Writing a book synopsis

Before I get started on today's blog on writing a book synopsis (yeah, that thing that makes writers shudder in dread), I wanted to let you all know that I've started a page on Goodreads. For those of you who are already signed up, add me as a friend. ; ) Like I said, I've just started filling my page in. I'll be doing more in the coming weeks. I'm kinda busy, book to finish writing and all that. ; )

For me, coming up with a plot for a book and writing a synopsis isn't quite the same thing, but one leads to the other by necessity. (Editors like to see before they buy.) I'm highly organized and methodical -- my writing brain is the exact opposite (kinda like Felix and Oscar for you fans of classic TV). Books come to me in snippets of dialogue, pieces of scenes, chunks of chapters. I know there's a book in there somewhere, but it's up to me to lay all the puzzle pieces out then put them together to find out what the final picture looks like.

Some writers swear by having a synposis to go by, some swear at it. These writers get an idea, love the idea, and jump into the idea with both feet. They don't want to plot anything out or write a synopsis first. It's all about the journey and the joy of discovery. Writing anything down before starting would ruin it.

This is not me. The Trouble With Demons (the book I'm writing now) is the first book that I had to do a complete book synopsis (turned out to be 12 pages double spaced) to sell it to my publisher. I did a partial synopsis (6 pages) for Bewitched & Betrayed (aka Raine Benares #4). I left the resolution unresolved for Book 4 with one heck of a cliffhanger. ; ) This was okay to do because it was the fourth book I'd done for Anne Sowards at Ace Books.

And I cannot tell you how grateful I am that I have a complete synopsis to go by. My plots/subplots are, shall we say, complex. If I'm not careful, I'll get completely off track. When I feel myself starting to do that, I can just refer to the synopsis to see what I'd originally said should go next. Disaster averted. Before I start writing Bewitched & Betrayed, I will expand my partial synopsis into a full one. I think of it as sanity preservation. ; )

What a synopsis is not -- A synopsis is not every bit of action that will go into your book. It's the "40,000 feet/big picture" view. You include only the main plot points. A book synopsis should ideally cover the book from beginning to end (but only the main points), introduce only your main characters, and be written in the tone of your book. My synopsis for TTWD is in first person, Raine's point of view (just like the books), and it is also in present tense. It gives the action a more immediate impact.

But when you're first starting to write a book synopsis, feel free to include anything and everything you want to. That way you've got something to work with (and to whittle down). By having everything together in one document, you can see the big picture and begin to weed out the stuff you really don't need to include, and come up with other really cool stuff. Chances are it will start off looking like a convoluted mess (mine do). As you edit, delete, add, refine, tweak -- the synopsis will start to take shape (and most importantly, so will your plot).

Most agents start off wanting a query letter with a one paragraph synopsis (I covered writing a query letter plot synopsis in my January 31 blog). If they like what they read, they'll request sample chapters. Some agents will also want to see a synopsis at this point before asking for the entire manuscript. All agents are different; Kristin Nelson (my agent) didn't want to see a synopsis of Magic Lost, Trouble Found. She prefers to read the full manuscript without knowing what's going to happen, to get a more authentic reader reaction. When your agent is marketing your book to publishers, chances are they will want a synopsis. And once you're published and trying for that next contract, your publisher will most likely want a synopsis and the first 50 pages of the book before they decide to make your agent an offer. So writing the synopsis is kinda unavoidable. Sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news.

When I first started writing novels, it used to drive me nuts that I couldn't plot a book from beginning to end, including everything that happens in between. I thought that's how "real writers" did it. They had their system, be it notecards, notebooks, post-its stuck in chapter and scene order on a wall. (BTW -- I've done that last one before for a plot snafu I was trying to work out, and it was not only helpful to me, but highly decorative for my office.) Oooo, I still have that packed away (post-its on a massive and long sheet of paper). Actually it was the back side of half a roll of Christmas wrap. For this Saturday's Fun Pic, I'll show it to you. ; )

Okay, back to the synopsis. Once you have a polished version, some writers stick to it like glue. I don't. At least not entirely. While I'm writing, a lot of the time I'll come up with something even better. Believe me, my editor did not mind -- and yours won't either.

For tomorrow: Writer's weaknesses -- What do I go absolutely gaga over? Later this week, how to keep readers turning the pages.

Have a good one!
Lisa