be meeting several of them... Much as with the Hapsburgs of Vienna, Marguerite’s relatives are intermarried with the rulers of the surrounding nations. Marguerite hasn’t out-fought, out-dueled, or even out-witted her potential adversaries, she has instead out-married them.
SERGEI CI'RUDKA: Outwardly likable, handsome, well-educated and highly intelligent, a polite and engaging conversationalist, his mind laden with the wisdom and literature of past centuries, a man with a dancer’s grace and an athlete’s easy skill at physical games, and someone who in private finds his pleasure in other people’s pain. Sergei is sadistic but well-beloved by Marguerite ca'Ludovici, and firmly in charge of Nessantico’s garrison. He obeys two masters: Marguerite as ruler of Nessantico, and Dhosti ca’Millac as the Archigos. It’s a difficult balancing act at times...
EDOUARD CE'RECROIX: A famous portrait artist caught between two worlds: the old order and the new one. His works are startling in their realism. In a world without a concept of photography, his works are photographic in detail, with characters painted so lifelike that they appear to move on the canvas. But does he paint them? Or does he use some other, more arcane and subversive technique? Is he one of the rebellious unbelievers, and is it instead a forbidden spell that he uses to capture his portraits? Edouard is arguably the Master of his generation, and there are rumors that he will be painting Marguerite ca'Ludovici, but there are those who suspect him of other, more devious, intentions. Sergei ci’Rudka is, especially, watching him very carefully...
MAHRI: Not one of the rich or ennobled, with a ca’, cu’, ci’, or even a humble ce’ appended before his last name. In fact, no one is certain what his family name might be. Mahri isn’t someone whose name is known at all -- except to those who live with him on the underside of this society. Mahri wears a beggar’s clothing, his face is so badly disfigured by some old accident that most can’t see past the scars. But he is always there, always present at significant events in Nessantico, always at the periphery, always watching. Ana notices him and he notices Ana, and Mahri seems to be wanting to communicate something to her. But for now their interactions have been quick and superficial. There are secrets within him, secrets that will have a bearing on Ana’s life.
Here’s some of how these lives will intertwine around each other...
#
THE PLOT: The main focus character will be Ana cu’Seranta, as stated above. This book is primarily her story and the bulk of the scenes will be seen through her eyes, though structurally I intend to do scenes from other viewpoints as well -- much as George RR Martin does in his “Song of Ice & Fire” series. The primary plot points:
We enter Nessantico as it is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marguerite ca’Ludovici’s rule. The city is undergoing a transformation (and has been for the last decade) from fortified city to open modernity. The ancient and crumbling protective city walls have been torn down, replaced by a wide ring boulevard that encircles the old city. There, the wealthy go promenading to see and be seen. There, we encounter Ana as she witnesses an altercation between a belligerent Numetodo and the Archigos Dhosti cu’Millac, whom she has come here to meet. The altercation is quickly ended as one of the city’s guards hustles away the Numetodo. The Archigos informs Ana that after much prayer and reflection and examination of her test results, he greatly desires her to enter into the Order of Tení -- she has the potential to be among the strongest Tení he personally has ever encountered. This step would, of course, alter her life entirely: Ana would leave behind her family obligations for the obligations of the church; she would become subject to the Archigos’s commands, not the Kraljica’s; she would have demands placed on her and her life would not always be her own. However, the rewards would also be great: the church cares for its Tení, who are the base upon which its power rests.
The Archigos doesn’t require an immediate answer, but soon. Ana also knows that her family is struggling to meet the obligations of its ‘cu’ status -- this is a very structured society, with relative status signified by the prefix of the family name. In descending order of rank, that is: ca’, cu’, ci’, ce’, and none. Ana’s family would be happy for her to become a Tení, if only because the church pays the family well for the privilege of taking a family member into that most powerful order. Not to mention that as a Tení, Ana would find herself an attractive spouse for anyone, even in the highest levels of society -- here, the ‘priests’ of the church may marry as they wish.
