A Synopsis

[kitsune_boy389]

Can someone tell me what a synopsis is. Is it a rundown of the whole story or just what you'd call the blerb? If it's neither, can you give me an example.

[j. d. worthington]

It's a condensed statement or outline of a narrative, giving the main points of plot. Literally it means "comprehensive view" (Late Latin from Greek)

And this should probably be moved over into Aspiring Writers, I think...

[Culhwch]

What JD said.

A blurb is a little different, in that it is geared toward drawing a reader in - that is, to give a taste, but keep the mystery.

[SJAB]

You have to condense the main story line (not all the sub-plots) down into one to three pages,(leaving no main points out, even the ending) depending on what the agent/publisher requests in their submission details.

The trick is to get that story line as clear as you can without swamping it with details. Some agents ask for a 250 or a 500 word summary of your plot. You have to make it interesting, yet with no teasers.

A blurb, as said before, is to tempt the reader in, bit like a hook. See Miss Snark's blog for details on hooks, production of.

In all honesty I would rather write a 100,000 word novel than a synopsis.

[the_faery_queen]

they are difficult. people want different lengths, it has to sound interesting and so on

i actually fouind the cover letter far harder, though.