A few synopsis questions

Sunshine13 · Oct 8, 2008

Alright, I'm preparing for my big "write a first draft synopsis that's not a list" day, and I had a few questions.

While I know you only want to NAME the MC and 1 or 2 other integral characters of the story, what about places?

I'm currently making a list of my plot highlights, and in the major incident's that happen, it's because they're in a specific place and I wasn't sure if that'd be too much information (like too many character names)?

And I have a lot of plot highlights. It's going to be oh-so-much fun figuring out which ones can go once I do my short synopsis.

I guess that's it for now. I may use this thread again if I come up with anymore, or if anyone else has any questions of their own, feel free, they may just be questions I dind't realize I had

mrockwell · Oct 8, 2008

I think, in general, you want to limit the place names you put in your synopsis, especially in a fantasy story. The character names will be exotic enough, and you don't want to overload the agent reading your query -- too many odd names and the eyes just glaze over.

I think naming the location where most of the action takes place (usually a country) is sufficient. Then you can say "they travel through the forest to a city" -- it doesn't matter in the synopsis stage that it's the Forest of Grievous Tears and the City of the Overlord. Save that for the book itself.

-- Marcy

Danthia · Oct 9, 2008

Readers can only absorb so much information at once, so limiting names helps them remember what's important. What, why and how is typically more important than where.

Extra advice on writing a synopsis...don't forget the "why" in your story. Cause and effect is a good way to show the story progression and help weed out subplots that aren't novel-driving elements. Bob does X to get Y and Z happens, forcing him to do A.

Problem-goal-action-stakes-resolution. Wash, rinse repeat

It helps keeps thing on track.

Sunshine13 · Oct 9, 2008

Yes, I'm following that method, just with different words: incident-reaction-decision.

Thanks! Here I goooooo..... *goes to start her synopsis*

Sunshine13 · Oct 9, 2008

I know in SYW it's frowned upon to put up a very rough draft of your WIP, but what about synopses? Because I can tell you right now mine is crap and needs a lot of work but I'm literally stuck in a place where I fear I need to post it in it's shameless form and get feedback to get on the right track. Does that make sense? Are people going to get all upset because it isn't the best draft possible?

Sunshine13 · Oct 9, 2008

OK well I went ahead and posted it, I went through it and made it a bit better but it's still in need of major help lol. If anyone is able to, here is the link: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118189

A few synopsis questions

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

mrockwell

Just another genre hack

Danthia

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!