Since last month I delved into what an excerpt is, and shared one from my own manuscript, I thought today I would get into the Synopsis! In general, a synopsis is a summary or outline of anything: play, movie, tv show, the accident you had last week… But I want discuss book synopses, and specifically, how to write them. Before you can query your book, you HAVE to write a synopsis. And that’s where it gets difficult.

When I outlined my first book, I had no clue what I was doing. I had a clear picture in my head of characters and the world, and what they were trying to accomplish. I didn’t have an ending or a background in English Lit. I studied History and Education in college! What I did have was 20+ years of loving and reading every book I could get my hands on. The downside is that I hate synopses because I feel like they give too much of the plot away! If you don’t catch me in the first half of your synopsis (When I stop reading), I’m not going to read the book. But how do they summarize 60,000-120,000 words into one-two paragraphs?

If you think someone at the publisher has this job, you would be wrong. It’s your job, as the writer, to summarize your own work so you can sell it! Ironically, after I had written and re-written my synopsis at least a dozen times, with different lengths depending on Agent requirements, I found this site by Mark Gilks: How to Write a Synopsis. While I couldn’t use it for my manuscript, I could use it for my writing in progress. And now you can use it!

After you have gone trough your original outline, writing down key points, and possibly following Gilks instructions to write something from every chapter, you should have a lot of information left to summarize. That’s when I suggest looking at the comps (yes, like in real estate, I watch a lot of HGTV). If you see what successful books in your genre do, you can emulate that in your own story. Is that plagiarism? Of course not! Your story is your own. But, you can see what some successful books that you have enjoyed include and leave out. If you haven’t read successful books in the genre you’re writing, start now. Call it homework, but it is a must!

Now you have a rough outline, share it with people! See if they ask questions. And don’t sigh dramatically because they would understand if they just read your book. The whole point is to explain just enough to draw them in. For instance:

In a post-apocalyptic world, Elise craves an adventurous life beyond her safe home. Outside lies the danger of radiation poisoning, but also opportunity. Elise lives in the West Community building in Dystopian Denver, but dreams of moving to the Royal Palace as an adviser. What she doesn’t dare hope for, becoming the next Timekeeper Queen, may be a possibility. On her seventeenth birthday, Elise is chosen for the Timekeeper Trials. She will be able to travel back in time.

Leaving her family and best friend Ames behind, Elise is isolated and worried about assimilating to her new life. After making a new friend in fellow competitor Suzy, and meeting Prince Leo, Elise starts to feel like she can fit in and accomplish anything. But as the trials get harder and the royals get meaner, Elise doubts her capabilities. The Queen’s daughter makes it her personal mission to keep Elise under her thumb so she that she can be the next queen herself. Elise rises above the adversity, for the thrill of time travel and to reach her full potential.

Leaving the safety of the community causes her to panic and reveal her weaknesses to those who most want to stop her, including the Queen. Elise discovers that she can overcome her fears and find strength from within, so long as she stays focused. The Queen tempts Elise to stay away from the Prince and keep quiet about her own subterfuge by giving her information on her biological parents. Elise continues to the more difficult trials, but she begins to learn that there are truths yet to be uncovered. 

Do you want to read more? Good, I’m trying to find an agent! That was the result of a dozen edits and much feedback. It includes the main character, her age, her setting, her wants, needs, and struggle, as well as a bit of the plot. Let’s compare it to the synopsis of my manuscript that has had no feedback:

When 18-year-old Nery meets the cute new boy, Hart, she finds out there is more to her than just being adopted and living in a small town. He knows about the leaf-shaped birthmark on her thigh. Nery learns she is from a line of Native American little folk who are in tune to the magic of the natural world. Not only that, she also comes from a long line of Irish Faeries who rule the Seelie court.

Hart searched for years to find Nery, and she must trust him when he tells her about her past. Nery meets her real family the same week she graduates high school, without telling anyone but her best friend where she is going. Before she can come to terms with what she is, Nery is set on a journey by her Grandma, the Clan Mother. Nery and Hart must go on a quest across North America to find tribal items of power. Someone is trying to steal it and they are the same group responsible for the death of Nery and Hart’s parents. If they fail, all native tribes will loose their magic.

Since I haven’t written the last two chapters, I can’t even say for certain I know the ending! But the whole point is to start somewhere. Even if you are going to self-publish, this is an essential step. Go forth and synopsize! If that’s not a word yet, I claim it. And hey share your synopsis in the comments!