We follow Ana through society, through her daily life, through her doubts. We also see the world through other eyes: scenes with Karl and the Numetodos, as well as brief interludes with Sergei (as he interrogates the man just arrested), Edouard (beginning his portrait of Marguerite), and Mahri (to see the bottom strata of the world and hint of what he might be and what he’s watching).
A precipitating event will be an evening dance held in celebration of the Kraljica’s 50th. There Ana will encounter Karl ci’Vliomani for the first time. He’s come to Nessantico from another city well to the north -- and it’s from the north that the concept of Numetodoism has come, as well as the bulk of the empire’s unrest. Ana suspects that the man is a Numetodo, but she also finds him... interesting. Justi ca’Ludovici is there as well, and the Heir Apparent too is paying attention to Ana. Sergei is with him also, and it’s obvious that he is suspicious of Karl.
Through subsequent meetings, we witness an increasing romantic tension between Karl and Ana. Ana agrees to become a Tení and is taken into the Order, but as she becomes more influenced by Karl, she is plagued by doubts that diminish her effectiveness and her gift and will in time cause it to nearly vanish entirely. She goes with Karl to meet some of the Numetodo and sees them perform magic -- certainly not what a Tení could do, no, but magic isn’t supposed to be possible at all without great faith as well as the training given the Tení. The implications are doubly shocking -- both from a religious as well as political standpoint.
We’ll also witness the increasing political tension as well. Nessantico is a nation beset on its borders and within itself, a nation that contains too many diverse people and languages to remain together. Factions within and without it are sensing the fractures. There are whispers that Marguerite will not only be the greatest, but also the last of Kralji and Kraljicas of a united Nessantico.
The crisis is escalated mid-book as Marguerite is assassinated. Magic is involved in the murder -- and therefore suspicion immediately falls upon the Numetodo (though it is the painter Edouardo who has done the deed, actually...). Justi takes the throne as Kralji -- asking Ana to join him as his wife; he wants to bond together the political and religious elements. She refuses, angering the Archigos Dhosti, who also desires this. Ana is now nearly an outsider within the Tení. Marguerite’s passing has cracked the fragile alliances with Nessantico, and armies are marching toward the city from the north, and it’s terribly apparent that Justi is not his mother’s equal in any way. Even the threats of the Concénzia Church to withhold the power of the Tení from the aggressors has little effect: magic is powerful, yes, but even magical defenses can be overcome with enough soldiers and there are reputed to be Numedoto sorcerers within the invading forces.
Karl is arrested in a roundup of the Numetodo within the city conducted by Sergei. Ana is under great suspicion from everyone... and now Mahri, who has been lurking in the background throughout, makes himself fully known to Ana. We will find that he is a spy from beyond the borders of the Utter West, a practitioner of magic himself, as powerful as Ana and of a faith for whom Ana’s god is simply another deity among many. Mahri warns Ana not to trust Karl; telling her that his intentions are not what Ana believes them to be. Ana will not believe this, but accepts Mahri’s help to release Karl from Sergei’s clutches. Mahri takes Karl and disappears into the increasing turmoil of the city as the armies continue to tighten the noose around the capital. There is more unrest reported, with subject nations declaring independence and the political situation falling apart.
Sergei comes to Ana. He knows she’s responsible for Karl’s escape. He wants to recapture the Numetodo and wants Ana to help. She denies everything, but in this we realize that to some extent Sergei may be right in this: if Nessantico falls, if the empire and the church fall, all that is civilized and familiar in this world may fall with them. Certainly her family will be destroyed.
Justi orders the Archigos and the Tení to join his army and go out from the city to meet those besieging them. Ana goes with them despite the now-near complete failure of her faith and thus her power... and finds Karl on the other side. The battle is pitched and close, and it will turn on Karl, who will choose his country over his love and betray both Ana and Nessantico. In the end, Ana must find a way to regain her magic without faith -- and here Mahri helps her. (Thematically, Ana is following the same arc as Nessantico -- from hidebound old beliefs to a new and frightening openess.) She defeats Karl, and -- defying both sides -- brokers a solution: Justi will surrender to the surrounding army and step down as Kralji; in return, the city will be spared the destruction of a final battle in its streets, and Justi and those families who wish to follow him will be allowed to leave the city.
