Help with writing a synopsis?

Saturnine · 01-23-2013, 09:54 PM

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 · 01-23-2013, 10:13 PM

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 · 01-23-2013, 10:29 PM

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 · 01-23-2013, 10:47 PM

I found this page helpful.

http://www.wherethemapends.com/write...s/synopses.htm

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

DanielaTorre · 01-23-2013, 11:09 PM

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/...page-synopsis/

Roxxsmom · 01-23-2013, 11:21 PM

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 · 01-24-2013, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielaTorre

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/...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.

01-23-2013, 09:54 PM	#1
Saturnine Saturnine Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 12	Help with writing a synopsis? 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.... __________________ **~Elk&Owl~**

01-23-2013, 10:13 PM	#2
suki Opinionated Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3,557	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 __________________ Don't feed the Trolls! Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads PERSONAL EFFECTS (Candlewick Press, September 2012). Now available! B&N ~ Amazon ~ IndieBound~ Interested in supporting a great indie bookstore (and ordering an autographed copy of Personal Effects at the same time)? Read more here.

01-23-2013, 11:09 PM	#5
DanielaTorre Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Lost Moon of Poosh Posts: 747	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/...page-synopsis/ __________________

01-23-2013, 11:21 PM	#6
Roxxsmom practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lost in space. And meaning. Posts: 1,335	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. __________________ Please excuse me, I was raised by wolves. My twitter - My FB - My blog

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01-23-2013, 10:29 PM	#3
Little Ming practical experience, FTW Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,554	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.

01-23-2013, 10:47 PM	#4
emccabe practical experience, FTW Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montana, U.S.A Posts: 123	I found this page helpful. http://www.wherethemapends.com/write...s/synopses.htm I do not know if it is sound advice but it dose give you somewhere to start.