Welcome to hell! I mean, welcome to learning how to write a synopsis.
The synopsis is definitely a writer’s immortal enemy because they are inevitable, always necessary, and always difficult. There’s really no way to ever avoid a synopsis because let’s say that an agent who requests your manuscript doesn’t ask for a synopsis…you will still have to provide on for when you go out on submission and then, for future books written.
So, why do writers HATE writing synopses so damn much? Because we’re talking about condensing an ENTIRE book into one single-spaced page WITH spoilers. It’s a lot of rewriting, a lot of cutting down, and takes multiple attempts to really get it down.
This is a simplified, quick guide on how to write your synopsis so let’s dive in.
The Basics of Your Synopsis
Let’s go over a simplified list of HOW to format your synopsis:
One full page (some agencies request 3-5 pages but MOST request one, it’s good to have options written)
Size 12
Times New Roman
Single Spaced
The Importance of a Synopsis
To tell an agent what your plot is and show off the stories development. It will help them to gauge the stakes, the plot, get a sense of the pacing, determine whether or not there’s a market for your story, and of course to see/understand the ending
What Goes Into It?
Typically when it comes to writing your synopsis, you need to go over the important details. Your MC, first and foremost. The agent/editor needs to know their first name, last name and their age. Moving on from there, provide a sense of place – where are they? What’s the town name?
Next we move into the inciting inciting incident i.e. what is currently happening/just happened when this story is starting (you want it to relate to the plot of the story, the purpose of why this is being written). If they moved, why did they move? If they’ve just been arrested, why?
Move onto the climax/rising action of your story i.e. when shit hits the fan! What goes wrong and what is your MC up against now? What do they stand to lose?
What is the crisis, quest, or steps they need to take to find a resolution. What are the hurtles that get in your MCs way?
Finally the ending. Your synopsis requires you to spoil EVERYTHING, spill the tea! What happens to your MC at the end of your story? Does it all work out in the end or is it meant to fall into a next book?
Some Quick Tips!
- When it comes to synopses try your hardest to keep it at two character names max i.e. your MC and their nemesis OR their love interest. This is of course different when you have a multi-POV or a really significant character that is another driving force of your story.
- You need to mention the important things that go on so long as it relates to your climax and resolution. An important character dies or they need to find something on their quest? Add it. They stop for breakfast at a local diner and ordered pancakes? Not needed.
- When introducing a character, especially an MC, capitalize their name and add their age in parenthesis. I’ll use my MC as an example: DELILA RAMOS (17).
- Stick to the important events, you don’t need to list every little thing that happens in each chapter or add any fluff stick to the key aspects of your story as they pertain to the plot.
- SPOIL IT ALL! The synopsis is the place for spoilers, the query is not.
- When all else fails, write it all down and then cut it back and think about what is actually important to driving forth the stakes of your plot
- Usually it’s okay if the synopsis runs a sentence or two over that one page mark but do your best not to.
- Have a few different versions of your synopsis ready. Some (most) agents ask for 1 page, others have asked for 3, others have asked for 5, which of course is a blessing to us over-explainers
- Try to write your synopsis before you start your book alongside the query letter. It gives you something to go off of PLUS when you’re finished, you can go back, adjust, and cut!
- Every agent is different, but the standard rule of thumb is to keep your synopsis limited to one page, single-spaced, with a space between each paragraph. Size 12, Times New Roman is the standard/safest option.
- really spell out those stakes for the reader but remember to only include the most important details. This WILL take you a few times to nail, you will get frustrated and trust me, I understand. ALL writers understand!
Editing Tales 
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