Tips for Dealing with the Dreaded Synopsis

If you're among the majority of writers who loathe writing their manuscript synopsis, I hope I can impart some encouragement and motivation with today's post.

It's true that the condensed writing required for a synopsis uses very different skills than writing longform. But, I promise that you have what it takes. In fact, YOU are the BEST person to write your synopsis because you have the fullest vision of your work's purpose.

Before I get into my advice for making peace with the synopsis process, let's go over why a synopsis is so important:

• During the querying and submission process, you'll be asked to provide synopses of varying lengths. There's no getting around this, and it will benefit you to tackle it early because...
• While you are writing your synopsis, you may identify areas of your story structure that need to be modified. Consider this a chance to view your story from a distance to determine whether you have carried the thrust of your message throughout the whole manuscript, and whether it is organized to your liking.
• Writing a synopsis is a bit like deconstructing your story into an outline after the fact. It can help you discover the arc of the story and identify a clear 3 act structure.
• All of the above are important steps in the process of pinning down an "elevator pitch" to repeat when someone asks what your book is about. Being concise is difficult when you've written a robust manuscript, but it's essential to practice this if you want a captive, unweary audience.

 
​But what is an author to do when they feel that their copywriting chops are just not up to the task of paring their 200 page manuscript down into a back cover blurb, query letter, or even one page synopsis? Here are some tips:
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• Start Long - Go ahead and write down everything you feel the reader needs to know to get the full picture of your text. If that takes you ten pages, so be it. I hope it doesn't, because you won't like the next steps, but your brain might be happier starting with this longer format.
• Think critically about what the reader really needs to know to become interested in your book. The fluffy pet sidekick might be a wonderful addition to the reading experience, but does the story progress the same without mentioning him? Ask the same question about details you've included about setting, side-plots, etc.
• Trim, trim, trim! Cut and keep cutting until you have 1-2 pages. Now you're ready to really see the magic kick in.
• What stands out to you as the most exciting bits that you feel readers HAVE to know to see why your manuscript is different and important? Highlight those. They just might be your "hook."

Don't forget that a true synopsis reveals the ending. Obviously a shortened version, like a back cover blurb, will be vague, but just like your story, your synopsis needs a strong finish.

You might, like some authors I know and admire, even decide to begin with the synopsis when your next manuscript inspiration hits. A synopsis can be used in lieu of an outline if you are more of a "pantser" and don't mind modifying it as you go along.

​When you embrace the synopsis as a healthy part of the creative process, I hope you'll find that the outcome is so rewarding that you dread it less the next time you have to do it, and that you'll come to see the synopsis as more friend than foe.

by Anjanette Barr