Yes, I have finished the synopsis I was asked to write and am now working on my three sample chapters for the possible new series.
Well, “finished” is maybe too strong of a word…considering the synopsis is 21 pages long and needs to be 8. (I’d thought they wanted a short synopsis, but they need a longer one. Not, however, 21 pages long.)
I think it would take me longer to write a short synopsis. I’d obsess over what was going into it too much. Just like Twain said, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
Good things about writing synopses
- Planning ahead
- Seeing how the story all fits together
- Finding weaknesses in the story before starting
- Knowing exactly where the story is heading.
- Discovering plot holes.
- Having fewer things to work out later—names, clues, red herrings, and the murderer’s identity are all included in the synopsis.
Bad things about writing synopses
- Planning ahead
- The time it takes—about 4 hours to write a complete synopsis (at least, this is as long as it took me)
- Feeling like I’m writing to an outline, which saps a little of the creative mojo. Feels like writing-by-numbers.
- Looking back and forth from my synopsis to my manuscript as I write. “Now, what did I say I was going to write here…?”
- Not having the story surprise me as I go. It feels more calculated.
Will I do this again? I’m sure I will—many editors want a synopsis before giving the go-ahead on a book or new series. Will I choose to do this again when I don’t have to? I’m not so sure. I might do it on a much smaller scale.
How about you? Which side of the fence are you on?
Sounds like an interesting experiment. I don’t know that I would like to commit myself to an idea because I know I abandon many ideas mid-way through the first draft.
Wishing you luck with this project.
Elizabeth – I understand exactly why you feel sort of ambivalent about synopses. I have to say, though, that I like them. I like outlines. I think it’s my academic background, where you always plan a study and the paper that goes with it ahead of time. You don’t write a paper without a synopsis, so I guess I just got used to it…
I dread the synopsis pre-book, long or short. Readers of my blog know I don’t plan more than a few scenes ahead. If I had to turn in a synopsis at this stage of my writing it would be: Hero and heroine want to get on with their lives. They meet. Something bad happens. They figure out how to fix it. They have a HEA.
For a mystery, it’s even easier. A crime is committed. Detective solves it.
I don’t like writing synopses. Period. I will do it if I have to.
Best of luck.
Karen
I always outline before I write, but not that detailed. As you said, it takes away some of the creativity. And twenty-one pages in just four hours sounds impressive to me.
I’ve never had to do a synopsis before the book is written. I know the book might not turn out that way in the end. My characters often change or do unexpected things which cause my plot focus to change. I think it would be interesting to see what I wanted out of my novel and compare it with the final product though.
CD
Oh, wow. I don’t know if I could do it. I tend to figure out ‘what happens next’ as I go.
I’ve been attempting an outline recently. It’s not nearly as difficult as I thought. Perhaps with practice I’d find a synopsis less intimidating.
(Congrats on the top writing websites honor. I’ve just seen it.)
– Corra :)
from the desk of a historical writer
I prefer writing they synopsis after the book is written, but I would do it if asked. I think even if you write it ahead of time, you’re not obligated to absolutely stick to it. Things change. As long as it’s not radical changes.
Helen
Straight From Hel
If you had very little choice I suppose you would have to do it. After the book would be better. Before with the understanding it’s not in stone. Things do seem to change unexpectedly in an ms, don’t they?
Well deserved award, Elizabeth.
Maribeth
Giggles and Guns
I like how planning ahead is on both lists. I always plan ahead, but leave room for change and growth.
Good for you for finishing and good luck whittling it down! I suspect that may take longer than it did to write the gosh-darned thing. I understand the point about it sapping creativity, but I like the safety net of knowing (roughly) where I’m going. Trust me, there are still surprises along the way of actually writing the book – characters tend to go off and get into messes.
I’ve never written a synopis beforehand. I like to make a brief outline and then let the story take me where it will. Though sometimes, it does not cooperate :-)
For me, the shorter the synopsis the better (2-3 pages). For one simple reason–I never quite know where the story is taking me until I write it. Thankfully, my editor understands this.
I would NEVER, EVER write a synopsis before having written the whole book. That’s why I think it’s better to write the book first, then shorten it to a synopsis.
Besides: you’ll have the book ready in case… :).
Hello Elizabeth! I have been reading a lot of books on editing and revising to get ready for doing same with my first draft of True. Something I read yesterday really resonated with me and I’m going to try it. I found it in James Scott Bell’s ‘Revision & Self-Editing’ but it is originally from British novelist, John Braine’s ‘Writing a Novel’. The technique is to summarize after you have written your first draft. You produce several of these 2 thousand to 3 thousand word summaries. Choosing the one that really does it for you – you use that as a roadmap for your organic second draft. I like it and I’m going to try it. I couldn’t do a synopsis before writing as I have NO idea what is going to happen. If I did, I wouldn’t bother writing it, I’m afeared!
