You’ve completed your story and sent out queries! 

An agent or publishing company has asked for a synopsis of your manuscript. They wanna see if this is sellable, intriguing, something they want to go forward with. 

You have the dreaded job of writing that synopsis, breaking down your giant WIP into its most crucial bones. 

An insurmontable task? 

Not so when you understand the structure that you need to follow.

In this blog post, I’ll be sharing with you some of the key techniques to write a synopsis that will maintain the agents’ attention and have them asking to read your complete manuscript!

The goal? To make synopsis writing an easy process.

Let’s dive in!

Your synopsis is an extremely short story with all of the fluff removed.

It’s not the plot or action per se that is intriguing to readers but rather your characters.

Characters drive your story forward. So, with that in mind, your hook will begin with a focus on introducing your main character.

A synopsis needs to capture the core struggle of your story – your character’s internal conflict.

Not the giant war they’re fighting or getting fired from their job.

It’s the unique crosspoint between their internal and external conflict. Why does it matter to them?

To determine how to clearly express your main character’s internal conflict, ask yourself these two questions:

1. What is my main character’s goal/ desire? Why?
2. What is the fear or misbelief that they have which bars them from accomplishing this goal?

This is the information you’ll share upfront as you describe in one or two sentences the main character that the readers will follow and why they are the right character’s point of view for the job.

Remember, if your synopsis feels scattered rather than streamlined then the agents will assume that your manuscript is the same.

This is not the place to be vague. Clarity is your friend!

Hook crisp and complete? Excellent! Let’s continue.

A story can be divided into 3 acts.

You can do much the same with your synopsis. 

By reviewing the 3 act story structure within your manuscript you can tease out the pertinent plot points from each act. 

This is a time to only focus on what impacts the main character and what is necessary for the readers to understand the entire story.

If it’s a side quest that when removed doesn’t change what occurs next, then it’s probably not necessary.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll usually find within each act of your story. 

Use these as guide posts to fill in the information needed for your work in progress.

Your hook tends to flow seamlessly into act one.

If you didn’t introduce your main character’s goal and motivation within the hook now is the time to do so! 

With their goal fresh in mind, it’s time to express the inciting incident.

Ask yourself: 

1. What significant event happens that challenges their goal?
2. What’s at stake for your main character?
3. What motivates them to take action?

This is the journey you’re taking your readers on. The great challenge that pushes your MC out of their comfort zone and incites a story to continue. 

Remember, stick to the main plot. No subplots here.

Keep it streamlined!

It’s time to emphasize the major obstacles that your protagonist will face. 

What stops them from achieving their goal?

And, every time that they think they’re making progress towards its completion, what sets them back?

Don’t forget that the story is about your character, not the external plot points. 

So, while there may be external events that are challenging them, always refocus on their internal fears or misbeliefs. 

How do those keep getting in the way of their goal?

This is the time to introduce other essential characters (antagonists, sidekicks etc.)

But, keep it tight.

We don’t need to know about everyone in the story. Two to Three additional characters are probably enough.

The characters you spotlight within the synopsis should have a great influence on the MC’s journey.

They might teach them a lesson, challenge their goals or fears or mirror a huge plot point.

Keep the focus on how each piece of information escalates the plot.

Ask yourself: How does this event influence what comes next?

If it doesn’t, cut it out!

inIn this pared-down story, you’ve expressed the major obstacles that your MC faces and described how it’s their fears which influence their failures. 

Now, it’s time to share the conclusion of your manuscript. Yes, you’ll be giving away the ending here.

Why?

Because the agents need to ensure that it seems reasonable, not a cop-out. They want to analyze the story’s flow from beginning to end.

Your goal is to show how the main character transforms both internally and externally. 

Even if in the end they don’t achieve their goal, a three-dimensional character will have learned something along the way and perhaps have a new goal in mind. 

Don’t over-explain here. Clearly and concisely demonstrate your character’s evolution throughout the story.

Say it with me… story is about the character’s journey, not external events!

Keep focused right to the end.

Tip # 1: Stick to the Main Plot. Your synopsis is not the place for every side plot and character. Tease out what matters most.

Tip # 2: Write in Third Person, Present Tense. It doesn’t matter what tense your manuscript is written in, unless your agents provide you with certain guidelines, this is pretty standard.

Tip # 3: Consider the Cause-and-Effect Process of Key Events. How did the previous event cause what happens next? How are the character’s journey and decisions affected by it? Keep this in mind as you craft your synopsis.

Tip # 4: Use Simple, Clear Language. While you’ll want to express your unique writer’s voice in your synopsis (after all if it reads dry then they’re probably gonna pass), this isn’t the time for flowery descriptions and over-the-top world-building. Focus on the need to know.

Tip # 5: Always Check for Agent & Publisher Requirements. They’ll want a clear overview of your story and your character’s transformation while avoiding unnecessary details. How long do they want it to be? Give them what they want.

Tip # 6: Spend Time Polishing Your Synopsis. You’ve invested so much time into your manuscript. Your synopsis deserves the same care. Revise and edit it. Have a trusted friend read it over. Fresh eyes can determine if a glaring plot hole needs further explanation. 

There you have it! A blueprint for writing that synopsis for your agent or publisher.

I always find a handy outline to be a helpful way to complete any new task, so I’ve broken down the key parts of a synopsis for you with the reflection questions.

Download it below and use it to plan out your synopsis!

Talk soon!

Julia