From the ring boulevard where the novel started, Mahri and Ana will watch them depart a broken, changed city and world.
#
FURTHER BOOKS: I’m not overly fond of fantasy series where little is resolved at the end of a volume. My intention for future books in the series would be to continue to explore this universe. To me, Nessantico itself is a character in these books, and it is the city’s character arc that will stretch throughout the three books: Nessantico Zenith & Fall; Nessantico at Nadir; Nessantico Reborn. We will see that arc, however, through the eyes of new protagonists whose stories will largely play out within a single volume, though the characters of previous books will play supporting roles. The significant character arcs of Ana and Karl are shown in their entirety in Book 1, though -- as in life -- they will continue to have influence. Those readers who want more of the ‘original’ characters will still find them, though their roles will be lesser (and they will probably be much older, at least as I see the books now.)
I look to deliberately introduce a character(s) in NESSANTICO who will become the main focus for Book 2, while Ana appears only in occasional interaction with the new protagonist(s). Again, the character arc for the character(s) in Book 2 will play out within the scope of that volume, which will focus on the Great Conflagration itself, as the city and the nations explode into true war and the conflicts come out into brutal and unrelenting life. Who the character(s) will be, I don’t yet know myself -- but I’m perfectly confident they will step forward and introduce themselves to me as I’m writing the first book. For all I know at this point, they may be one of the secondary characters listed above (perhaps Mahri?).
Somewhere in Book 2, I will again introduce a new character(s) who will be the focus for Book 3. Book 3 will resolve the greater outside conflict and show us the beginnings of an altered world, and an altered city -- which will end the “character arc” of the city itself.
I fully expect, also, that there are far more tales to tell within the Nessantico universe, should we decide to do so…
**********
Now, if you're interested in reading other synopses, here's the list of people who are in on this one-day project. Enjoy!
Plot Synopsis Project participant links:
Patricia Bray (pbray): http://www.sff.net/people/patriciabray/synopsis.html
Chaz Brenchley (desperance): http://desperance.livejournal.com
Mike Brotherton: http://www.mikebrotherton.com
Tobias Buckell: http://www.tobiasbuckell.com/2008/02/01/ask-me-a-question-was-crystal-rain-sold-as-part-of-a-series/
S.C. Butler (scbutler): http://scbutler.livejournal.com
Barbara Campbell: www.barbara-campbell.com/inside.htm
David B. Coe (davidbcoe): http://davidbcoe.livejournal.com
Jennifer Dunne (jennifer_dunne): http://jennifer_dunne.livejournal.com
Diana Francis (difrancis): http://difrancis.livejournal.com
Gregory Frostfrostokovich): http://frostokovich.livejournal.com
Felix Gilman: http://www.felixgilman.com/wordpress/
Jim C. Hines (jimhines): http://jimhines.livejournal.com
Jackie Kessler (jackiekessler): http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog
Mindy Klasky (mindyklasky): http://mindyklasky.livejournal.com
Misty Massey (madkestrel): http://madkestrel.livejournal.com
C.E. Murphy (mizkit): http://mizkit.livejournal.com
Naomi Novik(naominovik): http://naominovik.livejournal.com
Joshua Palmatier (jpsorrow): http://jpsorrow.livejournal.com
Maria V. Snyder: http://blog.myspace.com/mariavsnyder
Jennifer Stevenson (smokingpigeon): http://smokingpigeon.livejournal.com
Michelle West (msagara): http://msagara.livejournal.com
Sean Williams (ladnews): http://ladnews.livejournal.com
There’s also a book available that has other samples of plot synopses in it. It’s called I Have This Nifty Idea: Now What Do I Do With It? [Amazon
; Mysterious Galaxy], edited by Mike Resnick. Check it out for more samples!
