what is a synopsis exactly

Myrmidon707 · 12-16-2009, 01:48 AM

This is probably a sad question, but what exactly is a one page synopsis of a story? Is it a run down of the story's events? is it a detailed step by step look at the plot. I know this sounds dumb, but I've written scripts, but I have trouble with what a synopsis really is, and to pitch you have to be good at them...

joshm · 12-16-2009, 02:21 AM

I've written a few synopsis' and I've never been told they were terrible. I think I've actually gotten pretty good at them.

The publisher wants to know the story from start to finish, but in a short format that doesn't involve too many details. I've done a full page synopsis, which Eric Larson read and liked (for the most part), and one paragraph synopsis that McFarland publishing liked. Whichever way you choose to write it, just make it informative and interesting.

I think the shorter it is the better, because publishers go through a lot of them and if you can do it in one paragraph I say do it.

I don’t know of any particular format for writing a synopsis, but here is how I approach it. Think of the whole story and how it will lead up to the end. You should be able to think of one moment in the story that turns the tables and either gives the protagonist a choice and ultimately changes the direction of the story or an event that changes the story.

Your leading sentence should relate to this story-redirection. It doesn’t have to contain all the elements or details, but have it relate to this redirection, so the reader will recognize how it all falls into place. Make each sentence count. Describe the overall concept of the story while describing what is happing at certain moments.

Leading sentence: A young scientist finds his love for spiders transforms him into a superhero.

From here you can describe the big moments of his story and use his name, Peter Parker, in describing the story, rather than saying his name is….

Finally, the end should be the end. You don’t have to say, Peter lives happily ever after. The publisher wants to know the final choice he makes to lead him down the path he will take from now on—becoming Spider-Man.

Final disclaimer! While I have had some success in writing a synopsis I am by no means an expert and you should take any advice with a grain of salt. Good luck!

Magnus · 12-16-2009, 04:37 AM

I suggest you try your hand at a synopsis and post it in the Writer's forum to get feedback. I'm sure you'll get plenty of help there. I'll be sure to pitch in with some feedback!

HouseStark · 12-16-2009, 12:17 PM

From Images Web site:

A typed, ONE PAGE, synopsis of the overall STORY. We DO NOT want a single-issue synopsis -- we want a synopsis of the ENTIRE series or story arc. As concisely and as succinctly as you are able, TELL US THE STORY, make us interested. Please avoid hyperbole -- avoid questions as plot points ("What will Barney do when confronted with...?"), etc. We are the PUBLISHER, not the audience. TELL US WHAT HAPPENS! Explain why we (or anyone else) would be interested in this series. KEEP IT SHORT! We get thousands of submissions, cut to the chase -- if you can sell us your book with a single paragraph, do it!

Myrmidon707 · 12-16-2009, 12:53 PM

Thank you guys those were extremely helpful. Especialy the genius behind th image definition post (why I didn't go look for that I will never know)

Lee Nordling · 12-17-2009, 10:51 AM

I started a column a month ago over at projectfanboy.com; it's called Comics Pro Prep.

The first three columns were on pitching, and the second one specifically addresses how to write the full pitch/short synopsis.

Check it out at:

http://forums.projectfanboy.com/forumdisplay.php?f=155

Okay, the promo's over.

--Lee

12-16-2009, 01:48 AM	#1
Myrmidon707 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 17	what is a synopsis exactly This is probably a sad question, but what exactly is a one page synopsis of a story? Is it a run down of the story's events? is it a detailed step by step look at the plot. I know this sounds dumb, but I've written scripts, but I have trouble with what a synopsis really is, and to pitch you have to be good at them...

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12-16-2009, 02:21 AM	#2
joshm Comic Book creator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 548	I've written a few synopsis' and I've never been told they were terrible. I think I've actually gotten pretty good at them. The publisher wants to know the story from start to finish, but in a short format that doesn't involve too many details. I've done a full page synopsis, which Eric Larson read and liked (for the most part), and one paragraph synopsis that McFarland publishing liked. Whichever way you choose to write it, just make it informative and interesting. I think the shorter it is the better, because publishers go through a lot of them and if you can do it in one paragraph I say do it. I don’t know of any particular format for writing a synopsis, but here is how I approach it. Think of the whole story and how it will lead up to the end. You should be able to think of one moment in the story that turns the tables and either gives the protagonist a choice and ultimately changes the direction of the story or an event that changes the story. Your leading sentence should relate to this story-redirection. It doesn’t have to contain all the elements or details, but have it relate to this redirection, so the reader will recognize how it all falls into place. Make each sentence count. Describe the overall concept of the story while describing what is happing at certain moments. Leading sentence: A young scientist finds his love for spiders transforms him into a superhero. From here you can describe the big moments of his story and use his name, Peter Parker, in describing the story, rather than saying his name is…. Finally, the end should be the end. You don’t have to say, Peter lives happily ever after. The publisher wants to know the final choice he makes to lead him down the path he will take from now on—becoming Spider-Man. Final disclaimer! While I have had some success in writing a synopsis I am by no means an expert and you should take any advice with a grain of salt. Good luck!

12-16-2009, 04:37 AM	#3
Magnus An agent of chaos Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,126	I suggest you try your hand at a synopsis and post it in the Writer's forum to get feedback. I'm sure you'll get plenty of help there. I'll be sure to pitch in with some feedback!

12-16-2009, 12:17 PM	#4
HouseStark Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 154	From Images Web site: A typed, ONE PAGE, synopsis of the overall STORY. We DO NOT want a single-issue synopsis -- we want a synopsis of the ENTIRE series or story arc. As concisely and as succinctly as you are able, TELL US THE STORY, make us interested. Please avoid hyperbole -- avoid questions as plot points ("What will Barney do when confronted with...?"), etc. We are the PUBLISHER, not the audience. TELL US WHAT HAPPENS! Explain why we (or anyone else) would be interested in this series. KEEP IT SHORT! We get thousands of submissions, cut to the chase -- if you can sell us your book with a single paragraph, do it!

12-16-2009, 12:53 PM	#5
Myrmidon707 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 17	Thank you guys those were extremely helpful. Especialy the genius behind th image definition post (why I didn't go look for that I will never know)

12-17-2009, 10:51 AM	#6
Lee Nordling Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Long Pond, PA Posts: 1,461	I started a column a month ago over at projectfanboy.com; it's called Comics Pro Prep. The first three columns were on pitching, and the second one specifically addresses how to write the full pitch/short synopsis. Check it out at: http://forums.projectfanboy.com/forumdisplay.php?f=155 Okay, the promo's over. --Lee