I dread the synopsis....

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

Just a question out there for some of you who have been through this..How on earth do you sum up 100,000 words into a page and make it interesting enough to captivate someones attention?

Ok in saying that, what I mean is, the story itself is exciting, but how do you convey that message in as short a manner as possible and still draw attention?

I have done a short synopsis on my first novel and it must be ok because I am getting some requests to see more of the manuscript..BUT..I am working on trying to put together a synopsis for my second novel and I am having HORRIBLE flashbacks and stress to the last time I had to do this.

Is there some kind of formula or exercise to learn to do this with a little less stress and a little more finesse? (argh pbad poetry unintended)

Jenny · Oct 2, 2006

There's lots of advice out there on the net, but the only one that works for me is to keep writing and revising the synopsis till I can't stand to look at it any more - then I inflict it on editors!

Since you're getting requests based on your first synopsis, I'd say you've got a better strategy than I have for writing them - so all I can usefully add is - Good luck!

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

Jenny said:
There's lots of advice out there on the net, but the only one that works for me is to keep writing and revising the synopsis till I can't stand to look at it any more - then I inflict it on editors!

Since you're getting requests based on your first synopsis, I'd say you've got a better strategy than I have for writing them - so all I can usefully add is - Good luck!

So basically all the hair ripping and nausea won't go away??? Someone PLEASE tell me why I can write Novels, but I have anxiety attacks over Synopsis...

Yes there is a lot of good info out there on the net, but as I have learned the hard way, there's a lot of bad stuff too. One of the issues I run into quite frequently is that when someone asks for a Synopsis...well..it differs from agent to agent...It seems that many ask for a SUMMARY versus a Synopsis..wth is the difference? And some ask for a 5 page Synopsis..wth? Wouldnt that be a summary as opposed to a synopsis?

One author once told me that you could sum up a Synopsis like this.."What you see on the back cover of a paperback is what a synopsis should look like", so that is the formula I followed for my first book and in my query letters it seems to work well...obviously something is broken though because I get in the door and they ask me to send my manuscript..or parts of it and then after reviewing it usually say something like "the project isn't right for me," wth does that mean LOL. I don't care if it sucks a ducks butt, I just want someone to tell me it does so I can stop submitting it..this obligation to my addiction is HORRIBLE.

So in short (after my big long RANT) can someone sum up synopsis/summary? Also, as I said before there has to be some way to make this easier on myself...I mean seriously, I about have meltdowns over writing these things!

Linda Adams · Oct 2, 2006

Is there some kind of formula or exercise to learn to do this with a little less stress and a little more finesse? (argh pbad poetry unintended)

Well, first, I'll tell you what a synopsis isn't. When I first tried writing one, I thought it would be easy. I thought it was just describing all the events that occur in the story--like the Star Trek Concordance (if you haven't seen that, it provided a summary of the events that occurred in each episode).

But a synopsis is not a sequence of events. Rather, it starts with what the story is about and your main character. It follows the thread of that main story from beginning to end. It should show what the story is about, not explain it (show vs. tell applies here, too).

Start by defining the story with one or two sentences. This is a LOT harder than it sounds. A lot of people hit the synopsis and the query and have no clue what their story is really about. Sometimes this is because it's not in the story (having done that myself). You'll use the one or two sentences to anchor the synopsis.

Your synopsis should focus on one primary character and have no more than four characters. If you have one primary character, it gives you a character to anchor the synopsis around. In our early version (several book rewrites ago), we had seven characters--a lot for a five page document. The reader was trying to figure out what the story was, and we were throwing all kinds of names at them.

Then number a document with a corresponding to each chapter. Go through each chapter and write one or two sentences about elements from the main arc of the book (remember that one or two sentences defining the story?). Once you have all of them, begin merging them together. You may find that, while some parts are important in the story, it doesn't help in the synopsis. Or that you can actually leave a main character out. Whittle, revise, rewrite until you get it down to about a thousand words.

