Umm...The Zombie Ate My Synopsis

Are you prepared for the zombie apocalypse? I'm not. Shoot, I'm not even prepared to make dinner tonight. I've got more important things on my mind, like should I stick to my synopsis or deviate in a whole new direction even though I'm 2/3 of the way finished?! Don't smirk. This is a serious crisis. 


What do you do when you suspect your storyline might be one of the living dead?


First off, don't panic. I never do. Oh, I did on the first 3 or 4 manuscripts, but now I see a pattern. I get bored with my own story. Yeah, I said that out loud. And newsflash: If the author's bored, the reader will be bored. It's a valid reason to stray from your original outline, but there are a few other reasons you might want to consider when deciding if you should revamp or ditch your plan altogether.


You might want to change your synopsis if:


1. You thought of a better idea for an ending.


2. A new character shows up and takes center stage.


3. You realized an angle to turn the story into a series.


4. You came across information that makes your original idea not only implausible but outright impossible. 


Remember, a synopsis written before a story is finished is really more of a guideline than a legal contract. It's okay to change things up, unless you've already got a contract on the piece. Then you'll have to clear it with an editor first.