jpsorrow's idea: he realized that one of the things writers get asked fairly frequently is "Hey, how do you write a plot synopsis?" So today, several writers are publishing a synopsis sample -- to allow newer writers out there to get a sense of what sold a novel. For those who don't know the selling process, a writer generally doesn't send out the whole novel to a publisher or agent first (though there are exceptions to that); rather, you send a 'proposal package' that consists of a cover letter, sample chapters, and a synopsis. In fact, sometimes (especially for agents) you must even take a step back and first send out a one page 'query letter' to even get to the proposal package step. The sample chapters in the proposal package generally give the editor an idea of the writing skills, characterization, 'voice,' and narrative flow; the synopsis 'sells' the book as a whole -- therefore, writing a decent synopsis is vital to marketing your novel.
BTW, in the interest of full disclosure, I loath writing synopses. I want to write the damn book, not an outline. Plus, the way I write, I don't have a CLUE what happens in the middle of the book, and only a vague idea of the ending. Writing a synopsis is as fun as a trip to the dentist to me. Writing a synopsis opens my creative veins and lets the energy flow away from me to be lost forever.
But... unless I want to have every book written before I try to sell it, it's also a necessary evil. So I grit my teeth and curse and moan and wail... and do one.
Here's one of mine: this is the actual proposal synopsis that sold the NESSANTICO CYCLE to DAW Books -- of which A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT is the first book.
Now, I should say here that this happened to be all that my agent Merrilee sent -- we didn't send any sample chapters at all. But that's only because I've written *ahem* a few books already (including a previous trilogy to Sheila) and so DAW knew my writing style. A new writer can' t get away with that -- if you haven't sold a novel yet, you're going to have to have the entire novel already written (in case they say "Hey, I want to see the whole thing!"), and you're going to have to include sample chapters. Once you've sold a novel or two, you'll be able to sell subsequent novels based on sample chapter and synopsis only.
Because I had nothing actually written, this synopsis is frankly a little longer than the general run, since I'm including some details that would have shown up in the chapters.
It's also a little more 'casual' than I'd be if I were trying to sell to an editor I didn't already know well. And the lack of detail for the second and third books, again, would probably have sunk me if this hadn't gone to an editor who had some confidence that I could deliver on the implicit promises.
Those who have read A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT will also have fun noting where the actual book diverges from and even contradicts the synopsis. Hey, these things happen!
Those caveats aside, here it is:
***********
PROPOSAL FOR “NESSANTICO”
by
“S.L. Farrell”
NESSANTICO... Its very name means “ancient nexus.”
THE SETTING: Imagine Renaissance Florence and Venice blended with Louis XIV's Paris and spiced with some of the trappings of ‘fin de siécle’ Vienna: a great city of a far-reaching empire; a city situated at the center of civilization; a city where art and music and writing flourish, where the world’s greatest minds and greatest talents come to make their reputations, while the trade of a hundred lesser nations passes through the ports and the streets.
That is Nessantico.
Consider a world where magic has for centuries been linked to a central, dominating religion and secret rituals, a world where magic is an integral part of the ‘technology’ of the world, but where now some people claim to be able to create magic without the rituals, without the religion -- people those in charge consider dangerous enemies. Magic here is created through a devout faith, and can only be performed by a special few whose minds are open to it. Here, magic lights the streets and powers the engines of economy; here, magic is the great weapon of war and forms the foundation of Nessantico’s greatness as well as the chains that bind its servant nations to it.
Envision a world shifting and changing, where ways of life centuries old are being questioned, where the cold wind of reason and logic threatens to alter everything. This is a world that sits atop on a precipice, all unrealized, with those caught in the beauty and aura of the city unable to see the cracks and division in their society that are about to send them plummeting down into chaos and into a world they won’t recognize…
This is no place or time in our world, though the technology and outlook will be most akin to the Italian Renaissance, as well as having social, political, and cultural affinities with Vienna at the turn of the century. Nessantico is about to plunge into a world-embracing conflagration that is, underneath, a clash of culture and outlook. Nations are emerging and chafing under the bonds of Nessantico, new ideas are rising that threaten the old order of things, and the world is becoming smaller under the press of technology. The paradigms of the past are being questioned and tested.
