Help with writing a synopsis?

Saturnine · Jan 23, 2013

I tried to search old threads for this, but so many results came up that didn't answer my question, I figured it might be easier to start a new thread... I apologize if this has been answered before!

I recently submitted a full ms to an agent, and she sent me a follow up email today saying she's about halfway through it, but she would like a full synopsis of the novel. I've never written a synopsis for fiction (only just the two-paragraph blurb that might go on the back of a book) and I obviously don't want to do it wrong since it's for an agent.

Is there a format? Any pointers anyone could give me? Do you give the ending away in a synopsis? I can pop out fiction at a dizzying pace, but when it comes to writing things like summaries or query letters and the like, I'm really awful....

suki · Jan 23, 2013

Hi Saturnine. Welcome to AW.

Go to Query Letter Hell in Share Your Work - password is vista (I think - if not, it's likely printed right under the place where you enter the password on the gateway screen).

There you will find resources on writing a synopsis and threads where people have posted their own synopsis for critique. You can't start your own thread for critique until you have 50 posts, but you can learn by reading the resources and reading the critiques. And if maybe even offering some critique of your own, while on your way to 50 posts.

~suki

Little Ming · Jan 23, 2013

Generally:

A synopsis covers your story from beginning to end, so yes, you give away the ending. The synopsis is for the agent to know that you can plot, there aren't any (or too many) loose ends or massive plot holes, there's a story arc, a character arc, etc.

However, how in depth the synopsis gets into subplots and nuances will depend on its length. Check the agent's guidelines to see if there's a specific length, or any other specific requirements. If not, I usually go for 2 pages singled spaced, or 3-5 pages double spaced.

emccabe · Jan 23, 2013

I found this page helpful.

http://www.wherethemapends.com/writerstools/writers_tools_pages/publishing_biz_pages/synopses.htm

I do not know if it is sound advice but it dose give you somewhere to start.

DanielaTorre · Jan 23, 2013

GuruLord posted a helpful link on synopsis last year. It takes Star Wars as an example and it is probably the best tutorial on synopsis I've ever seen. Very simple too. Help me a ton.

http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/04/17/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/

Roxxsmom · Jan 23, 2013

There's a step by step on synopsis writing in the SYW forum, but I'm having trouble remembering exactly where it is (or I'd link it). I'd definitely poke around in that forum, though, as there are a lot of threads and some good advice there.

ucf612 · Jan 23, 2013

DanielaTorre said:
GuruLord posted a helpful link on synopsis last year. It takes Star Wars as an example and it is probably the best tutorial on synopsis I've ever seen. Very simple too. Help me a ton.

http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/04/17/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/

I was just about to post this same one. I haven't used it yet because I'm not to that stage but I thought it was great info.

Help with writing a synopsis?

Saturnine

Saturnine

suki

Opinionated

Little Ming

emccabe

DanielaTorre

...

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido

ucf612