Conquering The Dreaded Synopsis

Conquering The Dreaded Synopsis
(July 1999 meeting summary)
By Caro LaFever

PAM5.jpg (15838 bytes) At our July meeting we were privileged to have Pam McCutcheon talk to us about the dreaded synopsis. She based the talk on her book, “Writing the Fiction Synopsis, a Step by Step Approach,” published by Gryphon Books. Pam is a former engineer turned writer and the author of two futuristic romances and one fantasy novella for Leisure Love Spell, as well as four romantic comedies from Harlequin American. Her next non-fiction book, tentatively titled “Book in a Box,” will be out in spring of 2000, published by Gryphon Books.

Pam started by saying that there’s nothing magical about her method of writing a synopsis. She emphasized that this isn’t the only way or the “right” way of doing things. But to be a selling writer, she feels strongly that a writer must learn how to write an effective synopsis. It’s a selling tool - one that can be used to gain an editor’s attention and then, once the book is sold, it can be used by the editor to promote your book, to write back copy and make decisions on your book’s cover.

There are different kinds of synopsis. First, there’s the “working” synopsis. This is strictly for the writer’s use and can range from a few notes or a basic outline up to 40 or 50 pages of detailed information. A “selling” synopsis is what Pam concentrated on describing in her talk. This is the synopsis that will be sent to editors and agents.

There are three basic kinds of “selling” synopsis. A writer can dive right in and immediately tell the story. Or a writer can use the “high concept lead in” - using a great hook to catch the editor’s interest. Finally, a writer can begin the synopsis by describing the backgrounds of the hero and heroine - telling the backstory before starting the actual synopsis. Either way can be effective.

In preparing your synopsis be sure to include: the goals, motivations and conflicts of the major characters, their ordinary world (plot point A) and the trigger event that sends them in a new direction (plot point B). Continue describing scenes that lead up to the midpoint of your book - here a change of plans (plot point C) twists the book into a different direction. Make sure to include transitions, especially those that show how your couple falls in love. Bring the synopsis to closure by describing the dark moment (plot point D) followed by the conclusion (plot point E). Tie up all loose ends of the plot and include the resolution of the major characters’ goals and conflicts, as well as any character growth.

Pam ended the talk by describing some synopsis don’ts:

-- Don’t address the reader directly in the synopsis (“this is a story about…”). Just TELL the
story.
-- Don’t tell the reader how to feel.
-- Don’t tell them it’s funny or heart wrenching or clever. Just tell the story and let them decide
how to feel.
-- Don’t put in too many details. Only use things that show GMC, character growth, etc.
-- Don’t tell the story too much out of order. For example, if you have a book with flashbacks,
don’t switch back and forth between the present and the past. Just state the pertinent info
that happened in the past, then tell what happens in the present.
-- Don’t mention a lot of secondary character’s names.
-- Don’t use a lot of dialogue.
-- Don’t overdo exclamation marks and underlining for emphasis - use sparingly.
-- Don’t use fancy fonts, clip art, etc. Keep it basic.

Remember to use third person/present tense unless you’re telling something that happened in the past. A big HODRW thank you to Pam McCutcheon for coming and sharing all her valuable knowledge about this important topic!

Be sure to check out Pam McCutcheon’s book,
WRITING THE FICTION SYNOPSIS: A Step By Step Approach. It’s a GRYPHON BOOK,
ISBN 0-9654371-1-6.