The chief religion of Nessantico -- CONCÉNZIA, after the chief deity of the pantheon, CÉNZI-- will be akin to what Gnostic Christianity might have become had it not been quashed -- though this is absolutely not Christianity and will contain elements of several religions, monotheistic as well as pagan. There is no Christ myth here, nor is such a concept part of the theology…. Rather, this is a religion veiled with mysticism and secrecy in a universe where the magic truly works, where those endowed with a special mental gift can create spells after long and arduous preparation. Yes, there are other types of magic out there, but they are also bound up in the greater mythology of the world, tied to lesser gods than Cénzi and thus their magic is less, also. There are rumors, however (as this world begins to expand and find other cultures that Nessantico has not yet assimilated, especially in the Utter West) that there are gods and magics that may be greater even than those of Cénzi.
This is also a religion that has used its power to insinuate itself into the political structure of the nation, as well as the wider world. Though those of the faith eschew political ambition in the oaths they take, in truth all political leaders must consider the reaction of the faith’s rulers before they act. And there are factions within factions inside the Concénzia faith as well…
#
THE CHARACTERS: ANA CU'SERANTA is a young woman: marked to become one of the TENÍ, the members of the Concénzia who can create the spells that power this world, but who finds herself dissatisfied and too curious. Bright and intense, she wants more than the shackles that are about to be placed on her.
Along the way, that she meets KARL CI'VLIOMANI, mysterious and dangerous, who hints at being a NUMETODO (“New Way”): one of those who no longer believe in her god, who believe that they can capture magic in unsanctified words and patterns. They find themselves drawn to each other despite the danger they represent to one another, despite their different viewpoints and beliefs…
These two are lovers and antagonists, drawn to each other but held apart by their beliefs. Flung together in a city that seems to be at the height of its influence and power and yet is about to be cast down. Moving in a world of light and gaiety and pleasure that masks a somber and compelling darkness underneath, a mannered and polite world where words often hint at other meanings.
There are other characters as well (and a note should be made: all the names and terms here are to some extent ‘placeholder’ names; they may (and some will) change to better reflect the society of Nessantico and the languages as the worldbuilding continues…). Even characteristics are subject to change, depending on the needs of the story. Some of the secondary characters, as currently perceived, are:
DHOSTI CA'MILLAC: a dwarf, once a traveling circus performer whose nascent magical ability was noticed by one of the Tení and brought into the fold of the church, and who now is the church’s highest official -- the ARCHIGOS -- in Nessantico.
MARGUERITE CA'LUDOVICI: the gruff and irascible Kraljica (Empress) of Nessantico, who has ruled here for eight long decades, and whose Heir Apparent (a’Kralj), JUSTI CA'LUDOVICI, has been (im)patiently waiting for her death so that he might finally ascend to her throne. There are many others in her family who want that throne as well -- and we’ll be meeting several of them... Much as with the Hapsburgs of Vienna, Marguerite’s relatives are intermarried with the rulers of the surrounding nations. Marguerite hasn’t out-fought, out-dueled, or even out-witted her potential adversaries, she has instead out-married them.
SERGEI CI'RUDKA: Outwardly likable, handsome, well-educated and highly intelligent, a polite and engaging conversationalist, his mind laden with the wisdom and literature of past centuries, a man with a dancer’s grace and an athlete’s easy skill at physical games, and someone who in private finds his pleasure in other people’s pain. Sergei is sadistic but well-beloved by Marguerite ca'Ludovici, and firmly in charge of Nessantico’s garrison. He obeys two masters: Marguerite as ruler of Nessantico, and Dhosti ca’Millac as the Archigos. It’s a difficult balancing act at times...
