Or, How to Make Yourself Purely Insane…

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I think the synopsis is one of the hardest parts about novel writing. And judging from the whining I hear, I’m not alone. So how do you do the dreadful deed? Let’s boil it down. Maybe it will go down softer that way.

1. Are you writing a synopsis for a particular agent or editor? Find out what format they want, because it differs widely. Many agent websites specify what they want in a synopsis. If they don’t, email them if you dare.

2. Now for the long part: Write one or two sentences about EVERY SCENE in your book. You might even discover unnecessary scenes by going through this process–bonus for you. No matter what tense or viewpoint your story uses, write these sentences in 3rd person, present tense. Brace yourself. This step takes TIME.

3. Smooth and connect these sentences, adding motivations. Don’t just say what happened. Say why and what the ramifications are for the character. Use the same voice your book uses–formal, chatty, gritty, etc.  Format this with single spacing, double space between paragraphs, as in a business letter.

4. Cut and condense until your document is at the length required in #1.

5. Take a nap.