| When you submit your manuscript an editor has | | | | need to do is edit your synopsis and slim it down! |
| very little time to appraise your work so writing | | | | Your final synopsis must focus on the primary |
| an excellent synopsis is crucial to your chances of | | | | story line, don’t get bogged down in trying |
| success - here are some tips that can help you | | | | to discuss any secondary storylines unless they |
| succeed in getting your manuscript | | | | are pivotal to the book. At the same time, |
| Congratulations! The mere fact that you are | | | | don’t forget to state how the book ends. |
| reading this article suggests that you have finished | | | | The synopsis of your manuscript should be a |
| writing the manuscript for your fiction / | | | | complete reflection of the main storyline — |
| non-fiction, children’s book or short story. | | | | and that includes the ending. Publishers do not like |
| Or that you have almost finished writing it. Or, | | | | surprises! Step 4 — Every word counts |
| maybe that you are thinking about writing it1 | | | | — don’t be too descriptive! When |
| Regardless, you deserve to be congratulated! | | | | self-editing your synopsis, remember to review |
| Entering into the literary world can be a very | | | | every word! 300 words is a tiny amount of text |
| daunting, challenging and frustrating experience | | | | to play with, especially if you are trying to |
| — but well worth the journey. And you | | | | summarize a 100,000 word manuscript. EVERY |
| should be applauded for taking the plunge! Right, | | | | WORD COUNTS, so use them wisely. Use them |
| back to the focus of this article, namely, how to | | | | to clearly state the main story line, to discuss the |
| write a synopsis for your completed manuscript. | | | | characterization of the pivotal individuals and to |
| This is never an easy task, especially for those of | | | | create some intrigue, without leaving out key |
| you who like to use long, meandering sentences | | | | events. Step 5 — Get a second opinion (if |
| and descriptive words. A successful synopsis | | | | you can bear it!) Drafting, editing and finalizing the |
| should be succinct, structured and surprise-free! | | | | précis to your manuscript are the three |
| Follow these five simple steps and take the pain | | | | primary steps to completing a perfect synopsis! |
| out of summarizing your writing! Step 1 — | | | | But nothing beats an objective opinion! And so my |
| Know your manuscript This sounds simple enough, | | | | final piece of advice to you would be to get |
| but you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to | | | | someone else to read your finalised synopsis. And |
| forget elements of your own work — | | | | then ask them to give you an honest review on |
| particularly if you have been writing your | | | | how well you have pulled it together. Are they |
| manuscript over a long period of time, or if it | | | | able to provide you with an accurate reflection of |
| includes several complicated storylines. So before | | | | the main storyline that runs through the |
| you set about writing a synopsis of your work | | | | manuscript? Can they articulate the personalities |
| you must re-read the manuscript in its entirety; | | | | of the key characters? Does the synopsis |
| make sure you know your words intimately! Step | | | | interest them sufficiently — do they want |
| 2 — Draft a précis Once you are | | | | to read the manuscript in its entirety? As painful |
| confident that you know the characters, storyline | | | | as it is, nothing beats a critical review of your |
| and language of your manuscript inside out, you | | | | work from an objective source! Writing a |
| can start to draft a summary of your book. | | | | synopsis can, for many writers, be the hardest |
| Allow the same proportion of words for your | | | | part of completing the manuscript submission |
| synopsis as you have for each section of your | | | | process. It does however play an important part |
| manuscript — the introductory sentences | | | | in securing a publication deal! Many agents and |
| and closing section of the synopsis should be | | | | publishers will use the quality of a |
| shorter than the main body. Step 3 — Now | | | | manuscript’s synopsis to decide whether |
| halve it! I can almost guarantee that the first | | | | or not the continue reading an author’s |
| draft of your synopsis will be far too long! A well | | | | submission. So make sure you give your synopsis |
| written précis should be approximately 300 | | | | the time and attention it deserves! |
| words, certainly no longer! So the next thing you | | | | |