Handling flashbacks in a synopsis

[Serena Casey]

How do you do it? I realize a synopsis is not simply a recitation of what happens chapter by chapter, but I've never done a synopsis before and I'm not sure how to incorporate them. In my novel, the flashbacks chronicle specific incidents in the relationship between the MCs as children (chronologically) and provide relevant information about their backgrounds and internal conflicts. They're relatively short.

Should I just include this information bit by bit wherever it pertains to the various elements of the synopsis, without regard to chronological order? Just wondering how some of you have handled this.

[maestrowork]

A synopsis should focus on the main plot -- to me flashbacks are diversions or back stories. If you must include them in the synopsis to help the main plot make sense, summarize:

Something something something happens, it's because a year ago Jack lost his job. Then something something else happens.

[KAP]

I agree with Maestrowork. Make the synopsis as straightforward as possible, concentrating on the main character and the plot as it moves forward in time. Even flashbacks that work in a novel tend to be confusing in a synopsis. I really struggled with this in my last synopsis. And that's all we need, right, something else to struggle with in a synopsis?

Best luck,
kap

[MDSchafer]

I was at a writers workshop, and the agent giving a section on synopsis said you should mention the flashback when the flashback appears in the narrative.

[jclarkdawe]

Tell your story in a simple, clear fashion. Remember, you don't have much room (if you're over 2,000 words, you're too long and personally, I wouldn't want to be that long if I could avoid it). If you feel in your first drafts that you absolutely, positively have to have the flashbacks, put them in. But remember that character motivation is not a big part of a synopsis. There just isn't enough room to include it.

A synopsis is hard to write, and even harder to make interesting. The more subplots and flashbacks you put into it, the worse they become. I think you'll find as you write your synopsis the issue of flashbacks will disappear, and you'll find even worse problems to worry about.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

[Serena Casey]

Thanks for your input, guys; I appreciate it!
I think you'll find as you write your synopsis the issue of flashbacks will disappear, and you'll find even worse problems to worry about.
Oh goody. This is going to be tough, especially since my plot isn't too original as it is. Gulp.