What makes a good synopsis?

Hint 1: Make sure you know the difference between "synopsis" and "list of events that happen in my novel." A synopsis includes characterization, motivation, and causality.

Hint 2: Start with an ultra-short synopsis (like a paragraph or two). That way you're focused on the core of your story. It's easier to decide what to *add* than to decide what to *cut*.

Hint 3: I would suggest taking a few hours to browse through Miss Snark's Crapometer (linky in the Resources sticky). She critiques 100+ synopses, and after the tenth repetition of a point it's easy to see what works and what doesn't (and, more importantly, *why*).

All IMO, use at your own risk.

Not all agents request a synopsis. If you're really having problems with this, why not start with agents who don't ask for it? That's what I did. I ended up never having to write one, not even when my agent submitted to editors - although I know a lot of people DO have to write one at that point. Still, I'm glad I didn't spend a ton of time working on it, since I never needed it.

persiphone_hellecat said:

Actually I do need it. I had a meeting with an editor from a major publisher and he is working with me to get what he calls an A list agent. And the synopsis is required. And it's driving me nuts!!

Click to expand...

Is this editor a friend of yours? Because if he passed the MS directly to the agent, you might avoid the dreaded synopsis. I've noticed that editors often don't want them, while agents most often do. Why? I think it's because the agent wants to avoid reading the MS. If an agent can reject your work based on one or two pages, that's a great savings of time. Lucky for me, I've my latest MS with two top agencies, neither of which requested a synopsis. Really lucky because I had a workshop read it, and they unanimously said it sucked.

There's a synopsis thread floating around here somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere. It was really excellent. I'll keep looking for it.

Kristen

Kristen,
If you find that synopsis, please post where. I'd like to see a professional one done. Thanks