Writing fiction isn’t like writing nonfiction. Likewise, submitting fiction isn’t like submitting nonfiction. For one reason or another, I’ve been writing a lot more fiction this year than in years past, and while I’ve enjoyed the change of pace in writing, the submitting has taken me a little getting used to.
Case in point: I have yet to submit a fiction manuscript where I didn’t have to write a synopsis. That meant it was something I had to get used to and, in getting used to it, I’ve learned to actually enjoy it.
Or, if not enjoy it, then at least not dread it quite so much.
I hear a lot of writers talking about the synopsis process on Facebook and Twitter, on blogs and in articles, sharing tips and commiserating, and often the tone they use is one of abject fear, crippling anxiety or outright panic.
It’s hard to write when your hands are trembling, so in an effort to take some of the fear out of the exercise, I’ve compiled the following 3 Helpful Hints When Writing a Synopsis:
The First Tip – Design a Template
Some publishers are very specific about the length of your synopsis. Some want it to be no more than one-page; some want it to be 2-3 pages, while still others want a full 5-page synopsis treatment.
I generally write one synopsis for each manuscript and, depending on who I’m submitting it to, tailor it for length to match their (often very) specific guidelines. My “default” page count for a complete, thorough and thoughtful synopsis is generally in the 2-3 page range.
So, if I run across a publisher who is very firm about wanting one page and one page only, I can go to my default synopsis and cut it rather than starting from scratch. Likewise, if I’m submitting to a publisher who wants the full 5-page treatment, I can add to it. Most of the times, though, I’m pretty safe with my 2-3-pager.
The Second Tip – Details, Details, Details
Remember, it’s a synopsis. By definition, it’s not supposed to contain EVERY single detail of the book; otherwise it would be called “the book.” So how many details should you include? How many should you leave out?
I would start by not putting a “number” on your details; rather, rank them instead. Think of your synopsis like a good movie trailer; they don’t include EVERY plot twist, character name or special effect, do they?
No, they give you just enough to be able to tell the story and get excited over learning more. In the trailers for the Green Hornet movie, I don’t think I ever once saw the face of a villain; just the two good guys leaping around doing cool stuff. Sure, there was a basic “plot,” but not seeing the bad guy’s face didn’t stop me from wanting to see the movie.
Yes, of course, YOU should provide details about your bad guy/gal, as well as your good guy(s)/gal(s), but you don’t need to list every single detail about every single character.
For instance, there is a spouse or neighbor or parent – or several – in each of my clients’ novels, but rarely do I even mention them in the synopses; there isn’t really room and unless they’re central to the plot, which they usually aren’t, why bother?
So be choosy about the details you leave in – and leave out. Share enough to tell the story, but not so much that you’re so busy telling the “back story” that no one knows what happens in the actual book!
The Third Tip – Write Like No One’s Reading
Finally, relax! I’m not being overly casual or whimsical or blunt or sarcastic here; I really mean it – relax. You can’t write well when you’re troubling over every word, and a synopsis isn’t intended to give you major cardiac arrest.
I think of it this way: in a query letter, every word counts. It’s the first impression, the elevator pitch, the foot in the door. So every word has to be polished, tight and clean. Same for your manuscript; it really has to be the best it can be, on every page, so that if it were to go to press tomorrow it would be camera ready.
Now, for me anyway, the synopsis falls someplace in the middle. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t take my synopses lightly; far from it. I also make sure they’re clean and tight and fully fleshed out and engaging and all the rest. But… but… I do relax a little more and just let the story tell itself.
For me, a synopsis should do three major things:
1.) Introduce all the major characters and tell how they relate to each other and the story;
2.) Outline the story from beginning to end, hitting the 5-7 major plot developments I include in each novel;
3.) Explain the ending to a sufficient degree that all the threads tie together.
If my synopsis does that, effectively and engagingly, and falls within the page count the publisher is asking for, I’m happy. (You should be, too.)
I really hope these tips have helped.
