The Dreaded Synopsis

[BobbyBrandt]

From what I have heard and read on the subject, I don't believe I am unique as an author who can churn out a 100K+ story in a few weeks, but then struggles for months creating a viable synopsis of the story.

I have written dozens of stories, where a synopsis was required by agents or publishers, and it has never been easy for me to create a summary of the story that I feel does it justice. I eventually get it done, but still wish it wasn't as challenging. Premise, Plot, Conclusion. Easy, right? Not if your intent is to entice someone to read it in between 500 and 800 words of summary information

I have heard the advice about writing the synopsis in parallel to the story, but that has never worked for me, and actually detracts from my writing of the story if I attempt that process.

Anyone else with advice?

 

[yowser]

The standard advice, which maybe you have heard a million times already (apologies if so) is to pretend you are explaining your work to someone you got talking to at the bus stop - not a lot of time, someone who hasn't a clue who you are or where you are coming from so needs just the most basic explanation, etc. (Another guy I knew, in broadcasting, who knew this 'trick' said no, even better pretend you are explaining it to your mother) regardless... do something to get your head out of the midst of your story, dumb it down so that you can say it all in a handful of sentences, don't get fancy or cute, try to answer the listener's unspoken desire - cut to the chase.

I don't know if your chapter titles or categorisations will help, but those might be useful as well.

Forestry as a whole, instead of individual tree analysis.

 

[Britva415]

This kind of synopsis isn't supposed to be a summary of the story, it's supposed to* be closer to a marketing pitch. Say what's interesting about the story. Maybe describe the plot lines which will compel reading to find out what happens, rather than explaining what happens.

* supposed-to, in the sense of being more effective.

Writing it this way may turn out to be easier than trying to summarize it, since it relieves one of the sense of leaving stuff out. Stuff is supposed to be left out.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Sorry no.

I struggle to get to 100k words out in the first place, usually adding about 300 words a day, maybe 500 to 1000 if I’m lucky.

 

[DeLaFaye]

Yowser's advice is spot on, start there, don't worry about the word count. Then edit it down again and again. If you made an outline, or again like Yowser said, chapters, that can also be a good place to start and tighten it up from there.

What worked well for me was reading successful queries and synopses and comparing/contrasting. If you're looking at professional editors for any level of editing, they should be able to help as well with any of that. Also, look into mentorship programs. There are a ton of them out there and even if you don't get one, those author's love to help out with critiques that can help you along.

I also use this as a kind of checklist:
https://www.masterclass.com/article...sis-step-by-step-guide#1969zx0NvS1hP2UF01rtwm

 

[oneagainst]

(Another guy I knew, in broadcasting, who knew this 'trick' said no, even better pretend you are explaining it to your mother).

"So, Mum, it's about a girl who likes to...."

"More tea, dear?"