Synopsis woes

[JuliePgh]

I've been struggling with my synopsis for...well, too long. This site for writing a synopsis is wonderful
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/9534/barebones.html

but I feel my synopsis is dry and boring whereas I know my novel is not.

I'm not sure if that's from too much detail, stripped to the "bare bones," or the fact that I don't have a lot of fantasy or science elements that come through since they're not vital to my plot in most cases.

Has anyone else run up against this, the feeling that the synopsis feels blah compared to the book?

[brinkett]

I can relate, but to be honest, just about every sample synopsis I've read sounds a bit blah, and that includes actual synopses that sold the novels in question.

I've read that the purpose of the synopsis is to show that the novel has a coherent, believable plot, rather than to wow the reader, since it's understood that it's just a summary. Don't know if this is true.

[JanaLanier]

Thanks for the link, Julie.

I've always struggled with synopses -- I agree that it's difficult to make the prose come alive while you're summarizing. If anyone has any suggestions (such as add interesting details and omit everything except major plot turns?), I'd love to hear them!

[James D. Macdonald]

Write the synopsis as if you were telling a buddy about a really great movie you'd seen the night before.

[triceretops]

Julie

I'll try again, I had a massive post here and got knocked off!

Try opening up your synop with a major plot question. Then sprinkle 3-5 more query type sentences into the text. For example:

The main heroine is taken off to jail to be prosecuted for murder. How does she find out that she's got an evil twin she never knew about that is responsible for the murder? How is she going to escape conviction and clear her name? Not in the conventional sense!

I think you get the idea. It's a psychological (sp) gimmick to pull the reader in--to get cozy and familiar. Also, run, don't walk to your nearest novels and start reading all the back covers. These are condensed synops--They use stark, descriptive words to tantalize, pull you in. Even some DVD movies have short "pull" lines to attract your attention. But they never give the ending away, only hang it out there. You, on the other hand, must explain your payoff, or resolution.

Post your present synop and have one of us look at it. Just a thought.

Triceratops

[JuliePgh]

I feel I can write a back cover without much problem, because they tend to taunt, leave open ended questions which demand you read to find out. But the synopsis should be packed with the major plot details and NOT leave the questions unanswered. Maybe that's why mine feels "dry." I didn't think editors would want to see any questions, even at the beginning, though I like the idea.

[three seven]

Write the synopsis as if you were telling a buddy about a really great movie you'd seen the night before.
...but leave out the part where the dog changed the channel and ran off with the remote. http://www.geocities.com/thingumybobwotsit/thumbsup.gif

[maestrowork]

I asked one of my readers to write a synopsis for me -- as if he's reporting on a movie he saw. It worked well to a point (he skipped some details). I was just TOO close to it to see clearly...