How NOT to write a synopsis
Writing a synopsis is variously described as ‘synopsis hell’ and ‘the most difficult 500 words you’ll ever write’ – in my case, the most difficult 800.
Is a synopsis going to land you an literary agent?
What is a synopsis?
Here are some other essential ingredients:
Hit the highlights – the bones of the story – beginning, middle and end.
Make sure the plot has a true arc – are the conflicts of the main characters clear, and the resolutions to those conflicts?
Mention the genre of your book – commercial, YA, book group fiction etc.
Include setting – what country, what year?
Highlight the main characters. Put their names in capital letters or embolden them when you first introduce them.
Include the unique selling point of your book.
Make the synopsis 500 to 800 words, and when you get an agent who wants a synopsis of 300 words instead, put your head into your hands and blub loudly. Then dab yourself down. You can do this! Chop, chop – take out another subplot or two and get rid of superfluous spiel.
Spoilers – Do include the final plot twist.
What shouldn’t you include?
A detailed account of the characters’ personalities. A quick character sketch is enough. Disillusioned science teacher Walter White. The unmarried Frances with an interesting past etc.
A blow-by-blow account of every single subplot. Be lean; you don’t have the space for this.
Finally, let other people read your synopsis because if Great Aunt Iris can’t make sense of it, you can bet your life a literary agent will chuck it into the bin faster than you can say Trash.
I’ve just written a new synopsis for my first novel, so thought I’d share my pain, ahem, I mean pointers.
Is a synopsis going to land you an literary agent?
Most submissions require a covering letter, the first three chapters of your book and a synopsis. An agent will read your covering letter, take a look at the first few pages of your novel and if they like what they see, they’ll want to know where the story is going; does it have enough meat on it; will it sell? Move over chapters; make way for the synopsis.
What is a synopsis?
It’s not the blurb on the back of the book; it’s the nuts and bolts of your story. What happens; what’s at stake and how does the jeopardy rise? Is the ending a satisfying one?
Here are some other essential ingredients:
Hit the highlights – the bones of the story – beginning, middle and end.
Make sure the plot has a true arc – are the conflicts of the main characters clear, and the resolutions to those conflicts?
Mention the genre of your book – commercial, YA, book group fiction etc.
Include setting – what country, what year?
Highlight the main characters. Put their names in capital letters or embolden them when you first introduce them.
Include the unique selling point of your book.
Make the synopsis 500 to 800 words, and when you get an agent who wants a synopsis of 300 words instead, put your head into your hands and blub loudly. Then dab yourself down. You can do this! Chop, chop – take out another subplot or two and get rid of superfluous spiel.
Spoilers – Do include the final plot twist.
What shouldn’t you include?
A detailed account of the characters’ personalities. A quick character sketch is enough. Disillusioned science teacher Walter White. The unmarried Frances with an interesting past etc.
A blow-by-blow account of every single subplot. Be lean; you don’t have the space for this.
Finally, let other people read your synopsis because if Great Aunt Iris can’t make sense of it, you can bet your life a literary agent will chuck it into the bin faster than you can say Trash.
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