Full or brief synopsis?

young_zee · Dec 1, 2007

Hi guys,

I have just done a synopsis of around 5000 words, but that seems a bit long to me, so I cut it down and made a brief one of around 2000 words. I am about to query my novel to agents and was wondering, which one is best to send?

Thanks

Bufty · Dec 1, 2007

Hi Zee.

Send the one which most succinctly covers your main characters and main plot (including the resolution) and which you think the Agent will manage to read right through without scratching their head and lobbing it (the synopsis) in the trash can. Preferably the shorter one - if you managed to cut the original in half you must have a reasonable idea when you are near the mark.

If you wished, you could pop the shorter of the synopsis in the Query letter sub-Forum of the Share-Your-Work Forum here. But if you do, remember your profile is very bare and that your synopsis will be taken and commented on at face value. And don't get defensive or over sensitive about any responses - it's the writing on which folk will be commenting.

Good luck - whichever course you follow.

young_zee said:
Hi guys,
I have just done a synopsis of around 5000 words, but that seems a bit long to me, so I cut it down and made a brief one of around 2000 words. I am about to query my novel to agents and was wondering, which one is best to send?
Thanks

maestrowork · Dec 1, 2007

If you're just querying and they accept synopsis and sample chapter, I'd say pick the short one: 1 to 2 pages. You don't want to take up too much of the agent's time, especially if your query alone is not enough to hook them. If you're submitting a partial, then I think up to 5 pages is acceptable. (5000 words, however, does seem a bit long.)

David I · Dec 1, 2007

One page.

Never go longer than one page unless they specifically ask for a detailed synopsis, or a chapter-by-chapter synopsis.

Don't clutter it up or try and cover every thread. They want two things:

1) An idea why anyone would want to read this story, and
2) As Miss Snark puts it, some assurance that the aliens don't arrive on the farm in Chapter 14--that is, that the story heads in a reasonable direction consisten with the opening.

Some fun things have been doen with aliens arriving on the farm--cf. the film From Dusk Until Dawn, which is clearly a noirish crime thing until suddenly it is a vampire film--but people want to be warned.

Your synopsis ought to be farily compelling and entertaining, too, and this is more important than details.

young_zee · Dec 2, 2007

Thanks so much for all your helpful responses so far - it really is appreciated.

I hear one page, one-two pages, and think, what?! Even my 2000 word synopsis is of course around 5 pages long (single spaced). The thing is, I have secondary characters who come in at the end and contribute to the resolution, so I tried to give some details on them, but I can't just cut it out as the synopsis wouldn't make any sense then. I thought the query letter was the place for the 100 word paragraph mini synopsis thing.

My chapters are fairly long i.e. 10,000 words each, and the synopsis alone is taking just as much work as one of these. Who said when you've finished writing the book, redrafted, edited once twice thrice four five six seven times, checked the final draft, that you're anywhere near done!! Argh!

a_sharp · Dec 2, 2007

Think of the synopsis as a book jacket blurb with the ending revealed. If you regard it this way, you get what David I suggested, something that compels, intrigues and entertains the reader. It's not hype, but it introduces the main character, the situation, the dilemma, and the resolution. That's all you need. Any concern with secondary characters coming in late is irrelevant to the purpose of the synopsis. The agent or editor to whom you sent it is saying, "Make me want to read the full MS now and find out how you made this phenomenal idea work."

Also, the synopsis should reflect the voice of your book. If it's flip, make the synopsis a little flip. If it's deadly, be serious and succinct--think movie trailer voiceover. You don't have to go crazy with it, just be sure you're not flippant with a serious book.

To make the concept real for you, read a few book jackets on some books you've already read. That should give you an idea of what's told, what isn't told, and how it works.

Bufty · Dec 2, 2007

I think you may be confusing a Query Letter with a Synopsis.

The Synopsis shows what your story is - and includes the plot resolution.

The Query Letter simply shows who/what your story is about - eg., someone with a predicament.

a_sharp said:
The agent or editor to whom you sent it is saying, "Make me want to read the full MS now and find out how you made this phenomenal idea work."

To make the concept real for you, read a few book jackets on some books you've already read. That should give you an idea of what's told, what isn't told, and how it works.

a_sharp · Dec 2, 2007

Bufty said:
I think you may be confusing a Query Letter with a Synopsis.

The Synopsis shows what your story is - and includes the plot resolution.

The Query Letter simply shows who/what your story is about - eg., someone with a predicament.

Actually, Bufty, I know the difference quite well. But your summary of the two is quite well taken.

The point of the one-page synopsis is little different from the point of the query except for the resolution. It just carries the idea further through Setup, Plot Points and Conflict, Action, and Climax/Resolution. I have never seen a one-page example of all that. And from what I've learned from JClarkDawe in SYM, the so-called brief synopsis is closer to the book jacket in its intent to hook the reader vs. expound on the plot. A five-page synopsis, however, is a different matter and is appropriately the place for further character and plot embellishment.

