Synopsis Woes

[Madison]

Some agents I'm querying want a synopsis with the query, but I'm having huge issues writing it. HUGE! I'm about ready to scream or something! Not exactly sure why, but it's just not going well at all. Plus, I want to have it done before I start querying...just in case. So basically, this crappy-synopsis-itis is putting me at a stand still. HELP!

Do you guys have any tips for the killer synopsis? A brief synopsis 101? Stories from the other side?

Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated!

[Soccer Mom]

First, arm yourself with brownies. Synopsis suck.

Let me repeat: sucksucksucksucksucksucksucksucksucksucksucksuck.

Deep, cleansing breath. Okay, here is how I go about doing it. Don't try to write from the novel. Set it aside and simply write your story as if you were explaining it to someone in present tense. Then I start paring it down to the important parts and shaping the synopsis.

When I think I've got it, I have someone beta read that HASN'T read my book. I don't want their brain filling in any plot holes. I want fresh eyes to see if it makes coherent sense.

[Appalachian Writer]

The best luck I ever had re:first synopsis was with a single paragraph. Sure, there were lots of commas, but I got the precious response: "After reading your synopsis I find I'd like to read a partial." Golly-gee-whiz! Anyway, I'm not great at it, and I hate it as much as you apparently do. There's help. You've asked. It'll come from someone far more experienced than me. Good luck, and have a nice, large piece of chocolate. Couldn't hurt!

AND listen to Soccer Mom. After all, Mom knows best.

[Scrawler]

What I do is write a summary of each chapter (works for me because mine have 24 and 21 chapters each). Then I use that as my draft and morph it all together.
Sites and articles (http://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.html) are readily available.

[SageFury]

I wrote my synopsis in 1 1/4 paragraphs, It fits so well but I still am waiting for a reply so I don't know if they like it or not... I'm content with it though =)

Write as short as you can and just throw in key points. Quick description of the MCs personality followed by a couple sentences on a-b and then end it.

People tell me you should include the end result of the story at the end but I don't think thats true in most cases just have to direct them enough so they can get an idea of where its going =)

[David I]

Don't think "synopsis." Think "flap copy." One page present-tense description that will make the reader want to read the book. Don't be coy about the facts, but you don't need to describe all the details, just the main story.

[ORION]

yup- think short back flap copy- That's what my agent wants for each book-
Start with one sentence and work to about a paragraph. I always start my synopsis for my books before I even finish them...

[Madison]

Feeling better now :) Good thoughts - thank you!! I started casually explaining the book to myself in my head; then I looked at the site from scrawler and remembered I had one of the books suggested there! (The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit). It's been about a million pounds of help and I'm happily plugging through now - so far so good. I think last time I was trying to throw in too many details. Phew!

[Soccer Mom]

The only thing I'm going to disagree with above is that you SHOULD give the ending. Agents want to know that you can conclude a story, not just set one up.