EDOUARD CE'RECROIX: A famous portrait artist caught between two worlds: the old order and the new one. His works are startling in their realism. In a world without a concept of photography, his works are photographic in detail, with characters painted so lifelike that they appear to move on the canvas. But does he paint them? Or does he use some other, more arcane and subversive technique? Is he one of the rebellious unbelievers, and is it instead a forbidden spell that he uses to capture his portraits? Edouard is arguably the Master of his generation, and there are rumors that he will be painting Marguerite ca'Ludovici, but there are those who suspect him of other, more devious, intentions. Sergei ci’Rudka is, especially, watching him very carefully...
MAHRI: Not one of the rich or ennobled, with a ca’, cu’, ci’, or even a humble ce’ appended before his last name. In fact, no one is certain what his family name might be. Mahri isn’t someone whose name is known at all -- except to those who live with him on the underside of this society. Mahri wears a beggar’s clothing, his face is so badly disfigured by some old accident that most can’t see past the scars. But he is always there, always present at significant events in Nessantico, always at the periphery, always watching. Ana notices him and he notices Ana, and Mahri seems to be wanting to communicate something to her. But for now their interactions have been quick and superficial. There are secrets within him, secrets that will have a bearing on Ana’s life.
Here’s some of how these lives will intertwine around each other...
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THE PLOT: The main focus character will be Ana cu’Seranta, as stated above. This book is primarily her story and the bulk of the scenes will be seen through her eyes, though structurally I intend to do scenes from other viewpoints as well -- much as George RR Martin does in his “Song of Ice & Fire” series. The primary plot points:
We enter Nessantico as it is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marguerite ca’Ludovici’s rule. The city is undergoing a transformation (and has been for the last decade) from fortified city to open modernity. The ancient and crumbling protective city walls have been torn down, replaced by a wide ring boulevard that encircles the old city. There, the wealthy go promenading to see and be seen. There, we encounter Ana as she witnesses an altercation between a belligerent Numetodo and the Archigos Dhosti cu’Millac, whom she has come here to meet. The altercation is quickly ended as one of the city’s guards hustles away the Numetodo. The Archigos informs Ana that after much prayer and reflection and examination of her test results, he greatly desires her to enter into the Order of Tení -- she has the potential to be among the strongest Tení he personally has ever encountered. This step would, of course, alter her life entirely: Ana would leave behind her family obligations for the obligations of the church; she would become subject to the Archigos’s commands, not the Kraljica’s; she would have demands placed on her and her life would not always be her own. However, the rewards would also be great: the church cares for its Tení, who are the base upon which its power rests.
The Archigos doesn’t require an immediate answer, but soon. Ana also knows that her family is struggling to meet the obligations of its ‘cu’ status -- this is a very structured society, with relative status signified by the prefix of the family name. In descending order of rank, that is: ca’, cu’, ci’, ce’, and none. Ana’s family would be happy for her to become a Tení, if only because the church pays the family well for the privilege of taking a family member into that most powerful order. Not to mention that as a Tení, Ana would find herself an attractive spouse for anyone, even in the highest levels of society -- here, the ‘priests’ of the church may marry as they wish.
We follow Ana through society, through her daily life, through her doubts. We also see the world through other eyes: scenes with Karl and the Numetodos, as well as brief interludes with Sergei (as he interrogates the man just arrested), Edouard (beginning his portrait of Marguerite), and Mahri (to see the bottom strata of the world and hint of what he might be and what he’s watching).
A precipitating event will be an evening dance held in celebration of the Kraljica’s 50th. There Ana will encounter Karl ci’Vliomani for the first time. He’s come to Nessantico from another city well to the north -- and it’s from the north that the concept of Numetodoism has come, as well as the bulk of the empire’s unrest. Ana suspects that the man is a Numetodo, but she also finds him... interesting. Justi ca’Ludovici is there as well, and the Heir Apparent too is paying attention to Ana. Sergei is with him also, and it’s obvious that he is suspicious of Karl.