I would NEVER do the synopsis first in the suspense books I normally write–just my vague outline (a dozen plot points to hit, none set in stone). With the mystery though, until I get the hang of it–I am having to plot carefully enough, and pace carefully enough, that I don’t think the synopsis would hurt and it might help. STICKING TO IT on the other hand… THAT I’m not sure I could do!
I’m not a fan of writing the dreaded synopsis. I’ve been working on one for my editor who wants a one-page synopsis. Should be easy, but I always struggle.
15 comments:
Cassandra–Thanks. Keep your fingers crossed!
Alex–It actually flowed pretty quickly…now I’ll have to cut it back by more than half, but at least I’ll have the rest of it to remind myself where I was going with the story.
Clarissa–The characters make the changes in the plot, don’t they? We’ll blame them, anyway!
Corra–It went easier than I thought, actually. I think it’ll be harder sticking to it. And thanks!
Helen–Usually I do have fairly radical changes…like whodunit. :) But not this time, I’m thinking.
Maribeth–I think after the book would be WAY better! But I can see where an editor wouldn’t think so. And thanks. :)
Margot–See, now I know who should be writing my synopsis for me…
Diane–:) Yes, I see the benefit of planning ahead, it’s just not fun for me!
Jenny–I like to go with the flow, too. Sigh.
Heather–You know, I think I’ve been lucky not to have had to do this before. Do you usually work off a short proposal?
Jan–That makes a lot of sense to me. If I had more time, maybe I could do several synopses of the same general story and see which one sounds best. Not enough time for this project, but maybe in the future?
Terry–Oh I wish I could do that. There’s a body. There’s a sleuth. There are 5 suspects. There’s another body. The sleuth is in danger. The sleuth solves the case! Yes, that’s it in a nutshell. Don’t think I’d get the contract, though. :)
Karen–I’m with you. :)
Hart–Well, and that’s the thing. If I sell it on the synopsis and my synopsis promises to use particular content, then I *change* that content (in an arbitrary way and not because there’s an actual problem with the text), then I’ve been a little shifty, I think. So I’ll be sticking to what I’ve laid out, for the most part.
Kathi–I think we use a whole different part of our brain when we write synopses.
Thank you for your honesty about your own process. It’s helpful to see how others do things. I’ve just started doing a 6-paragraph synopsis for each story idea that pops into my head. This way, I can leave it for months while I finish my WIP and come back without losing anything from memory. And it’s bare-boned enough to leave room for creativity.
Note: I don’t have to write for editors yet, so I can just enjoy whatever process I like without pressure. There’s one good thing about being underpublished!
You might think this is crazy, but I write a chapter by chapter synopsis WHILE I write the book. Yuuup. Then when the first draft is done, I read the synopsis and it is easy to see if the sequence of events makes sense, if timelines are consistent, that sort of thing. Also easy to then write a condensed two or three paragraph synopsis of the whole book for submissions.
Marvin D Wilson
Elspeth–You know, I can see that side of it. Someone could ask me what this prospective book is about, and I could tell them from start to end right now. There is a certain security to that.
Christine–Well, that’s a good point! Then it shouldn’t take all that much time to write it.
Katrina–I do like that idea. I’ve got an idea folder in Word with all the scraps of stories I don’t have time to write, but they’re not organized…and the stories aren’t explored at all. Great idea!
Marvin–Yes, I DO think that’s crazy, but you’re so organized that I think you make it work well for you. :)
I write up rolling synopses as I go when I write. I often don’t look at them again – just “thinking on paper.”
When I’m stuck on a minor point, I will often go back over old notes, and I am sometimes surprised at how SMART I was earlier, and what a great idea I had (among all the really stupid ones).
I’ve written a synposis or three for myself, and I always end up loving them in the end. I feel creative while coming up with the overall plot and piecing things together, and then I have it to refer back to when I get stuck writing. Of course, by the time I’m stuck and decide to look at it again, I find I’ve veered way off track, and I’m writing a totally different story now. That’s fun too.
I’m sensing that you like to write a snyopsis about as much as I do. I’m making my peace with outlining but I hate writing a synopsis!
Heather–It’s just not fun, is it? But it seems to help the folks on the other side of the project (agent, editor, marketing, etc.)
The Daring Novelist–Ha! I try to trick myself, too–“It’s not a *real* synopsis, Elizabeth. You’re just putting a few thoughts down. Just relaxxx…” 21 pages later… :) Obviously it works.
Hey, somebody from #bookmarket chat on twitter referred me to this method: http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
You start with your one-liner, and move outward. There are some ideas I think I will implement in my synopses in the future.
I find your article really helpful. I am not really good at writing synopsis. Thank you for your post!
SEO Los Angeles