This sounds like it's easy, but it's not. Your story does need to fundamentally work to write the synopsis. If the story has structural problems, the synopsis won't work (believe me, I went through that myself). You may find that you need to do some revision because of the synopsis.

DamaNegra · Oct 2, 2006

WackAMole said:
I get in the door and they ask me to send my manuscript..or parts of it and then after reviewing it usually say something like "the project isn't right for me," wth does that mean LOL. I don't care if it sucks a ducks butt,

First off, calm down a little

Take a deep breath.

This could mean that your MS is still not good enough and that it still needs a bit of polishing. It could also mean that it's a good MS but they're not open for new proyects, or they're looking for something different than what you have but what you have is already good.

citymouse · Oct 2, 2006

The easiest way for me to write a synopsis is to pause after each chapter and write a few sentences describing the chapter. When by book is finished I have a running account. Believe me it's a lot easier to trim what I have in hand than to try and recount the whole long after the fact.

kuatolives · Oct 2, 2006

This guy was walking along and ahhhhhhh ninjas attacked and he was like ahhhhhhhhhh and they threw ninja stars and him and there was a big explOSION that nearly killed all the ninjas and the dead ninjas turned into undead cyborgs and there was another big explosion and the guy fell in love and the chick said like no way and he sent the ninjas after her and she flipped out of the way and then the government super spies erased their brains and set off another explosion and he found out the killer and the detective were the SAME PERSON and they had to shoot their dog cause it went crazy.

See, easy.

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

Thank you very much Linda..That sounds like some great advice. I had never thought of numbering out each chapter and summing it up with a few words..DUH..sometimes the most obvious things just totally go over my head.

I learned so much in such a short time when a published romance author, Joanne Delazzari I believe her name was, generously offered me her time and read through my manuscript. POV was a biggie for me, and I learned what "head hopping" was..she was absolutely awesome and inspired me a lot. She had no problem telling me what needed work and what I could do differently. When it was all said and done, and 5 rewrites later, I decided to start submitting..Lo and Behold, I totally choked on the synopsis. I can show you what my basic short version looks like..so far it has netted me some interest...I am not sure what the problem is with the rest of the book..but I imagine at some point maybe some big hearted agent will have the heart to let me know why the rejection after reviewing it.

In the little ( and i do mean "little") experience I have had in submitting work, I have found that usually if I get a positive reponse from the query letter, the synopsis has not been requested. What I usually get is.."we would like to see the first three chapters" or something similar..my most recent request, well, I probably just boned it up. ARgh..He asked for a "short" synopsis and the first 50 pages. Here is the short synopsis I sent to him:

"Registered Nurse Emily Richardson, newly divorced and depressed, eagerly accepts an invitation from an old friend to work at Gorgas Army Hospital in Panama City, Panama. Leaping at the opportunity for change, she leaves behind her job and her old life in Seattle. As she rebuilds her lost confidence and finds a new love interest in attractive Black Hawk pilot Pat Jenkins, violence and rumors of war threaten to bring Panama crumbling to its knees. Soon, tragedy strikes close to her heart, threatening not only her own life and the lives of those closest to her, but Panama's very existence as the US declares war on General Manuel Noriega and his Panamanian Empire. As victims of the war flood into the hospital, it tests not only the limits of her ability as a nurse, but her heart as well. As she struggles to confront one man's crimes, she discovers that hidden within the mortar blasts and bullets there is an evil far more dangerous than that of the war itself."

FLAME ON! I can only learn from my mistakes...i can take it...dish it out..give me the low down..how bad did i screw up and when can I expect the rejection letter LOL

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

citymouse said:
The easiest way for me to write a synopsis is to pause after each chapter and write a few sentences describing the chapter. When by book is finished I have a running account. Believe me it's a lot easier to trim what I have in hand than to try and recount the whole long after the fact.

This is a really great idea too!! THANKS!

I think I'm gonna try this with the manuscript I'm working on now.

