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I hate writing a synopsis. Here’s why: 1) There are no uniform specifications for a synopsis. Every agent has their own requirements. 2) There are no uniform specifications for a synopsis. Every agent has their own word count. 3) There are no uniform specifications for a synopsis. Every agent has their own idea of what they expect—but seldom share that vision with others.

When an agent does decide to impart his or her wisdom to us, some say create an abbreviated outline; others state The Way is paved with prose. Some decide a single page will suffice; others are happy to read two. Most claim 500 words is the max; almost as many say 800. I even found one agent who sanely declared it was impossible to write a clear and compelling synopsis in just one page or 500 words. For him, the bottom line was not to exceed 1,000. So, sad to say, you’re gonna need more than one version in your tool box… and probably will still have to edit and modify to meet each agent’s requirements.

I despaired of ever finding the key to synopsis success, until I stumbled across this word of advice: this document will not break the deal, only seal it. All agents zero in on your query letter and sample pages first. If those items pique their interest, only then will they turn to your synopsis to confirm your plot has a clear story arc and a satisfying ending.

Viewed that way, it makes the whole process less daunting.

Here are the basic elements of a good synopsis:
- Sell your story in a one sentence snippet in the opening paragraphs. Such as: “Are You Listening?” is a love story, a ghost story, and a true story told by a man who’s lived on both sides of the earthly divide.
- Cover all the major plot points. Subplots can be excluded, or alluded to briefly.
- Drop in a few examples of the most appealing aspects of your book.
- Show how your plot builds in momentum.
- Reveal the ending. (Spoilers are not only encouraged, but demanded.)

I will go into greater detail in future blogs about how to develop these elements paragraph by paragraph. For now, let’s concentrate on the tone and format.

While a novel is ripe with emotion and detail, a synopsis should be direct and clear. This is the time to tell not show. You’re crafting a business document. Forget the flash and focus on the substance.

Use normal fonts, normal margins, and line spacing no narrower than 1.5. It’s fine if your synopsis is two pages long. (For me, one page is unrealistic unless an agent demands it. Then one page is what they get.) In any case, never exceed two pages.

Put the names of main characters in bold or CAPS when you first introduce them. And no matter how many heroes and villains people your book, narrow it down to the top four or five in your synopsis. If you have to mention minor characters in order to illustrate your plot development, keep it short and sweet: a doctor, a detective, the neighbor, etc.

I don’t have to tell you to proof carefully, do I? Obviously, your synopsis should have no typos or spelling mistakes.

Finally, don’t call your file synopsis.doc or other vague title. The agent probably has hundreds of files from writers with that exact filename. Use something that will help it stand out, such as Are-You-Listening-synopsis.doc.

Hey, you went to a lot of trouble to entice that agent into demanding your full manuscript. Don’t make them dig to find you once you’ve hooked them.

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