At least that's what I've learned from a book on the subject, with which you may disagree anyway.

You know, the query/synopsis quandary is such a bone of contention, I wish there were more resources for writers explaining how they are done. We have all kinds on how to write fiction, but very little on the points for which we get so many unexplained rejections. And I'd like to see more examples of winning synopses to get an idea of what appeals. I've only seen one five-pager and it was an atrocious rehash almost chapter for chapter--yet it resulted in publication. Go figure.

Bufty · Dec 2, 2007

I can't disagree with that, AS.

Two page synopsis would be pretty common I imagine, and in things like fantasy it would be quite a struggle to get down to one page.

ORION · Dec 2, 2007

Really it depends on the purpose. My agent only like 250 word pitches or hooks. Ultimately it depends on the agent but even though they ask for a "full" synopsis if the hook is enticing and the partial is kick ass then it makes them interested in the full. Now my friend who has a 2 book deal had to deliver a detailed 20 page synopsis accompanied with a "hook" - that was requested by her editor to see where her 2nd book was going.
There is much confusion because each genre and each agent and each publisher does it slightly differently. My opinion? There is an advantage in erring on giving too little information rather than too much-
I know many times writers are compelled to give every single subplot in a synopsis - especially Fantasy - but ultimately it's not needed.
My suggestion for what it's worth is develop a short crisp 250 word hook and submit the first five pages to query- I know my agent asked for a synopsis along with her Full request but I just sent her the original hook from my query in a paragraph - that's what I did with all the agents who asked for Fulls. There is much to be said for brevity.

jclarkdawe · Dec 2, 2007

A 250 word synopsis is usually pretty much the query letter with an ending, as the query is going to run about that length. You might get rid of some of the dramatic to put in a bit more information, but I won't recommend it.

Right at the moment, it seems like agents usually want a synopsis to run about 750 - 1250 words (3-5 pages, double spaced). Yours at the moment is running about 9 - 10 pages double spaced, which appears to be longer than they're are liking.

If you come over to the query letter hell forum in SYW, we'll probably be able to tell you how to slice the sucker in half. We'll also probably tell you other things that you don't want to hear. I'd suggest looking at some of the other threads to decide whether you dare to post or not. Needless to say, we'll also be more than happy to play with your query. (And a lot of times your synopsis should flow from your query, so usually you get your query straightened out first.)

For a thread to look at on synopsises, see How to Write a Synopsis. Andrew Jameson does good work and it's well worth looking at. (And by the way, if you like it, contact the moderators and have them make the thread a stickie in the query letter forum.)

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

David I · Dec 2, 2007

ORION said:
My suggestion for what it's worth is develop a short crisp 250 word hook and submit the first five pages to query- I know my agent asked for a synopsis along with her Full request but I just sent her the original hook from my query in a paragraph - that's what I did with all the agents who asked for Fulls. There is much to be said for brevity.

I think that's all good advice.

There is indeed much to be said for brevity. And I'd rather leave an agent or editor wanting to know more than wondering when I'm going to shut up.

Contrary to what you might assume from my posts here...

young_zee · Dec 3, 2007

Thanks again guys! Though you are telling me what I don't want to hear at times ;P

I just want to do my book justice with the synopsis. I am currently settled on two versions: a full, which is more for me than any one else; and a brief (hopefully less than 2000 words in the end). My book is strange (I know people will say this a lot but it's just not normal. No it's not science fiction/fantasy). Things that you wouldn't expect have been done purposely and require explanation to an agent, though the reader should take it naturally if she sits down and reads carefully. Of course, however, when querying, you don't give the full mss, or any samples in many instances.

It does seem that some people are leaning towards the query letter where the synopsis is concerned; I don't see the point of writing a query mini-synopsis + resolution when the query is already done. I always thought the book blurb would be the 100-200 word summary in the query letter...

Prawn · Dec 3, 2007

Also, it is one page, single spaced, so you could put 400-600 words there.

RickN · Dec 3, 2007

jclarkdawe said:
A 250 word synopsis is usually pretty much the query letter with an ending, as the query is going to run about that length. You might get rid of some of the dramatic to put in a bit more information, but I won't recommend it.

I don't think you're being literal in your description, but in case you are, I can't agree with your description. My query letters have the hook and talk about the plot in a high-level format -- no more than 1-2 paragraphs max. The query letters also talk about me and my publishing creds -- something found nowhere in a synopsys.

My synopsyses (synopsi? synopsyseses?) are one-page, single-spaced, 400-word descriptions of my main plotline and primary characters involved in that plotline. Period -- no subplots, no love interest discussion, no deep background.

Prawn · Dec 3, 2007

RickN said:
My synopsyses (synopsi? synopsyseses?) are one-page, single-spaced, 400-word descriptions of my main plotline and primary characters involved in that plotline. Period -- no subplots, no love interest discussion, no deep background.