Thanks again! You guys are great..love this place

icerose · Oct 2, 2006

I think you actually did pretty good.

Writing a synopsis to me is exposing the backbone of a story. Just the main character main conflict the situation. It seems you did that well enough that it sounds intriguing.

I want to read it.

Popeyesays · Oct 2, 2006

"So basically all the hair ripping and nausea won't go away??? Someone PLEASE tell me why I can write Novels, but I have anxiety attacks over Synopsis..."

In the future you might do your synopsis chapter by chapter as you go, that should lower the stress level of the task.

Regards,
Scott

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

Popeyesays said:
"So basically all the hair ripping and nausea won't go away??? Someone PLEASE tell me why I can write Novels, but I have anxiety attacks over Synopsis..."

In the future you might do your synopsis chapter by chapter as you go, that should lower the stress level of the task.

Regards,
Scott

Yes someone else posted that and I think its a great idea...I really love this place..I have been dying to find somewhere to talk about writing and to read and omg...I'm beside myself >

u guys rock..

and ice..if u wanna read it...be my guest...if u have something to share u wanna swap, I would be happy to swap with you...and thanks for the lovely compliment

Just PM me and we can chat more if u like..and thanks again..all of u

ChaosTitan · Oct 2, 2006

WackAMole, if you want a more in-depth critique of your synopsis, post it down in the Share Your Work forum. The folks that crit down there are fabulous.

And add the ending. The synopsis is not a tease, it's the entire story in 1000 words or less.

WackAMole · Oct 2, 2006

chaostitan said:
WackAMole, if you want a more in-depth critique of your synopsis, post it down in the Share Your Work forum. The folks that crit down there are fabulous.

And add the ending. The synopsis is not a tease, it's the entire story in 1000 words or less.

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that

Can I ask then..what the heck is a "summary"? I have had some folks ask for that and it just leaves me perplexed..like there is some big hidden writers secret about what a summary is and if you don't know what it is well OBVIOUSlY you must not be a REAL writer LOL

ChaosTitan · Oct 2, 2006

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I was under the impression that synopsis and summary were the same thing. Of course, in all of my agent research, I've only seen the word "synopsis" used.

LightShadow · Oct 2, 2006

chaostitan said:
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I was under the impression that synopsis and summary were the same thing. Of course, in all of my agent research, I've only seen the word "synopsis" used.

Summary/Description is short, clear, succinct, leaving out details. It is only the storyline.

The synopsis expands beyond the summary going into greater detail.

DeadlyAccurate · Oct 3, 2006

I think synopses are easy to write if you engage in ritual animal sacrifice, bathe yourself in three kinds of chocolate, and sing folk songs while standing on your head. But I haven't tried it myself.

(Note: this post is for entertainment purposes only, and the poster does not endorse the slaughter of animals. Especially the cute ones.)

Old Hack · Oct 3, 2006

Here is a link to Beth Anderson's really useful discussion of synopses:

http://www.bethanderson-hotclue.com/workshops/writing-the-tight-synopsis/

ANd I believe Miss Snark has recently discussed synopses again. Here's a link to her blog:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/

Now, I can't see the post I'm thinking of but it was pretty recent, I think. She described how to write a synopsis in four or five easy steps. Even if you don't find it, you'll enjoy browsing there, though, so it's worth a look!

icerose · Oct 3, 2006

The way I write my synopses if I can't seem to just sit down and write it is thus:

I bullet out the main points I want to cover.
Scrutinize the list cut or add anything that needs to be in there.
Fill out the main points.
Trim and allign to make it flow.

Poof you have a synopsis.

Smiffy · Oct 3, 2006

One of the things you need to be aware of is your target. Some publishers and or agents will want anything from a single paragraph upto 10% of book length.

If you know your target then ask them what they expect.

I've found it useful to start with a single sentence; expand this to four sentences - one for the opening, two for the middle and the last for the resoloution.

Once you've got this you can expand as required. The other method given to me was this - think of a story you've read and write a short snyopsys for that. Then you'll know whether you're on the right track.

