Writing takes courage. Submitting work is in many ways the most courageous act a writer commits. I don’t know of any aspiring novelist who looks forward to the task of synopsizing his or her own novel and then waiting around for rejection after rejection.
The synopsis itself is often a major hurdle. If a story could be rendered in that short a form, you’d have written a short story instead of a novel, right? I’d rather have a tooth extracted than attempt to synopsize mine. In fact I’m in danger of running out of teeth before I find the right agent, because of my personal loathing for synopsis. Still, it’s necessary to get the idea across in a form agents can absorb and understand quickly on their way through a gazillion other queries. A good, crisp synopsis makes an agent eager to read the entire manuscript.
Can one learn this skill by example? By reading examples, along with an agent’s reasons why they’re good or not? More likely example and practice are necessary. But examples sure help. So put on your synopsis-writing cap and read through the recent series of “Crapometer” posts at Miss Snark, the literary agent. Thanks to Miss Snark for her time sharing her insider views, and thanks to the writers who braved the Crapometer’s challenge.
1.
I don’t know if I can stand to even look at synopsises (sp. synopsisi???) Ugh. I can’t even spell them. Who wants to rehash what they’ve already written, in a form which isn’t intended for actual reading (but rather evaluation)? Of course I have done a few. I hope that agents and editors might realize (what I think is true) that synopsis writing skill probably has no bearing on novel writing skill and just look at the synopsis to see what the novel contains and how it is, generally, arranged.
Comment by Eric Mayer — December 26, 2005 @ 8:39 pm
2.
I always wonder how people can capture a story in such few words but with enough power to get someone really excited about what they are going to read. Glad I don’t have to do that…
Comment by violetismycolor — December 26, 2005 @ 9:35 pm
3.
I don’t get the flap about writing a synopsis. I look at it as a game of sorts, as though I am writing an extended book jacket.
My bad luck is that I must write a great synopsis, but a crappy book. Many agents have asked for my manuscript after reading my synopsis, but I still have no takers. Am currently waiting to hear back from one that expressed an interest.
I love Miss Snark’s site. Clearly, the biggest pitfall to successful synopsis writing is too many details. It must be tight, no fat. I have bucked tradition by keeping my synopsis to one page. I figure (correctly, I believe) that no agent wants to read a 4 or 5 page synopsis that is bogged down with details. Of note, I have never had an agent tell me my synopsis is too short. The current guidelines are outdated. With the deluge of queries received, agents don’t have time for long synopses. Just my unpublished opinion.
Comment by Reenie — December 27, 2005 @ 7:40 am
4.
Synopsis:
Rome rose then fell.
The end.
Comment by Mark — December 28, 2005 @ 8:31 am
5.
Eric, I know, huh? I can barely spell it myself.
Violetismycolor, we need all the sympathy we can get.
Reenie, one page? That’s great!
Miss Snark’s remarks were succinct and provided a lot of helpful hints. “Plot, characters, and turning points.” (I hope I’m quoting her correctly, it’s from memory.) I like that tidbit.
Hey, Mark, welcome back. You win for the shortest synopsis in history.
Comment by Barbara W. Klaser — December 28, 2005 @ 7:24 pm