The Dos and Don'ts of Writing a Synopsis

Perhaps the most despised part of writing, even more so than writing the novel itself, is writing the synopsis. You may have just perfected a 100,000-word novel, but writing a synopsis is a whole different kettle of fish. Trying to summarise a whole novel in less than 1,000 words might feel like a daunting task, but it’s an important part of the process and actually has some benefits outside its use to land agents and publishers. This blog intends to list the dos and don’ts of writing a synopsis and provide tips on how to write a synopsis that best reflects your novel.

What Is a Synopsis?

A synopsis is a short – around one page – summary of your novel that outlines all the major plot points, twists and the ending. Publishers and agents will usually ask for a synopsis, so they can see how your novel plays out and decide whether they want to take it on. While your synopsis is not the only deciding factor, it is an important part of the submission process, and you want to put your best foot forward.

The Dos

· Keep it simple.

· Write 500 to 800 words or 1 to 2 pages.

· Tell the whole story. Agents and publishers need to see how the story unfolds and that the story has a satisfying ending.

· Include the main plot points (inciting incident, rising action, climax, resolution).

· Write in the third person regardless of your story’s POV.

· Write in the present tense.

· Show your character’s motivations.

· Follow the order of your novel. I have a blog on synopsis structure if you need help.

The Don’ts

· Use subheadings. Your synopsis should not have any breaks.

· Tell the agent how great the book is. You won’t get an agent like that.

· Discuss your novel’s themes. This isn’t the place for that.

· Cram in all the subplots. Focus on the main plot.

· Write badly. You still need to showcase your writing.

· Talk about too many characters. Three to five is ideal, but seven is the maximum.

· Provide too much detail about worldbuilding or background.

· Miss the agent’s word count by a mile.

· Make it too complicated. Your synopsis needs to be understood by a complete stranger quickly.

· Avoid the passive voice.

· Be too vague.

How To Format Your Synopsis

While there is no standard template, there are some standards you should follow:

· Choose a recognisable file name and a common format.

· Put your title at the top and then your genre (centre).

· Structure your synopsis in paragraphs, with a blank line between paragraphs.

· Put the character names in bold or caps the first time you mention them.

· Use font size 10 to 12.

· Use 1.5 to double spacing.

· Use standard margins.

· Justify text.

· Use Times New Roman unless otherwise specified.

The aim is to make your synopsis as readable as possible. Some acquisitions editors receive hundreds of synopses a week, so they appreciate a well-formatted document that doesn’t hurt their eyes.

Most publishers/agents have guidelines for submission. Read through them and follow them as much as possible. If you don’t format it in the way they’re asking, they may be less likely to take the time to read your submission.

Conclusion

A synopsis is a short summary of your novel that outlines the whole story. Agents and publishers use synopses to decide whether they want to take on your novel. It’s not the only deciding factor, but it is important. So, take your time when writing a synopsis. You don’t want to do your novel an injustice by summarising it poorly. But, also, don’t stress about it. Remember, you know your novel better than anyone, so you are in the best place to write your novel. If in doubt, reach out to an editor who can help you polish your synopsis.