I know some folks breeze through the synopsis and might think this is funny, but I really do think it’s a big deal for a lot of writers out there, so I hope these few tips take the dread out of doing something that helps invite readers to read more of our books!
Yours in publishing,
Rusty
Case in point: I have yet to submit a fiction manuscript where I didn’t have to write a synopsis. That meant it was something I had to get used to and, in getting used to it, I’ve learned to actually enjoy it.
Or, if not enjoy it, then at least not dread it quite so much.
I hear a lot of writers talking about the synopsis process on Facebook and Twitter, on blogs and in articles, sharing tips and commiserating, and often the tone they use is one of abject fear, crippling anxiety or outright panic.
It’s hard to write when your hands are trembling, so in an effort to take some of the fear out of the exercise, I’ve compiled the following 3 Helpful Hints When Writing a Synopsis:
The First Tip – Design a Template
Some publishers are very specific about the length of your synopsis. Some want it to be no more than one-page; some want it to be 2-3 pages, while still others want a full 5-page synopsis treatment.
I generally write one synopsis for each manuscript and, depending on who I’m submitting it to, tailor it for length to match their (often very) specific guidelines. My “default” page count for a complete, thorough and thoughtful synopsis is generally in the 2-3 page range.
So, if I run across a publisher who is very firm about wanting one page and one page only, I can go to my default synopsis and cut it rather than starting from scratch. Likewise, if I’m submitting to a publisher who wants the full 5-page treatment, I can add to it. Most of the times, though, I’m pretty safe with my 2-3-pager.
The Second Tip – Details, Details, Details
Remember, it’s a synopsis. By definition, it’s not supposed to contain EVERY single detail of the book; otherwise it would be called “the book.” So how many details should you include? How many should you leave out?
I would start by not putting a “number” on your details; rather, rank them instead. Think of your synopsis like a good movie trailer; they don’t include EVERY plot twist, character name or special effect, do they?
No, they give you just enough to be able to tell the story and get excited over learning more. In the trailers for the Green Hornet movie, I don’t think I ever once saw the face of a villain; just the two good guys leaping around doing cool stuff. Sure, there was a basic “plot,” but not seeing the bad guy’s face didn’t stop me from wanting to see the movie.
Yes, of course, YOU should provide details about your bad guy/gal, as well as your good guy(s)/gal(s), but you don’t need to list every single detail about every single character.
For instance, there is a spouse or neighbor or parent – or several – in each of my clients’ novels, but rarely do I even mention them in the synopses; there isn’t really room and unless they’re central to the plot, which they usually aren’t, why bother?
So be choosy about the details you leave in – and leave out. Share enough to tell the story, but not so much that you’re so busy telling the “back story” that no one knows what happens in the actual book!
The Third Tip – Write Like No One’s Reading
Finally, relax! I’m not being overly casual or whimsical or blunt or sarcastic here; I really mean it – relax. You can’t write well when you’re troubling over every word, and a synopsis isn’t intended to give you major cardiac arrest.
I think of it this way: in a query letter, every word counts. It’s the first impression, the elevator pitch, the foot in the door. So every word has to be polished, tight and clean. Same for your manuscript; it really has to be the best it can be, on every page, so that if it were to go to press tomorrow it would be camera ready.
Now, for me anyway, the synopsis falls someplace in the middle. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t take my synopses lightly; far from it. I also make sure they’re clean and tight and fully fleshed out and engaging and all the rest. But… but… I do relax a little more and just let the story tell itself.
For me, a synopsis should do three major things:
1.) Introduce all the major characters and tell how they relate to each other and the story;
2.) Outline the story from beginning to end, hitting the 5-7 major plot developments I include in each novel;
3.) Explain the ending to a sufficient degree that all the threads tie together.
If my synopsis does that, effectively and engagingly, and falls within the page count the publisher is asking for, I’m happy. (You should be, too.)
I really hope these tips have helped.
I know some folks breeze through the synopsis and might think this is funny, but I really do think it’s a big deal for a lot of writers out there, so I hope these few tips take the dread out of doing something that helps invite readers to read more of our books!
Yours in publishing,
Rusty
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