Synopsis - questions

[Teatime]

Hi all,

I am in the process of writing my synopsis, one page of A4.

I have read and been told a variety of things on this topic. Some people say 'make it like the blurb on a back of the book, but say the ending as well,' some say 'just stick to the point'... others say 'write it in the style the book is written,' (eg. chatty) others say, well, 'stick to the point'. (I'm inclined to stick to the point and leave the sample chapters demonstrate the style - I don't trust some of these internet sites that claim to be authorities on writing synoposes!)

I guess I have some basic questions:
Double spaced or single spaced? And what size font?

Generally I can see this being double spaced, size 12 font. But when it comes to a one page synopsis, the example I've been given (by a good London writer's charity that helps people get published) is a smaller font size, and single spaced - presumably because it is one page long. Is this about right?

Thanks a lot,

Jon

[Teresa Edgerton]

Don't go with a smaller font, that will make it harder to read. Single-spaced should be fine (unless the person you're sending it to tells you otherwise) -- the synopsis is to be read, not marked up by an editor.

Rather than repeat what I've said elsewhere about what goes in the body of the synopsis, I'll just direct you here:
Rumblings (and Ramblings) at Madeline's -- JANUARY 2008
(It's part way down the page.)

Anyway, this is how I write a synopsis, and it's been successful for me.

[Teatime]

Thanks, I had a look at your post before actually Though I have been told that I shouldn't 'tease' the reader in the synopsis - I should state what happens clearly (rather than not 'give away all your secrets,' as you phrase it). But I guess if it works for you...

So it's 'no' to an 11 point font?
What would you recommend in terms of left/right margin size?

And is it necessary to explain secondary characters' motivations and conflicts, or should I describe these people in terms of the main character? It seems almost impossible to fit to in one page otherwise!

[chopper]

Hello Teatime

while I can't say what's right & what's wrong, my persoanl view on a synopsis is that you should only focus on the main characters & events. obviously fantasy & sf novels have got longer and longer across recent years, and - for instance - you can't imagine fitting a synopsis for (random example) A Game Of Thrones on a single side of A4.

If I can make one or two sentences describe a whole chapter, that'll do. Something like "pursued by Astal's mercenarys, John flees to Eastport with Aelia and the Mark and is wounded during a skirmish in the woods. Meanwhile Shay prepares for the Kinsmeet as the first of the Fifths arrive, and has to fend off unwanted advances from the three sons of Ramall Pierneef, Fifth of Ce'Meil." That's a good fifty-odd pages in two sentences.

I have a new idea that won't let me sleep that also refuses to become a synopsis....when it does, I'll let you know how long it is...

Good luck

s

[Teresa Edgerton]

There is a difference between "teasing" the reader -- that is, being coy about things you should state outright, or dropping hints about things you're not going to explain -- and giving away every last detail of your plot. Write a coherent narrative leading up to a clear resolution, but leave some things for the agents and editors to discover when they read the actual book.

For instance, say the story involves the search for a missing heirloom. Finally, in the second to the last chapter, the main character finds a clue to its whereabouts in a faded letter in her grandmother's attic. If the author of the letter is supposed to be a surprise, you don't have to give it away. But you should mention the letter, what clue it contains, what she does as a result, and whether or not she finds the heirloom. (Teasing the reader would be something like "in her grandmother's attic she finds a tantalizing clue which sends her on an unexpected journey and the surprising conclusion of her search.")

Only describe secondary characters' motivations and conflicts where they have a significant impact on the main plot.

And the margins are generally the same for a synopsis as for a manuscript: 1 or 1.25 inches.

[Teatime]

Thanks. So as for secondary characters, say two characters -with their motivations and personalities - join the main character for part of his journey. Is it OK to essentially state 'he is joined by X and Y', without really explaining what they're after and their own motivations? In other words, would an agent assume that those motivations are there without me explaining them?
It seems a little sparse, but in the interests of space....

[John Jarrold]

And different editors and agents want different lengths of synopsis. As a freelancer before I set up my agency, I worked editorially on a synopsis for a three-book series that was ten pages long. So, as always, if that isn't stated, just ask.

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by Teatime

Thanks. So as for secondary characters, say two characters -with their motivations and personalities - join the main character for part of his journey. Is it OK to essentially state 'he is joined by X and Y', without really explaining what they're after and their own motivations? In other words, would an agent assume that those motivations are there without me explaining them?
It seems a little sparse, but in the interests of space....

No one can tell you exactly how to write a synopsis at this level of detail, any more that a forum can tell you exactly how to write a novel. Experiment. Take your time. Don't look for a shortcut to gaining knowledge - basically, it's going to come with hard work.

[Teatime]

I understand that. But I also believe it is a question of knowing what people are after, and that requires talking to people who know more about this industry than I do (as well as the people I will be submitting to themselves). Especially since I only really get one shot with each agency I submit to.

[John Jarrold]

Yes, as I say, you'll find that different people want different things, so it might be worth writing synopses of different lengths (maybe three, six and ten pages), then precising the longer ones into one page. That way you're pretty well prepared whatever they ask for!

[Teatime]

Yep, though the main one, I think, will be the one page version (at least, the impression I've gotten is the shorter and conciser, the better - ten billion manuscripts received per second etc.).

Incidentally, when I'm writing a covering letter, would people recommend putting in a sentence or so about why I like this agency in particular? There are some agencies that look like they would really suit me (their mission statement looking for 'unique' novels, for example).

Thanks.

[John Jarrold]

By all means say 'I saw your website, etc'...and 'your authors' or 'the comments you make about...' appeal to me.

[Pete Rebb]

All the authors I've spoken to dislike writing them, but, they all understand the importance. Writing is a full-time job compressed into a few hours a day. Like anything, the harder you work, the better the results. The 1 page, 3 page, 5 page and 10 page, works well. Then, if the publisher would like a more detailed one, you don't have to hit the panic button and rush! Work, work, work, write, write, write, la, la, la.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Teatime

So as for secondary characters, say two characters -with their motivations and personalities - join the main character for part of his journey. Is it OK to essentially state 'he is joined by X and Y', without really explaining what they're after and their own motivations?

As I said, if their motivations impact the main plot, you should mention them. As for their personalities, you can often sum up a secondary character's personality -- such as it needs to be described in the synopsis -- in a couple of words.

With a one page synopsis, you really, really have to think hard about what is important. When the agent or editor asks for something longer, you have the opportunity to tell more, but you still have to be selective.

But not everyone hates writing synopses. I don't mind it at all. For some reason they never intimidated me. Maybe because when I wrote my first synopsis there was no internet, I didn't yet belong to a writers group, and there was no one telling me how hard it was going to be and how impossible to do it right. I read an article somewhere about how to do it, and I just did.

[John Jarrold]

Too right, Teresa. There is too much thinking and discussing and not enough action, sometimes!