Writing a Synopsis to Sell
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By Diane E. Samson
Most writers would confess that they’d rather write another novel than have to write the dreaded synopsis, a summary of the novel that agents and publishers often want to see along with sample chapters.
Just mention the word and many writers cringe as their minds race with questions. How long should it be? What should I include? How can I fit the important parts in without it sounding boring?
Susan Vaught, an author with four young adult novels in print and two on the way out this year, shared her thoughts on writing an excellent synopsis at a recent conference in Kansas City. Her young adult novel, Stormwitch, won the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2006.
A synopsis, she says, is a short story about your book. It should be written with a beginning, middle and end with your style and in your voice. Before you begin, think about your book’s setting, voice or character. Which stands out the most? This is the element that should guide your synopsis.
As you look at your manuscript, the first three chapters should set up your problem. This is act one. You should have impacted your reader and enticed them to read on to the journey, act two. The journey leads to the ending, act 3.
Break your story down in this way. Then write your synopsis following this guide, aiming for one to three pages. Make sure the text flows from sentence to sentence.
Here are some things to include:
1. Main character
2. Antagonist
3. One or two proper names
4. One or two place names
5. The ending
If you don’t want to sell your book, says Vaught, don’t include the ending. Don’t try to tease editors with an incomplete or unresolved ending. Using gimmicks makes your synopsis scream, “I’m a novice!”
With this model, you should be able to write a compelling synopsis that editors will buy.
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