Through subsequent meetings, we witness an increasing romantic tension between Karl and Ana. Ana agrees to become a Tení and is taken into the Order, but as she becomes more influenced by Karl, she is plagued by doubts that diminish her effectiveness and her gift and will in time cause it to nearly vanish entirely. She goes with Karl to meet some of the Numetodo and sees them perform magic -- certainly not what a Tení could do, no, but magic isn’t supposed to be possible at all without great faith as well as the training given the Tení. The implications are doubly shocking -- both from a religious as well as political standpoint.
We’ll also witness the increasing political tension as well. Nessantico is a nation beset on its borders and within itself, a nation that contains too many diverse people and languages to remain together. Factions within and without it are sensing the fractures. There are whispers that Marguerite will not only be the greatest, but also the last of Kralji and Kraljicas of a united Nessantico.
The crisis is escalated mid-book as Marguerite is assassinated. Magic is involved in the murder -- and therefore suspicion immediately falls upon the Numetodo (though it is the painter Edouardo who has done the deed, actually...). Justi takes the throne as Kralji -- asking Ana to join him as his wife; he wants to bond together the political and religious elements. She refuses, angering the Archigos Dhosti, who also desires this. Ana is now nearly an outsider within the Tení. Marguerite’s passing has cracked the fragile alliances with Nessantico, and armies are marching toward the city from the north, and it’s terribly apparent that Justi is not his mother’s equal in any way. Even the threats of the Concénzia Church to withhold the power of the Tení from the aggressors has little effect: magic is powerful, yes, but even magical defenses can be overcome with enough soldiers and there are reputed to be Numedoto sorcerers within the invading forces.
Karl is arrested in a roundup of the Numetodo within the city conducted by Sergei. Ana is under great suspicion from everyone... and now Mahri, who has been lurking in the background throughout, makes himself fully known to Ana. We will find that he is a spy from beyond the borders of the Utter West, a practitioner of magic himself, as powerful as Ana and of a faith for whom Ana’s god is simply another deity among many. Mahri warns Ana not to trust Karl; telling her that his intentions are not what Ana believes them to be. Ana will not believe this, but accepts Mahri’s help to release Karl from Sergei’s clutches. Mahri takes Karl and disappears into the increasing turmoil of the city as the armies continue to tighten the noose around the capital. There is more unrest reported, with subject nations declaring independence and the political situation falling apart.
Sergei comes to Ana. He knows she’s responsible for Karl’s escape. He wants to recapture the Numetodo and wants Ana to help. She denies everything, but in this we realize that to some extent Sergei may be right in this: if Nessantico falls, if the empire and the church fall, all that is civilized and familiar in this world may fall with them. Certainly her family will be destroyed.
Justi orders the Archigos and the Tení to join his army and go out from the city to meet those besieging them. Ana goes with them despite the now-near complete failure of her faith and thus her power... and finds Karl on the other side. The battle is pitched and close, and it will turn on Karl, who will choose his country over his love and betray both Ana and Nessantico. In the end, Ana must find a way to regain her magic without faith -- and here Mahri helps her. (Thematically, Ana is following the same arc as Nessantico -- from hidebound old beliefs to a new and frightening openess.) She defeats Karl, and -- defying both sides -- brokers a solution: Justi will surrender to the surrounding army and step down as Kralji; in return, the city will be spared the destruction of a final battle in its streets, and Justi and those families who wish to follow him will be allowed to leave the city.
From the ring boulevard where the novel started, Mahri and Ana will watch them depart a broken, changed city and world.
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FURTHER BOOKS: I’m not overly fond of fantasy series where little is resolved at the end of a volume. My intention for future books in the series would be to continue to explore this universe. To me, Nessantico itself is a character in these books, and it is the city’s character arc that will stretch throughout the three books: Nessantico Zenith & Fall; Nessantico at Nadir; Nessantico Reborn. We will see that arc, however, through the eyes of new protagonists whose stories will largely play out within a single volume, though the characters of previous books will play supporting roles. The significant character arcs of Ana and Karl are shown in their entirety in Book 1, though -- as in life -- they will continue to have influence. Those readers who want more of the ‘original’ characters will still find them, though their roles will be lesser (and they will probably be much older, at least as I see the books now.)
