The dreaded SYNOPSIS!!! OH NO!!!

This is from a compilation of sites I have found and use regularly for help. They include some of my favorite sites, and I am including a link to a few of them but this is by no way an inclusive list of where I have gotten help.

Brooklyn Arden:
Editorial Anonymous:
Author! Author!

And, just about every other list on my links list.

I put the following together from my list of things to do right when compiling the dreaded synopsis.

First, I know that you need several variations.
There is the logline (1 or 2 lines, as you would read in TV Guide)
A paragraph to include in your query letter, which may be altered depending on the agent you send it to.
Then there is the standard one to two page Synopsis that will probably be requested.
And, the perhaps four to eight page synopsis that you may be requested to provide.

I started on the long synopsis, thinking it would be easy to go to the short one, but I am now thinking that it may be easier to work from the logline up. I am not sure yet.

MY CHECK LIST FOR SYNOPSIS: (from a lot of sources)

THIS IS FROM FAQ (the members of the Del Rey Digital Writing Workshop's first synopsis focus group (August-September '01).
Start: With a one/two-sentence summary encapsulating "what the story is about"
Then: establish the setting and identify the main characters.
Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
Ending: give it away. Never leave the editor guessing.

That is as concise as I have seen and what do you leave out?

Start by leaving out almost everything not mentioned above, except you must not forget that the point of the synopsis is to entice an editor/agent into requesting your full manuscript. Your synopsis should be able to stand alone. Look at it as if you were writing a short story or telling a child a five to ten minute bedtime story.

Avoid including any character unless they are absolutely essential to the plot. Too many names can be confusing and you want everything clear. You want them to see where you are going with this clever plot you have created.

You also want your world to come alive, so you need to drop bits about that, especially if it is fantasy.

While you want the synopsis to WOW them, REMEMBER, they are reading for content and not really savoring your style. So, write for clarity so that they can see where your plot is going.

Next post, proper synopsis formatting and excitement!