{"id":19152,"date":"2018-05-25T13:33:40","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T20:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=19152"},"modified":"2018-05-22T22:16:38","modified_gmt":"2018-05-23T05:16:38","slug":"writing-a-synopsis-an-editor-will-read-by-kay-keppler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/25\/writing-a-synopsis-an-editor-will-read-by-kay-keppler\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing a Synopsis an Editor Will Read by Kay Keppler"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Writing<\/a> Let\u2019s\u00a0welcome\u00a0back monthly columnist, editor, and novelist,\u00a0Kay Keppler<\/a>, as she shares with us \u201cWriting a Synopsis an Editor Will Read.\u201d\u00a0Enjoy!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Have you tried writing a synopsis?<\/strong> Do you hate it? You\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

The synopsis is probably the single most hated document for authors to write, but we do it because publishers and agents usually demand it.<\/p>\n

The synopsis requires that you tell the entire narrative arc of your book from beginning to end, in 500 or 600 words, and make it interesting. That\u2019s tough.<\/p>\n

Why bother? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Agents and editors want to see that you can plot. Does your story make sense? Are your characters\u2019 actions consistent, is the arc compelling and your structure solid?<\/p>\n

A synopsis reveals these problems\u2014and also reveals how fresh your story is.<\/p>\n

If they\u2019ve read it before a million times, they may not bother to go further with yours.<\/p>\n

The good news: Industry pros usually don\u2019t expect miracles.\u00a0Keep it simple. You\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n

Getting started<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Your synopsis should tell the kernel of your story, no more. Keep the focus on your protagonist. Identify him or her, the conflict, and the setting by the end of the first paragraph. Add the stakes. Include what drives that conflict, and how your protagonist handles it. Finally, reveal the ending. Tell how the conflict is resolved and how your character changes as a consequence.<\/p>\n

If you do all that in a couple of pages, you won\u2019t have much room for anything else. Most or all of your other characters except for your villain will have to be left out. Same for your subplots.<\/p>\n

Anything or anyone that doesn\u2019t affect the story outcome should be excluded. But if the synopsis doesn\u2019t make sense without including that secondary character, then keep him in. State if you\u2019re writing genre fiction, and include all the major turning points associated with that formula.<\/p>\n

Give it some juice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the synopsis must clearly detail the broad strokes of your plot in a short space, try to bring your story to life. Include your character\u2019s emotions.<\/p>\n

Think in terms of how you\u2019d structure a scene: start with the incident (your plot point), then add your character\u2019s feelings (reaction), then describe the decision and story action. (So, this happened, Hero got mad, decided to act, then did something.)<\/p>\n

Avoid common synopsis pitfalls<\/strong><\/h2>\n

First rule: Always stick to the basics.<\/strong><\/p>\n