Ready, Set, Write

Because few things are as frustrating as writing the synopsis, I am sharing this little gem so that I can commit it to memory. Or so I hope.

First, a few "rules." A synopsis is written in third person present tense, even if the novel is not. The goal is to show an agent you know how to plot, convey conflict and stakes, and resolve the story in a satisfying way. You want to show your story and make it active, but a certain amount of telling is necessary due to the nature of the synopsis.

There are usually sixish or so major moments in your story. The set pieces. The stuff that makes up the turning points of the story. Like so:

Opening Scene
Inciting Event
Act One Crisis
Act Two Revelation
Midpoint Reversal
Climax
Wrap Up

Opening Scene:

Introduces the protag and the world and provides a taste of why this person is different or special enough to entice someone to read about them. Try to stick to one paragraph.

The Inciting Event:

The trigger that sets the story in motion. This paragraph covers this event and why it matters. Motivation is very important to show what drives the story and why.

Act One Crisis:

This is when things go horrible, horribly wrong. Your protag has jusst discovered he/she has a big problem and needs to solve it or else. One or two paragraphs should suffice. Don't forget your stakes to demonstrate how problems escalate. Protag had a problem, but now things are much, much worse. Aiiiy.

Act Two Revelation:

Protag has done some digging and discovered things are not what they seem. A secret is revealed that makes it clear that he/she is in way over his/her head. But he/she has no choice but to go forward (say why). Or else (stakes are upped again). Again, one paragraph.

Midpoint Reversal:

Send the story sideways in the middle for a twist. Just when the reader thinks he/she knows where the story is going, surprise. One paragraph to show the world being turned upside down, forcing them to act in a way they swore they never would, or believed they couldn't.

Act Three Disaster:

The race to the climax. Protag has a plan to save the day, but fails miserably. Now he/she is so much worse off now than he/she thought he/she could ever be. Epic fail. One paragraph to show how stakes have risen yet again. A good spot to show how protag feels about it as well, since this will usually demonstrate what they're willing to risk to win.

Climax:

Final showdown with the big baddie. Protag has to face down who or whatever has been making them miserable for 300 pages and because they learned XYZ over the course of the book, they win by a truly stunning and surprising ploy. One or two paragraphs on how it ends and everything is resolved.

Wrap Up:

The happily ever after. Or the burning apocalypse if that's what your into. Tell what the protag will do now that they've saved the day. One paragraph to tie it all up. If there's a moral or something the protag should have learned in the story, this is a good spot to sum it up.

This format will provide a one or two page synopsis. Get it down, then tweak as needed to tighten your masterpiece. Also, have someone else read it. A fresh pair of eyes is a great help.

Name only the key players, capitalizing the protag's the first time it's mentioned. Allow the synopsis to marinate to give you perspective. When you come back to it, those pesky awkward sentences and goofs you glossed over will pop on the page.

Now, write like the wind. WHOOSH!