Interesting. Do you discuss chapter by chapter, or just tell it like a story. I write mine like a one-page short story.

jclarkdawe · Dec 3, 2007

RickN said:
I don't think you're being literal in your description, but in case you are, I can't agree with your description. My query letters have the hook and talk about the plot in a high-level format -- no more than 1-2 paragraphs max. The query letters also talk about me and my publishing creds -- something found nowhere in a synopsys.

My synopsyses (synopsi? synopsyseses?) are one-page, single-spaced, 400-word descriptions of my main plotline and primary characters involved in that plotline. Period -- no subplots, no love interest discussion, no deep background.

I was lazy and not going for the complete answer. A query letter consists of several parts, of which one is the description of your story. This description runs about 150 to 250 words, although sometimes they are shorter. If I was writing a short synopsis (and I wonder as well how you make this sucker into a plural), I'd take the description out of my query, tack an ending on it, check to make sure that there isn't a character that was worth killing for the query, but now needs some CPR, and send it.

Your query letter description should have all of the information that's needed for such a brief synopsis.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

ORION · Dec 3, 2007

Synopses is the plural
Synopsis is the singular

ORION · Dec 3, 2007

Aren't you guys glad I have too much time on my hands and looked that up?

David I · Dec 3, 2007

ORION said:
Aren't you guys glad I have too much time on my hands and looked that up?

In other words, you're really busy in your next novel and at your day job, and avoiding both, right?

Me too.

Though I thought the singular was "this damned synopsis" and plural was "these effing synopses."

young_zee · Dec 4, 2007

Since opinions differ on this one, a more objective question...

...Is a 2000 word synopsis acceptable?

If I wrote it all in 400-600 words it would just sound like my query letter again, just with the resolution, and the query letter mini synopsis is just a generalisation of the book, it doesn't actually say what happens more than an extremely vague statement, but that's all you can do with a 4 line paragraph.

RickN · Dec 4, 2007

young_zee said:
Since opinions differ on this one, a more objective question...

...Is a 2000 word synopsis acceptable?

It is, if the guidelines of the agent/publisher you're sending it to says it is.

I queried several agents who wanted a 1-page synopsis -- they would say 'no'.

I queried several agents who wanted a 2-page synopsis -- they would say 'no'.

I queried another agent who asked for one no longer than 1-page per 50 pages of novel -- they would say 'yes'.

I wrote a 2-pager that went to some and then shrunk it to a 1-pager. This was some of the toughest writing I ever did.

As far as query letter sounding like the synopsys: My query has an 85-word paragraph about the story. 4 sentences covering the 'what if', the 'who cares', and the 'why does he care'. It mentions 1 character -- the protagonist.

The 'what if' portion of the query forms the first paragraph in the synopsis. From there, my 1-page synopsis mentions 4 characters and some details about their background/roles in the story. The plot is covered in more detail. All told, just over 400 words. It has waaaay more info than the query letter.

Prawn · Dec 4, 2007

RickN said:
I wrote a 2-pager that went to some and then shrunk it to a 1-pager. This was some of the toughest writing I ever did.

I agree with that! I worked on my synopsis and query for longer than I worked on the novel!

maestrowork · Dec 4, 2007

A synopsis in a query letter should be no more than two paragraphs. I can't imagine sending a 400-word synopsis in a query.

1 to 2-page synopses should be fine for partial unless the agent asks for more (detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, for example). Single-spaced, Times Roman, blah blah should give you about 1000 words.

I always started with a full chapter-by-chapter, then pared that down to 5 pages, 2 pages and 1 page, then two paragraph and one line. That way, I have one for every occasion.

Bufty · Dec 4, 2007

You cannot be vague in your Query Letter, Zee.

Nobody wants to know everything that happens. In the body of the Query letter state who is in what predicament - that's all. In other words show what the book is about.

You can be brief, but it must be clear. 4 lines of vagueness isn't going to cut it. Nothing wrong with two paragraphs in your Query letter. What's that in total -say, ten/twelve lines roughly?

young_zee said:
Since opinions differ on this one, a more objective question...

...Is a 2000 word synopsis acceptable?

If I wrote it all in 400-600 words it would just sound like my query letter again, just with the resolution, and the query letter mini synopsis is just a generalisation of the book, it doesn't actually say what happens more than an extremely vague statement, but that's all you can do with a 4 line paragraph.

Full or brief synopsis?

Where have the last ten years gone?

Fear the Death Ray

Somebody give me an A

Where have the last ten years gone?

Somebody give me an A

Where have the last ten years gone?

Sailed away years ago

Feeling lucky, Query?

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Feeling lucky, Query?

Sailed away years ago

Sailed away years ago

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Fear the Death Ray

Where have the last ten years gone?