I remember the first time I had to write a synopsis--I was terrified! How in the world was I going to distill 400 pages into 5 pages? Or worse, gulp, 2 paragraphs for a query letter?
After the quivering terror settled into jelly shakes, I decided to use the reporter technique of: who, what, where, when, how and why.
WHO is my main character?
WHAT does this character want and WHAT stands in their way?
WHERE does this character’s struggle take place?
WHEN does this story take place?
HOW does this character overcome the conflict and HOW are they changed?
WHY should a reader/editor care?
Once you’ve answered these few questions you have the basic building blocks for your synopsis.
This is only one way to start. I would love for you to share your techniques for writing a query letter or a synopsis.
19 comments:
Hi Anitra, that is a good approach. And I've used that in a less structured way when writing a synopsis.
While I never had the jelly-shaking in my boots reaction. I certainly felt utterly overwhelmed, and lost in a cloud of confusion, at first.
However, I learned about a technique of writing a short description of each chapter. That really helped me organize how I wanted to write a synopsis.
The easiest way for me is to talk about the heroine, then the hero, then a short description of the story itself.
Often, the Happy Ever After is requested. So I will end with that, either a description or the final paragraph itself.
Writing a synopsis in that way keeps everything organized in my mind. If that makes sense...?
That sounds like a good way too. It sounds more chronological than the reporter way. :)
Well, Sav, thanks for commenting. Seems like it's just you and me for the last few days.
Hope you liked the little image. I thought it was funny because my technique seemed sorta obvious. So I am Master of The Obvious. :)
Yep, everyone's worn out from RT -- at least, from the reports I've read. Quite the partying dancing time.
Okay, now we can put our secret plan for world domination into action. And no one will ever know.
Got your secret decoder ring set?
Mine is blinking and I'm ready to go.
BWWHAHAHA!
Yes, now we can take over the world!
My decoder ring is blinking and buzzing up a storm. All we have to do is press them together--Wonder twins ACTIVATE! :)
Okay, but what are we going to do with the world when we take it over?
Hmm. Personally, I'd like more lazy days without a lot of demands on my time. So, I wanna take over the world, but in a laid-back way.
How about you? :)
We'll round up the cabana boys first. If nothing else, they can serve drinks and rub on lotion while we leisturely write poolside and decide on world policy.
Of course, no will know it's us pulling the robotic strings on all those black ops projects. Best to blame everything on the current world politics and politicians. Let 'em eat their own for awhile.
LOL! Yes, that's the way. We relax and sunbathe with loads of hunky guys while writing our tales and occasionally dictating world policy. That sounds like a world domination I can get into! :)
P.S. I want a young Scott Bakula to be my pool boy and I want to drink iced Lemon Zinger tea.
Cloning, my dear. I'm sure we can arrange a young Scott Bakula to your passion-exacting preference. Hey, talk about creating our heroes for real!
Real lemonade or cherry limeade with fizzy water.
Okay, so we take over the world with clones of whoever we like to serve us drinks of whatever kind we like and we write whatever we want. Wow! Sounds less like world domination and more like writer's heaven! :)
I can't believe other writers haven't joined us in such utopia!
Yeah, that's the writer's paradise ticket.
Pssst...it's supposed to be a secret...remember?
There can be only two. You and me.
Is there room for a minion, though? I could be a great assistant to the two world dominators. *grin* I should never have tried to read this at the circ desk. A patron caught me giggling.
I have been struggling with the pitch, actually. The synopsis I'm fairly comfortable with, but boiling it all down to a few sentences...
Evonne and I did get to go to the six step pitch workshop where Diana Whiteside showed us how to construct a pitch using powerpoint slides. If I remember right, you get six slides with five bullet points on each. I'll have to dig out the info.
Mel, minions as smart and adorable as you are always welcome at poolside, if nothing else someone has to keep the cabana boys in line.
Are you going to do a blog about the -- what is it? -- see I desperately require minion, super librarian assistance -- the powerpoint presentation?
I say we definitely let Mel in. She has secret librarian powers that could be very useful. :)
When you do find the info, be sure to share!
When Two agree, it has to be!
W00T! I'm in! I'm in! *evil minion cackle*
You know, I think I might e-mail Diane Whiteside and see if she'd guest blog about the process for us. I have the handouts, but she did such a great job!
Ah, Mel, our super librian, please do e-mail Ms. Whiteside and see if she'll grace our humble abode. Just don't tell her about our plan for world dominion.
Great idea, Mel. But yes, please do keep our secret plan secret. ;)
Mum's the word! :-)
Ah yes, I knew you had that super shushing action to keep thing quiet! (LOL, but I've always loved that librarian GIF you use!)
I think I'm going to do more posts with my "Master of the Obvious" GIF. I could have a whole series! :)
I can't even remember where I found that but I love it. It just cracks me up because the dude is sooooo serious looking when he is only the master of the obvious. :)
Post a Comment