At last, I am ready to write my query and synopsis. After months making sure everything is ready, and learning more than I ever imagined I didn’t know, I’ve got a novel to be proud of. A few select people read the story, helping to find errors, and came away asking about my next book. That made me smile.
After I had my manuscript read, each chapter received one last, by-hand edit. When I finished that, it got read out loud until nothing stumbled.
What now?
Well, after some research, I’ve narrowed it down to writing a query letter and a synopsis. I decided to try the later first, as it seemed the hardest. Looking them up, each site offers different advice. Nathan Bransford seems to say that a synopsis should be like the book’s blurb, only with an ending. That makes it sound like he wants to hear our voice.
Others believe you should tell, not show—saying that the editor or agent already likes your writing, given that they have requested your synopsis. They warn against using fancy descriptions. Mostly, the synopsis should be tight and grammatically correct, unlike this quickly written blog.
Beth Anderson’s article about the subject says we should write our synopsis as an outline, before our books. Oops.
Most agree that the synopsis should not be about clever lines, but express the whole story instead. It should be short descriptions of the actions, or stumbling blocks, which lead the character to overcome their main issue—and there must be a main issue.
So, how short is short?
Some blogs say to write a three page synopsis, while others vary. What have you found is needed? Also, I'd like to see a good sample from an editor. I've seen some samples, but they vary. Should we title it to the agent we are going to query? Does it need our information on the upper-left corner?
To move on, Beth Anderson once wrote, "But embellish it with action, not description.”
That means that agents and editors want the very bare amount of description possible in a synopsis, wanting to get the meat of our story quickly. For example:
Bob got mad at bill for stealing his job. Following Bill home, he slid inside his enemy’s house. When no one looked, Bob stole Bill’s cookies from his otherwise impenetrable refrigerator. Bill got upset when he got home, seeing Bob run.
He chased Bob for his cookies, but fell into traps all over Bob’s house. Every time Bob sat to eat the cookies, Bill almost gets them back with an amazingly harebrained invention. One such invention turns out unexpected, creating a stove that can cook food ten times as fast without burning anything. In the end, the two became friends.
Bob ate the cookies and became happy while Bill created a new cookie factory. They worked together and everyone loved the new store. The end.
Of course, editors and agents want nothing with a plot-line that bad. But I wonder: Is that really the type of description they want?
I’d like to go into this the right way, as I’m sure you would. So you have any good research or ideas to share? Do you know of a good sample?
Also, blogs say to describe what your story is about in one sentence. They say it should be the first sentence of your synopsis. Can it be a concept? For example, can I say my book is about a person coming to grips with the nature of man being evil?
Now, my novel isn’t about that; but it is about a deep philosophy that will leave readers wondering more than one question. 1984 may have told the story of a man who went to crazy lengths to get laid, but the underlining story, the essence of 1984, was so much more than that.
**Spoiler for 1984 alert—only next paragraph.
I guess, if someone had to sum 1984 up in one sentence, it could be: When a depressed man in dystopian world tries to fight what society gives him, he finds that love does not conquer all, and that big brother truly can take everything. Now, I’m no Orwell, but that sentence might get attention. It could be incorrect, as some would argue that it was not love, but desperate loneliness that led Winston to cling to the first thing that touched him.
We are warned against fancy writing. What would Orwell have written as his summary sentence? What other books would be hard to describe in one sentence? Give it a try.
So, what advice do you have? Write a blog about it and link it, if you can. Also, please post your link with your comments. I appreciate everyone taking the time to read this,
Draven Ames
6 comments:
I have no advice because I am too chicken to tackle a novel (not to mention I have no ideas long enough for a novel), but wish you best of luck with yours. :-)
Oh, the synopsis. I chew right through my pen when I think about it. I find them such a challenge, particularly in terms of length. The wisdom seems to be that you should really stick to just a couple of pages, but of course we always think we've got so much that HAS to go in because it's VITALLY important. We're often told not to worry so much about them, but it's easier said than done!
I have written my synopsis over, many, many times, but I am fairly happy with the newest one. Synopsis writing is not easy! Difficult to put 200 plus pages on 2 or 3, and still give a accutate potrayal of the novel!
The dreaded synopsis. I have yet to write one I am truly pleased with and have never sent anything out to an agent with a synopsis.
I agree with Wanda, summing up 2 to 300 pages into a sentence of even a page or two is tough. I suppose the best bet might be to have a beta-reader or friend read the manuscript and tell you what it's about. See what they have to say and if that matches with what you have. Sometimes an outside opinion can open the whole world.
I'm wishing you the best!
Honestly, what agents and editors want to see varies based on the agent and editor. Your best bet is to look at how they describe a synopsis in their submissions guidelines, and to tweak yours to match each time.
Pain in the butt? Yes. But it'll get you closer to getting an agent or a publisher if you do so, trust me. We like to see that you've read our guidelines and followed them.
For my part, I like to see a quick, yet detailed, summary of a story. For me, the query is the slam-bang pitch - you're selling me on the novel, basically writing your own jacket copy or cover blurb.
The synopsis, however, is a summary of the book. Do not wow me with fancy language. Do not pitch me the book. Just write out what the book is about, in short clear sentences, and let me know all the major points. Don't tease, don't hide things. A synopsis, to me, should basically be an outline and a summary all rolled into one...something that lets me "read" the book in about two pages.
Sheri - Thank you. I'll take the luck!
Amie - Thank you for the response, sorry I was late to respond. I like your response. Each seems different, so we just have to research. It will be fun to do this, I think.
Wanda - Did yours get accepted? Keep me up to date! Intrigued.
Judy - I will definitely be getting my wife's opinion. She is the only one I am letting read my book before it goes out. She is honest when something doesn't work and finds the 'chunky' sentences. Getting an outside opinion AND being humble is the key, IMO.
Be objective when you receive a critique.
Kate- What can I say? Thank you so much for stopping by. I love getting a real answer, straight from the horse's mouth. When I do write my synopsis, I will listen to your advice.
I don't mind researching each agent at all. I relish it, to be honest. We get a chance to figure out a way to break into one of the hardest businesses in the world. If we can't do that, we probably can't write. This is the best writers challenge we could ever ask for!
The query letter is ready, I believe. The synopsis, not so much. I've been busy reading, editing and resting my neck. Luckily, there is no hurry. The publishing world will be there.
Well, there is the whole economy thing...
Draven Ames
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