Melida

A young man wanted to find the secret of life so he traveled to Nepal, which is reputed to have the wisest men in the world. There he was instructed to climb a mountain and seek out the swami. After an arduous climb during which he almost fell to his death, he finally reached the summit of the mountain and approached a small shack. In the door stood an aged man wearing a purple robe. The young man stopped, exhausted. I've come a long way looking for the meaning of life, he said. Can you tell me what it is?

The swami invited the young man into his humble home, gave him some cheese and wine, and told him that after he finished eating he would reveal the secret of life. Famished and at the point of fainting, the young man gulped his food and wine. Then the swami talked to him for an hour, explaining the secret of life. Basically he told him that the secret of life is learning to change what you can and accepting what you cannot.

After explaining this simple philosophy, completely answering the young mans every question, the swami stood to bid his guest farewell.

Outside the shack, young man turned. Tell me one thing more, he said. Why is it that you are so easily able to answer such difficult questions?

The swami smiled. It is because this is my field. I have studied the meaning of life for many years. But if you asked me questions about engineering or ship-building, or any number of other topics, I would have nothing to say. I just happen to know the meaning of life because it is my business to know it. So its very easy for me to talk about it. As easy as it is for a farmer to talk about farming or a butcher to talk about meat.

WHY CHAPTER SUMMARIES ARE EASY TO WRITE

This story illustrates an important lesson which will help you write chapter summaries for your book. Remember the swamis answer to the young mans question about why the swami found it so easy to talk about the meaning of life? The idea of finding out the meaning of life was exciting to the young man because he knew nothing about it. But to the swami it was a piece of cake. He had focused his whole education and training on that one subject. Which is why it was easy for him to talk about it.

In writing the book proposal you have to think of yourself as the swami. You have the secret of your subject. No one knows your subject like you do. No one has the same approach to your subject. You are the expert. People will be at your feet lapping up the information, and theyll be thankful to get it, too. Thats the way to see yourself.

After all, you know more about your subject than a literary agent, an acquiring editor, or anyone in the publishing house. Be confident. Take pride in your knowledge. And confidently put your chapter summaries together, just as if you were writing for a young truth-seeker who was grateful for your wisdom.

Thats why writing your chapter summaries should be easy.

WHAT SHOULD CHAPTER SUMMARIES CONTAIN?

Heres a little trick that will help you write your book proposals chapter summaries -- also called a chapter-by-chapter outline or a chapter-by-chapter summary. After you type your books table of contents, copy and paste it into a separate page. Then flesh out each chapter in a few sentences. Thats all you need for your chapter summaries. Its really just an expanded table of contents for your proposed book.

Im nervous about writing my chapter summaries because I dont know what tone to take or how to write them to interest an editor.

This fear is one of the greatest roadblocks to writing chapter summaries. But you should just write in a descriptive manner, outlining each chapter in one paragraph. Dont worry about being stylish or flashy. Be down to earth and simple.

HOW LONG SHOULD CHAPTER SUMMARIES BE?

Keep each chapter summary to one paragraph. If necessary it can be a long paragraph, but shorter is better. Remember that not everyone is going to read your chapter summaries. The sales force may not bother. The marketing people may not have the time. Even your editor might get tired if your summaries drag on too long. A few sentences per chapter should do the job.

An example of a chapter summary for a hypothetical book entitled Marijuana Today might read as follows:

CHAPTER 4 - MARIJUANA LAWS. This chapter begins by looking at the historical laws on marijuana in the United States. Then the chapter discusses current federal and state laws. Finally the chapter examines how marijuana is treated by the legal systems of other countries, such as the U.K., Canada, and the Netherlands.

The beauty of this chapter summary is that it proceeds logically, from historical laws to current laws to international laws. Following a logical pattern in your chapter summaries shows youre organized. You can follow a chronological pattern, a step-by-step approach, a comparative method, etc. As long as youre orderly, your chapter summaries will do their job. Notice also that this summary is short and to the point.

Following these suggestions will ensure that your chapter summaries are succinct enough to catch reader interest, and that will go a long way toward helping sell your book.

William Cane is the author of The Art of Kissing, translated into 19 languages. He taught English at Boston College for fourteen years and today is a widely sought-after speaker at colleges and universities nationwide. His Web site contains more insider writing advice for those wishing to get published: http://www.hiwrite.com/ Copyright 2007 William Cane