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| Graphic from College Hills |
This is a checklist, not a how-to. Writers should follow-up by reading the cited articles. The two in blue are required reading, IMO. For simplicity, I'm using authors' initials. See References for details.
Last caveat: The following relates specifically to the agent-querying package.
A Synopsis Checklist
- Format. 3-5 pages max; double-spaced; 1-inch margins; name, title, contact info on first page; last name, shortened title and page numbers on following pages, just like the MS. (JR)
- Tense and POV. 3rd person present. As with queries, some synopses have successfully broken this rule, but in general, it's wise to play it safe. (MG)
- Purpose. Your synopsis should show... (JF)
- "That the author hasn't gone off in some weird direction that doesn't make sense or suit the targeted genre."
- "What makes your story different by how the plot progresses." i.e. Show key selling points.
- M.O. Modus Operandi. This nasty bastard should...
- Distill plot and conflict to major points, turning points, and characters readers care about. (JR)
- Avoid character soup. (ST)
- Convey a sense of building doom and escalating trouble. (JH)
- Keep tension alive. Use paragraph breaks as cliffhangers. (ST)
- Mimic book jacket copy. (NB)
- Entice. Read aloud, graf by graf, to a friend. Ask where it bores. (MG)
- Be readable. Easy to scan? Lots of white space, no long blocks of text? (CG)
- Style.
- Simplicity. Plot level to sentence level, keep it easy to digest. (ST)
- Infuse the synopsis with your book's spirit and tone. Steal phrases indigenous to your story world. (See article by ST)
Final remarks:
On the one hand, relax. Most writers hate the synopsis, and most agents and editors do too. They'll be forgiving. On the other hand, this is a chance to show that your logic, character development, and world building is impeccable. Enjoy the chance to preen a little under the scrutiny and spotlight.
Good luck!
--Lora
References:
Good luck!
--Lora
References:
- General How-To by Nathan Bransford (NB)
- Purpose of the Synopsis by Jessica Faust (JF) of Bookends, LLC
- General How-To by Marg Gilks (MG), author and freelance editor
- Tips On the Synopsis by Candy Gourlay (CG), award-winning author
- PLEASE READ: A Thorough How-To by Janice Hardy (JH) repped by Kristen Nelson
- Length and Format byJanet Reid (JR)
- PLEASE READ: On Polishing the Synopsis by Suzie Townsend of Nancy Coffey Literary (ST)
- Further reading: A synopsis compendium by Gabrielle Luthy.
Thank you for sending me the link to this post! I'm definitely saving this in my favorites for when I get to the synopsis writing in a month or so =D
ReplyDeleteGreat info. Synopses can be daunting. A checklist is a great way to approach the process. Thanks for the post. I'll definitely be using this in the future.
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with you right now. ;) Thank you, this is great!
ReplyDeleteMay I add one bit of unsolicited advice? Keep it simple. Your story consists of a beginning, a middle, and an end. Three paragraphs. ^_^
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lora! Very succinct and helpful. (My God, I had synopses...)
ReplyDeleteThe reminder about long blocks of text is actually quite useful :). Kisses Lora.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Juliana, Rhen, Charlie!
ReplyDeleteSo, yeah, I wrote this post and tried to write my own bloody synopsis and failed miserably. Knowledge isn't always power, I guess. Good luck with yours!
Angelina, Love it. Simplicity is key.
Unikorna, Yes, I need to remember that one myself :) ((Hugs!))
Thanks for this! I'm saving it in my favorites for when that unenviable time comes. :0
ReplyDeleteYou always give the best advice! Now I have to go take a look at my various synopses. I haven't revised them in a year even though I've added layers to my manuscript. Thanks, Lora!!
ReplyDelete