For decades I thought of synergy -- when I thought of it connected to writing fiction novels -- as a contrived expedient. Flash that is trimming. Pomp and Circumstance only cheaper. Costume jewelry.
There are masters of the literature class -- and yet even more masters out in the arms of the genres. Still, these rare artisans fail to call attention to the lack of art in popular novels. This is not to say that there is a massive shift in our culture centered on the methods of our communication. No, it has been like this for a while. This is why there are 'literary' novels, and popular genre novels. Synergy.