I look to deliberately introduce a character(s) in NESSANTICO who will become the main focus for Book 2, while Ana appears only in occasional interaction with the new protagonist(s). Again, the character arc for the character(s) in Book 2 will play out within the scope of that volume, which will focus on the Great Conflagration itself, as the city and the nations explode into true war and the conflicts come out into brutal and unrelenting life. Who the character(s) will be, I don’t yet know myself -- but I’m perfectly confident they will step forward and introduce themselves to me as I’m writing the first book. For all I know at this point, they may be one of the secondary characters listed above (perhaps Mahri?).
Somewhere in Book 2, I will again introduce a new character(s) who will be the focus for Book 3. Book 3 will resolve the greater outside conflict and show us the beginnings of an altered world, and an altered city -- which will end the “character arc” of the city itself.
I fully expect, also, that there are far more tales to tell within the Nessantico universe, should we decide to do so…
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Now, if you're interested in reading other synopses, here's the list of people who are in on this one-day project. Enjoy!
Plot Synopsis Project participant links:
Patricia Bray (
pbray): http://www.sff.net/people/patriciabray/synopsis.htmlChaz Brenchley (
desperance): http://desperance.livejournal.comMike Brotherton: http://www.mikebrotherton.com
Tobias Buckell: http://www.tobiasbuckell.com/2008/02/01/ask-me-a-question-was-crystal-rain-sold-as-part-of-a-series/
S.C. Butler (
scbutler): http://scbutler.livejournal.comBarbara Campbell: www.barbara-campbell.com/inside.htm
David B. Coe (
davidbcoe): http://davidbcoe.livejournal.comJennifer Dunne (
jennifer_dunne): http://jennifer_dunne.livejournal.comDiana Francis (
difrancis): http://difrancis.livejournal.comGregory Frost
frostokovich): http://frostokovich.livejournal.comFelix Gilman: http://www.felixgilman.com/wordpress/
Jim C. Hines (
jimhines): http://jimhines.livejournal.comJackie Kessler (
jackiekessler): http://www.jackiekessler.com/blogMindy Klasky (
mindyklasky): http://mindyklasky.livejournal.comMisty Massey (
madkestrel): http://madkestrel.livejournal.comC.E. Murphy (
mizkit): http://mizkit.livejournal.comNaomi Novik(
naominovik): http://naominovik.livejournal.comJoshua Palmatier (
jpsorrow): http://jpsorrow.livejournal.comMaria V. Snyder: http://blog.myspace.com/mariavsnyder
Jennifer Stevenson (
smokingpigeon): http://smokingpigeon.livejournal.comMichelle West (
msagara): http://msagara.livejournal.comSean Williams (
ladnews): http://ladnews.livejournal.comThere’s also a book available that has other samples of plot synopses in it. It’s called I Have This Nifty Idea: Now What Do I Do With It? [Amazon
; Mysterious Galaxy], edited by Mike Resnick. Check it out for more samples!![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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I said in my comment to Jim Hines's post that my starting out with vague ideas and some characters, and writing scenes out of order lends itself ill to selling on a synopsis, should I ever reach that stage. But I think I could do a synopsis that's more about the historical background and the characters, with only some basic plot points.
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But the real breakthrough came when I wrote a scene taking place in Rome before Arminius leaves for Germania, and he and Germanicus turned out to be friends. Now, that will make for the most beautiful conflicts in the battles to come. So they took center stage and the original MCs became important secondary characters.
Next thing was the book started to tie in with another partially written one taking place at a later time in Britain, and ere I could say I Don't Write Trilogies, I had a family feud on my hands and the idea for a third book.
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Благодарю за статью