By Leeann Betts
A good writing
synopsis will take you scene by scene, chapter by chapter, act by act through
the story. It will prompt your dialogue, talk about the motivations, and
highlight the conflicts that should exist between your characters.
Here’s how to
write a good synopsis that will speed your writing to the successful completion
of a first draft:
1.
Start with the tagline of the book. One or two
sentences that encapsulate what the book will be about. For Missing Deposits, mine is: When a
rancher discovers copper on his property, he learns that mining can be
dangerous business. Can Mike and Carly figure out who the killer is, or will
they end up buried in an unmarked grave in western Colorado?
2.
Come up with the short blurb. This could be
three to five sentences that give a little more information. Think of it as
“back cover copy”—what would entice you to buy and read this book? Again, using
my most recent release as an example: Carly looks forward to a vacation when
Mike is hired to assist a rancher family in western Colorado catalogue their
various mineral rights following the discovery of a large copper field on their
property. However, Carly soon learns that the real wealth—and the real
danger—aren’t below ground. Someone is out to keep a secret bigger and more
profitable than copper. And they’re willing to kill for it.
3.
Start at the beginning of the story. Refer to
your tagline and your blurb to keep you on track. This isn’t intended to stifle
your creativity, but rather to deliver on the promise you made to your reader
through your book description/back cover copy. Drop the reader into the action
right away. Then transcribe the movie playing in your head. I format the
synopsis so that each scene is a single paragraph. Sometimes I include
dialogue. And if there’s something I need to research, I don’t stop and do it
then. I put in @@ so I can search the document later and pop those little
tidbits in.
4.
End every scene and every chapter with a
problem, a question, or a revelation. This keeps the reader reading.
5.
Add notes as you write the book and make changes
as your characters lead you.
6.
When you’re done, add in the timeline of when
the scene is set in the story as well as in time. I use a free online printable
calendar to keep the days straight in my head and in my story.
For Missing Deposits, my synopsis came in at
just about 11,000 words. I hear what you’re thinking, and I see the eye rolls.
“Why would you waste all that time doing a synopsis when you could be writing
the book?” I asked that same question the first few times I wrote a synopsis.
And honestly, this one was way more detailed than I usually do. But it’s been a
treasure. Sometimes, I just rehash the synopsis directly in the book. And, with
this level of detail, I reduce the risk of leaving a gaping hole in the plot
lines.
Leave a comment,
and I will draw one name randomly to receive a free print copy (US only) or
ebook of Missing Deposits.
Leeann Betts writes contemporary romantic suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna
Schlachter, pens historical romantic suspense. In the Money is the tenth title in her cozy mystery series, and
together she and Donna have published more than 30 novellas and full-length
novels. They ghostwrite, judge writing contests, edit, facilitate a critique
group, and are members of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the
Rock, and Sisters in Crime. Leeann travels extensively to research her stories,
and is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary LLC.Website: www.LeeannBetts.com Receive a free ebook
just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter. Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6 Books: Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2z5ecP8
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