Why do a lot of authors dread writing the synopsis? Why is it so hard for some to write? Today we are going to show you how to do it with as little pain as possible. We are going to try three different methods to help you write a synopsis for your current writing project.
Let’s start with the snowflake method version.
What is the snowflake plotting method and how will it help me write a synopsis?
Randy Ingermanson developed the popular Snowflake Method for planning novels. He claims, ‘Good fiction doesn’t just happen, it is designed.’ He suggests that to design a novel you start small, then build up until it looks like a story. This plan helps you define your plan in brief, then build on that until it is a one-page story outline. This is a great resource if you would like to try out the method https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/
Today we are just going to use the first few steps.
Step 1- write a one-sentence summary of your novel.
Some hints on what makes a good sentence:
Shorter is better. Try for fewer than 15 words.
No character names, please! Better to say “a handicapped trapeze artist” than “Jane Doe”.
Tie together the big picture and the personal picture. Which character has the most to lose in this story? Now tell me what he or she wants to win.
Read the one-line blurbs on the New York Times Bestseller list to learn how to do this. Writing a one-sentence description is an art form. * from advanced fiction writing’s snowflake method page.
Step 2- take that sentence and expand it to a full paragraph. Try describing the story setup, major disasters, and the end of the novel. Sit this paragraph somewhere and do something else for at least a couple of hours. Then come back and tweak it so you give nothing important away, but you intrigue the reader.
That was the snowflake method version of writing a synopsis, but that paragraph might be difficult for some, so let’s go on to another option.
Let’s try the question-and-answer method of writing a synopsis.
What is your favorite thing about your main character(s)?
What is your favorite thing about your world?
What information do you think you need to provide?
How can you inform the reader of the story before they even begin reading the story?
What questions do you want the synopsis to pose the reader?
What does the synopsis going to promise the reader?
Genre indicators needed? (Like with a romance you want to mention both characters, and what is standing in the way of them begging together)
Keywords: (romance key words; love, romance, passion, back together, overcome, sizzle, and others)
Words or phrases that describe the main character(s)? (Not physical think more motivation, struggles, character arc)
List the main plot points:
What are the big revelations in your story?
How can you tease or mislead readers about these revelations?
Do you need to warn the reader about anything?
What do the synopses in your genre look like? Take notes about what you like and dislike.
What sort of readers do you want to read your story?
What words/ideas/themes would appeal to these readers?
What style of writing would appeal to these readers?
Try writing a few drafts of your synopsis after you answer these questions. Note where you want to emphasize certain words.
That is the question-and-answer method.
Last we will try the 6 sentence method.
What is life like for your main character at the start of your story?
What is the thing that sets the main character off on their journey (the inciting incident)
What is the journey or the goal of your character and why is it important to them.
What are a couple of the obstacles that get in the way?
What is the biggest obstacle of all (hint at this drama, don’t give it all away)
End with a question/hook
Thanks to natashalester.com.au for this method. I hope that one of these ideas helps you find a painless method for writing a synopsis for your story. If you try something different, I would love to hear it please leave a comment on your method.
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