Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The dreaded synopsis





Many authors would rather write a 50,000 word book than a two-page synopsis. The trick is to encompass all the main points of the story, but very briefly. This means including the plot spoilers and resolution as well. Your agent/publisher/editor needs to know these things and they are the people who read the synopsis.
How to write a synopsis.
Read chapter one. Now write down what happens in two or three sentence—no more than that—just the main points.
Read chapter two. Write down what happens in two or three sentences—no more than that—just the main points.
When you have done this for all the chapters, read your synopsis. Is there an important event or character you haven’t mentioned? If so add them in at the correct place. Otherwise all you need to do now is type, “Synopsis” at the top of the page.
See, that wasn’t so hard.

Helen Woodall
helen.woodall@gmail.com

Helen is available to line edit and/ or content edit fiction and non-fiction. Rates on application.

2 comments:

barbara huffert said...

Makes me cringe just reading the word.

Helen Woodall: Freelance Editing said...

Be brave! You can do it!
Helen