How to Write a Synopsis
- 1). Detail any back stories relevant to the main story. Keep this information short, making every word count.
- 2). Write a descriptive paragraph about the setting of the story. Make the reader feel the setting, which will foreshadow the tone of the synopsis.
- 3). Begin the storyline with an introduction to the major characters. Make the characters feel fleshed out, including as much relevant information as possible in a short space.
- 4). Cover the storyline, including every major conflict and resolution. Write the story in short chapter summaries until the entire book is summarized.
- 5). Add a few quotations into the summary. Choose quotes that say something about both the characters and the storyline. Quote directly from the manuscript, using quotes that are interesting, funny or exciting, but that contain the needed information.
- 6). Keep the entire synopsis in the present tense to generate a feeling of excitement and relevance. Keep the length of the synopsis to five pages or less. Read the publisher's writing guidelines to find to the exact length each publisher prefers. Be prepared to write several versions of any manuscript's synopsis in order to fit the guidelines of different publishers.
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