Synopsis POV question

azbikergirl · May 3, 2005

I'm writing a short (2000 word) synopsis of my "completed" novel, and I can't decide how to present some of the information. Here's the gist of it:

Mary overhears a story in a tavern that has Significant Meaning. Another character, whose name she doesn't know, looks at her and smirks, making it obvious he has heard the story and understands the significance of it.

In the synopsis, do I tell it from the "omniscient narrator" pov, naming the other character, or do I refer to him as the mysterious stranger? It'll make the entire synopsis easier to understand if I name him, but in the novel itself, told from Mary's POV, she doesn't know who he is yet.

PattiTheWicked · May 3, 2005

azbikergirl said:
I'm writing a short (2000 word) synopsis of my "completed" novel, and I can't decide how to present some of the information. Here's the gist of it:

Mary overhears a story in a tavern that has Significant Meaning. Another character, whose name she doesn't know, looks at her and smirks, making it obvious he has heard the story and understands the significance of it.

In the synopsis, do I tell it from the "omniscient narrator" pov, naming the other character, or do I refer to him as the mysterious stranger? It'll make the entire synopsis easier to understand if I name him, but in the novel itself, told from Mary's POV, she doesn't know who he is yet.

My understanding is that if you're writing a synopsis to send out to editors or agents, they don't like surprises. For example, a synopsis should never contain the phrase, "and then the killer is revealed to be someone you never expected! the end!"

I'd say name him. You could maybe throw in a disclaimer, like, "A mysterious stranger, who is -- unbeknownst to Mary -- Bob the Handyman, later revealed to be her illegitimate brother, yada yada yada..."

maestrowork · May 3, 2005

In a synposis, it should be omniscient. You're not really telling a story; you're telling the agent what the story is about. If the point about Mary not know the guy is important, just say "but Mary doesn't know who he is." Remember, you are summarizing the story.

And yes, don't hold anything important from the agent. Tell the ending.

zornhau · May 4, 2005

I think it depends on the story. If it's important that it's a Mysterious Stranger, then I'd go "the Mysterious Stranger (Eric) overhears and smirks"

azbikergirl · May 4, 2005

Thanks, all. The event's about mid-book, and Mary finds out who the Mysterious Stranger is soon enough. I'll go with a mention that she doesn't know who he is yet, but discovers later. In the novel, the reader knows who he is by his description when she sees him (he is distinctive), so it's not a major mystery to be uncovered later.

LightShadow · May 4, 2005

An excellent Synopsis is one of the most (if not 'the' most) important item required to gain the attention of an agent, or an editor at a publishing house. The Synopsis may have an initial exposure of only 30 to 45 seconds before an editor decides from your Synopsis whether or not he/she will proceed with reviewing the submission. The presentation needs to be sharp. It must be clear, succinct, expanding upon a one page description with greater detail. It needs to be in present tense, and it needs to include the ending. It needs to be something that will tweak the interest of the professionals. Unique. Original.

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maestrowork · May 4, 2005

azbikergirl said:
Thanks, all. The event's about mid-book, and Mary finds out who the Mysterious Stranger is soon enough. I'll go with a mention that she doesn't know who he is yet, but discovers later. In the novel, the reader knows who he is by his description when she sees him (he is distinctive), so it's not a major mystery to be uncovered later.

That's called dramatic irony, I think. That the readers know information that the characters don't. It's the kind of detail you can delete from your synopsis.

Synopsis POV question

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