Synopsis Update

I’ve said that I completed the second draft of my synopsis in my “Yay” post from Saturday. On Sunday was my monthly writers group and I got to read the synopsis to the group. It is just shy of 1500 words, so longish.

Everyone complained that the synopsis was sooo boring and clinical. They wanted to hear the voice of the chapter I had written to them once before. I’m not sure how to do that. I think I’ve got the whole chronological book report done, but I also ?think? the synopsis is like your “pitch” to an agent. Mine couldn’t sell ice cream on a hot summer day.

What to do?

Is the markety language in the cover letter? Do you somehow expose your voice in the synopsis? Somehow I’m going to push this boulder up a hill. And I’m going to like doing it!

A Structure for the Novel Synopsis

Here are notes I took while in a PNWA seminar by Jason Black.
He’s a great teacher. I recommend taking this course, checking out his editing services, or taking other courses by Jason.

Essential 6 Ingredients:

1) Setting & Genre
2) Major Characters (Names or role-title)
3) Central Conflict / Major Goals
4) Major Plot Events / Turning Points (Inciting Incidents)
5) Character Arc Elements (Changed Characters)
6) Resolution (end of the story) goals met or not

Leave Out:

1) Over-specification of the setting / genre
2) Supporting characters & bit players
3) Secondary conflicts & goals
4) sub-plots and minor complications (focus on net result)
5) Over-specification of the resolution

Structure of a synopsis:

Synopsis mirrors your story, Keep it chronological, Minimize Back story

1) Immediate impressions
An enticing image, setting or concept to grab attention

2) The protagonist
Who and what’s their dream

3) Inciting Incident
What event, decision, or change forces the main character to take action

4) No turning back
Action or decision which changes the story’s direction. Protagonist is all in.

5) Conflicts, characters experiences
Who do we meet and what happens leading to…

6) Midpoint
What event forces the MC to do an about-face on an attitude, emotion, goal etc.

7) Final Crisis and despair (something unexpected)
What near-success is thwarted, or unexpected crisis occurs, making victory seem   impossible

8) Climax
What happens in the final confrontation

9) Denouement
MC’s fate; how does he/she re-orient towards the next phase of their life. Tie up loose ends.

Synopsis Update

I’m creaking around on my sofa this morning wondering when my sinuses will calm down. Oh pollen, with kleenex I wait for thee; for breath’s sake I spray my last sneeze at thee. There. All better. My ears, which are infected (stupid hearing aid), are enjoying The Joy Formidable this morning through the sound of eternal cicadas known as tinnitus.

But enough of that. Synopsis. I has a first draft done. I will finish it before this weekend’s writers group. The synopsis is soooo terse. I’ll have to try the “spin around six times, stop, sit down, then stand up” method for getting into a creative place and inject some life into this adult book report.

I wish you all fair sailing today. May creative juices flow out your pores, and the sun heat them into a golden tan. 🙂

What is the standard format for a novel synopsis?

I sifted through many search results and picked three that were the most helpful for me.

This first one was the best. It is the source of the information I’ve quoted below. The author is unnamed.
http://www.agentquery.com/format_tips.aspx

“What is the standard format for a novel synopsis?

1. Word Count: 500-1000 words (approximately 2-3 pages)
2. Spacing: One-page synposis: single-spaced with breaks between paragraphs, one-inch margins. Two-pages or more: double-spaced, one-inch margins.
3. Tone: Regardless of the tense and point of view of your novel, your synopsis should always be written in third-person, present tense.
4. Font: Times New Roman, 12-point font
5. Page Numbers: upper right-hand corner
6. Header: Last name and book title in upper left-hand corner. Steinbeck/Grapes of Wrath
7. Content: Describe the main conflicts and plot points as they occur chronologically throughout the book. Introduce main characters and describe how their relationships grow, evolve, or dissolve from beginning to the end.
8. Ending: This isn’t a movie trailer. Reveal the whole plot; do not finish with a “teaser” or “cliffhanger” ending”

This one by the esteemed author Jane Friedman is also good, and comes with a link to a recording of previous webinar $79.
http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/get-published-sell-my-work/your-guide-to-an-effective-novel-synopsis

The third is shorter, but also a good source. The wirter is Courtney Carpenter.
http://www.writersdigest.com/editors-picks/learn-how-to-write-a-synopsis-like-a-pro

Progress, Synopsis, Gesundheit

I’m ~500 words into the first draft of my synopsis. I’m finding this is a great exercise. It’s kind of like writing a book report in fourth grade, only in reverse. I’m writing the book report I hope someone could write after reading the book. Meaning, what are the important plot and character elements of the story, and what is the theme, and story arcs.

O can see that completing the synopsis will help me with this next edit.
Oh, and say synopsis three times, quickly, in a crowd. Gesundheit. 🙂

ReBlog: How to Write a Synopsis of Your Novel

My task for the next couple weeks while I am finishing up my break from writing.

This is a great instructive post for this important part of my portfolio.
http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/how-to-write-a-synopsis.html#