Hope this helps,

Smiffy

ChaosTitan · Oct 3, 2006

LightShadow said:
Summary/Description is short, clear, succinct, leaving out details. It is only the storyline.

The synopsis expands beyond the summary going into greater detail.

Thanks, LightShadow!

JanDarby · Oct 3, 2006

Just as an example of how the writing process works differently for everyone, I actually find it HARDER to write the synopsis if I make notes as I go along, instead of stepping back and doing it from something of a distance. When I'm writing the story, every single page, paragraph, sentence and word is important. Later, I can look at it more objectively and just hit the high points.

I wrote a synopsis yesterday, and fortunately I only need to do a miniature one, so it's a mere three paragraphs, but the process is the same for me, regardless of the length.

I start with the structural elements, and write a single phrase or line for each:

1. The protagonist is ...
2. The trouble starts when ... [this establishes the story question/conflict]
3. The trouble gets worse when ... [this establishes that the conflict escalates]
4. The crisis or black moment is when ... [more rising tension, and an indication that the struggle peaks]
5. The trouble is resolved when ... [conclusion]

Well, I use different words, so it's not a list like that, but those are the points I know I need to hit. And I add in some cause-effect transitions, to get from one point to the other. But that's about it.

Another way of looking at it would be: Introduce characters/setting, start the struggle between protagonist and antagonist, describe turning point at end of Act 1, describe turning point at end of Act 2, describe crisis and resolution of Act 3.

Once you've got the bones of the story, you can add whatever layers will bring the synopsis up to the necessary length, without worrying that you've missed something critical.

Also, keep in mind that synopses are just not entertaining. I think trying for a "fun read" is what makes people so crazy when writing them. If synopses were entertaining, we wouldn't have to write the book, b/c people would be lining up to buy the synopsis. It'll save you some grief if you look at it as a business tool, not a creative work of art.

And if you want to test my theory (that synopses are inherently not fun for anyone), go to Miss Snark's archives and read through all 100 of the synopses she did recently (end of Aug, beginning of Sept), and try to do it all in a very few sittings, and I think you'll see that even the synopses that she considered solid weren't entertaining in themselves, but simply promised that the books they described would be entertaining.

JD

Tracy · Oct 3, 2006

All good advice here.
I would like to suggest, in addition, that the synopsis should not totally read like the back-cover blurb. Reason being - the blurb (correctly) raises the questions but doesn't answer them (so the reader will buy the book to find out what happens). It's a teaser.
The synopsis, on the other hand, is exactly that - a synopsis. It should tell everything that happens. Don't worry about ruining twists or having spoilers - the agents aren't reading it as a reader would anyway.

WackAMole · Oct 3, 2006

Well crap, I got the rejection from Mr Brown pretty quickly LOL this is what it said:

Thank you for letting me take a look at your work. However, I'm sorry to say that I'm going to have to pass on requesting more. I wish you great luck finding representation and eventual publication. Thanks again.

Regards,

Robert Brown, Author Representative
Wylie Merrick Literary Agency, Member AAR

Oh how I wish ONE of these guys would tell me what turned them off...I dont mind rejection, but what sucks the most is wondering what you can do to make the NO a YES in the future! BLEH

MidnightMuse · Oct 3, 2006

I find if I get drunk, then re-read those rejections, they sound just like an acceptance with a 5-book deal and million dollar advance

Till the next morning, anyway.

I dread the synopsis....

WTF?!?!

Who should be writing ...

WTF?!?!

Soldier, Storyteller

Mexican on the loose!

fantasy dweller

Gonzo Journalist

WTF?!?!

WTF?!?!

Lost in School Work

Now departed. Rest in peace, Scott, from all of us

WTF?!?!

Around

WTF?!?!

Around

defender of the blahs!

Absolutely Fazed

Such a nasty woman

Lost in School Work

Smiffy

Around

WTF?!?!

Midnight Reading