As you know, Kesia, I'm that rare breed of author who enjoys synopsisising – and maybe even rarer in that I often start with it! I think it has some strong advantages as a planning tool in that it helps you cultivate a sense of direction without being as restrictive as a chapter plan – then you later have a foundation for the 'manuscript summary' that a synopsis is usually seen to be, making it easier to hone.
Is this really individual to me, though? I'd love to know if any other authors work this way – or from authors who haven't worked this way before, but are now gonna give it a try...
I've had at least one other author take this approach, and I'm so glad it works for you. But I personally find that if I write a synopsis ahead of time, I just won't stick to it...! It sort of sucks the joy out of the whole thing... Worth a shot though for others though, to see if you're this kind of writer!
I have researched and written a narrative non-fiction 'work' around the story of England's most famous hermit, who boarded himself up in the family home and never left it for the next 25 years, preventing his siblings from gaining their inheritance. But it's 'finished' at 13,000 words. I'd love a few thousand extras if anyone has some to spare.
I believe a treatment is similar to a synopsis, and written before writing the entire movie script. I wonder if I can sell the story idea as a treatment for someone else to flesh out...
I definitely love a good plan, but it always ends up being quite a messy guide to where I want the story to go. How closely does your finished novel reflect the synopsis you started with?
How closely my finished stories reflect my pre-written synopses will vary from story to story. But it's not just about having a plan. For me, the synopsis is a holy trinity with my title and pitch.
Whenever I'm stuck, or my willpower is waning, I turn to these three to get me back on track with motivation. Remembering the purpose behind my writing is usually enough to fire me up again. $;-)
I was always hung up on the idea that a synopsis had to be brutally chronological and follow the events of the book.. and I love how yours isn't. That's revelatory.
Oooh glad to help - yes, you can break out of that strict chronological structure to simply describe the story, which really helps with keeping things streamlined!
I'd thought the same. My overarching feeling after reading the synopsis was "I need to read this book!" even though I now know what happens. I'd always seen the synopsis as a dry, descriptive text to give an indication of the plot, without really thinking too much about how you can use it to get an agent excited by the story (I know it's not a pitch, but still...)
Ahh thanks - I'm glad to have helped a little! Synopses can be quite dry, which is fine really - but it's even better if you get a sense of the voice of the story!
Thank you Kesia, that is so helpful. And the twists in your story?! Wow.
You specify the age of your characters in your synopsis - is it because it's YA and ages are more important, or do you recommend doing the same for adults?
I think it’s up to you when it comes to adult fiction. I see it much more often in children’s because it locates the story within the readership. For instance a middle-grade novel with characters who are 12 or 13 is likely to be upper middle-grade.
Excellent article, Kesia. Thank you so much for sharing your synopsis—it was incredibly helpful. I'm also going to the Writer's Day Workshop in Sacramento! I actually signed up to pitch you and Sandra Proudman.
Many thanks for this - your posts are always most helpful.
I've just sent a query to an agent who wants the synopsis to be 300 words. Reducing one from 500 was...umm...challenging. Less than I'd have ideally liked to include.
Thanks so much for writing this! I think my synopses are too brief. I've always shied away from writing the B-plot or going into too much detail, but now I understand more about the purpose (for selling abroad etc) - it makes perfect sense to give more. Back to the drawing board!
As you know, Kesia, I'm that rare breed of author who enjoys synopsisising – and maybe even rarer in that I often start with it! I think it has some strong advantages as a planning tool in that it helps you cultivate a sense of direction without being as restrictive as a chapter plan – then you later have a foundation for the 'manuscript summary' that a synopsis is usually seen to be, making it easier to hone.
Is this really individual to me, though? I'd love to know if any other authors work this way – or from authors who haven't worked this way before, but are now gonna give it a try...
I've had at least one other author take this approach, and I'm so glad it works for you. But I personally find that if I write a synopsis ahead of time, I just won't stick to it...! It sort of sucks the joy out of the whole thing... Worth a shot though for others though, to see if you're this kind of writer!
I have researched and written a narrative non-fiction 'work' around the story of England's most famous hermit, who boarded himself up in the family home and never left it for the next 25 years, preventing his siblings from gaining their inheritance. But it's 'finished' at 13,000 words. I'd love a few thousand extras if anyone has some to spare.
I believe a treatment is similar to a synopsis, and written before writing the entire movie script. I wonder if I can sell the story idea as a treatment for someone else to flesh out...
Or maybe the story could be a play.
I definitely love a good plan, but it always ends up being quite a messy guide to where I want the story to go. How closely does your finished novel reflect the synopsis you started with?
How closely my finished stories reflect my pre-written synopses will vary from story to story. But it's not just about having a plan. For me, the synopsis is a holy trinity with my title and pitch.
Whenever I'm stuck, or my willpower is waning, I turn to these three to get me back on track with motivation. Remembering the purpose behind my writing is usually enough to fire me up again. $;-)
I was always hung up on the idea that a synopsis had to be brutally chronological and follow the events of the book.. and I love how yours isn't. That's revelatory.
Oooh glad to help - yes, you can break out of that strict chronological structure to simply describe the story, which really helps with keeping things streamlined!
I'd thought the same. My overarching feeling after reading the synopsis was "I need to read this book!" even though I now know what happens. I'd always seen the synopsis as a dry, descriptive text to give an indication of the plot, without really thinking too much about how you can use it to get an agent excited by the story (I know it's not a pitch, but still...)
Ahh thanks - I'm glad to have helped a little! Synopses can be quite dry, which is fine really - but it's even better if you get a sense of the voice of the story!
That is what I will be aiming for from now on. A sense of the voice of the story!
Thanks for this! I'm in the query trenches right now. I'm going back to my synopsis to make sure I've done it right.
Glad to help and good luck!!
Love this. So timely. Thank you!
Thank you Kesia, that is so helpful. And the twists in your story?! Wow.
You specify the age of your characters in your synopsis - is it because it's YA and ages are more important, or do you recommend doing the same for adults?
I think it’s up to you when it comes to adult fiction. I see it much more often in children’s because it locates the story within the readership. For instance a middle-grade novel with characters who are 12 or 13 is likely to be upper middle-grade.
That's what I suspected. Thank you!
Excellent article, Kesia. Thank you so much for sharing your synopsis—it was incredibly helpful. I'm also going to the Writer's Day Workshop in Sacramento! I actually signed up to pitch you and Sandra Proudman.
Look forward to meeting you.
You’re welcome - and hurray! That’s exciting, looking forward to meeting you too.
Great tips. Much appreciated, Kesia.
Thanks for reading!!
Wow I love your synopsis. Could not stop reading and love the twists. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!!
This helped me see where my synopsis needs to differ from my query info - thank you.
Many thanks for this - your posts are always most helpful.
I've just sent a query to an agent who wants the synopsis to be 300 words. Reducing one from 500 was...umm...challenging. Less than I'd have ideally liked to include.
300!!! Never heard that one before!
My error...it is 300 words for the form submission direct to an Australian publisher (middle grade).
Breathe easier for agents :)
Thanks so much for writing this! I think my synopses are too brief. I've always shied away from writing the B-plot or going into too much detail, but now I understand more about the purpose (for selling abroad etc) - it makes perfect sense to give more. Back to the drawing board!
You'll get there! Thanks for reading, Mel :)