Question - when you do have more than one protagonist in a book, does it work to have more than one, one-sentence analysis for an agent for example? Or having one clear cut protagonist whose goal is the central drive works better?

Randy sez: I think it would work better to have a single one-sentence Storyline. I suppose there are exceptions, but my instinct is to keep it simple. Try writing a Storyline for each protagonist and then choose the one with more zing.

I think you’re right about dropping the part about her fiancee. “Was he involved?” is a pretty big issue for her, but in the end the basic quest is “save the oracle”.

An exorcist protects a young oracle from kidnappers who would hold the prophecies ransom.

Looking at the sentances again, I think she’s the more proactive of the pair. Running around feeling guilty about something that happened years ago isn’t quite as compelling to me as going out and catching the bad guys. His issues seem better suited to a subplot.

I think I’ve picked my main character, at least.

I’ve got a question for you along the lines of deciding between Storylines. How do you pick one above another? Or do you reconcile them into one somehow?

Take for example, Return of the King. We’ve got Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli dealing with army after army, romance, and a returning king. We’ve also got Merry fighting the bad guys with a new friend. Then we have Gandalf and Pippin defending a city from an an army on the outside and corruption on the inside. Oh yeah, and Frodo and Sam are in the heart of evil, trying to save the world without losing their souls.

It seems pretty silly to say: “An interracial group of friends go their separate ways to save the world.” At the same time, picking one Storyline over another will only touch on a fraction of the story!

Randy sez: True enough. Lord of the Rings is a BIG story, and one sentence can only capture so much. So be it. Better to capture one thing well than many things badly.

Jake brings up a good question. I’ve left out reference to an entire sub-story because it isn’t necessary to the one sntence bottom line. However, because I can leave it out of the sentence doesn’t mean I must wipe it out of the story. Right?

Thanks for a great exercise.

Randy sez: Right. Your one-sentence Storyline will focus on only one of the plot threads in the story. Normally, a novel has several threads. They all work together, and they’re all important, but one is more important than the others. Write your Storyline about that one.

@Carrie: “An exorcist protects a young oracle from kidnappers who would hold the prophecies ransom.” Much improved! Just a personal opinion, though: “who would hold” seems like a somewhat weak phrase to me. Maybe add a little more forcefulness by changing the wording a bit, maybe: “An exorcist protects a young oracle from kidnappers who plan to hold her prophecies ransom.” (Assuming the oracle is a girl - substitute “his” if I’m wrong on that point, of course.) Or maybe you or someone else can think of an even better way. Just an idea! Best wishes.

A ‘David’ of a scientist takes on a ‘Goliath’ of a pharmeutical collective.

Justin Dade, a loving husband and doting father, has his life thrust into darkness with the revelation that his wife and daughter were murdered. With his life lingering on the abyss of insanity, Justin gathers the strength to do what must be done…avenge his family’s deaths.
Soliciting the help from unlikely accomplices, Justin travels the road toward revenge, treading carefully around the police investigation that is led by the savvy old veteran, Detective Harry Thorpe.
Time whisks by as Justin attempts to solve the case before the authorities, using resources long ago abandoned, in hopes of satisfying his urge within. As the police drag net closes in, Justin must stay one step ahead.