The Mechanics of your Synopsis - part 2

Hey, you are a writer. You should know that everything needs to be formatted properly and that you need to be professional. BE PROFESSIONAL! Avoid the gimmicks, folks! No, pink flowery paper or eye popping graphics, or humongous boxes.

Editors and Agents read thousands of words every day. They are looking for the next “great” whatever manuscript. They are professionals. It is not the time to be entertaining.

I am amazed at some of the things the editors/agents have written they receive. I mean, would you show up for a job interview in a clown suit, well, I guess if you were applying to Ringling Brothers, but you get my point. Proper attire for your manuscript is a necessity. And, that includes your synopsis. It needs to be formatted properly and here are my notes on formatting: (again from many sources)

AND, always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the submission requirements of the agent/editor where are submitting, and fulfill those requirements.

1. Double spaced, standard margins, submit s 2 to 3 page synopsis unless otherwise requested.
2. Header with TITLE/YOUR LAST NAME/(word)SYNOPSIS and to right Page numbering. I have read varying on this, but only in that your last name should go first and then the title. Otherwise they all agree on the header.
3. Write in present tense (walks/rides/is), use active voice and few adverbs or adjectives
4. The synopsis should reflect the tone and voice of your manuscript. Mine is serious with a little humor so I am working on doing the synopsis in the same way. Can you imagine Terry Pratchett’s synopsis???
5. Do not include dialogue and avoid the words: AND, THEN
6. And, MOST IMPORTANT = DO NOT use the opening of the book as the opening of the synopsis. They will be reading the first 50 pages of the manuscript, hopefully, with the synopsis, so you do not want any repetition in the packet you send. You want to give them as large a sample, as you can, of your writing.
7. IN ADDITION: Write as though you are genuinely excited about this book and eager to market it. I am presuming here, that you are.
8. Include Action Scenes and Development Scenes that are important to the plot.
9. Include illuminating setting information, characterization, and theme and leaving out almost everything that does not serve this end. If it is not plot, really THINK why you are including it.
10. Everything must be shown. You should NOT say someone “found a surprise” or “has psychic power.” You must show this and tell what the surprise is, etc.
11. And, again, OCCASIONALLY, you will alter the synopsis to suit the agent’s interests you are submitting to.

Next post: Point by point details to include in your Synopsis.