One thing writers hate doing but will inevitably have to do (one day or another, at least) is the Dreaded Synopsis. An agent may request it in his/her submission materials, or an editor might want it once your agent has you out on subs. My film agent needed it for shopping around Something Strange & Deadly, and I would imagine other rights-agents would want a short, simple synopsis for the same reason.
So in other words: you have to learn to do this. You need it before you’re published, and you’ll certainly need it afterwards. Specifically, you’ll need to be able to write the 1 or 2-page synopsis.
But Sooz, you say. It’s hard to boil my whole ingenious novel into a few key sentences. To convey the depth, the emotion, the literary power of your novel in 500 words or less—impossible!
Ah, but is possible my friends. It’s possible and can even be fun (if you enjoy mental torture like me). To learn how to write a short synopsis, I took workshops, read books, and wrote a few drafts until I had a gleaming 1-page book summary. And after all that practice, I realized I had my own method (built from the methods of my various teachers, of course), and I’m sharing that method with you here.
To use this worksheet, fill out the questions in sentence form. Though your story may not follow this exact format, try to find some critical event in the story that can be placed in that space. You will likely notice that the worksheet is very similar to the Hero’s Journey (because most stories follow that format!), and I have filled out the questions using my All Time Favorite Movie as the example.
Once you have filled out the worksheet, rewrite them on a fresh sheet of paper and try to eliminate words, tighten sentences, and variate sentence structure. How many words do you have? You want to shoot for under 500, and you want to have some “space” left for inserting connective words (e.g. meanwhile, then, after, etc.). You also want to have extra space to add any events that are needed for explanation/flow.
Rule of thumb: You should only name three characters in a short synopsis—usually, the protagonist, antagonist, and possible love interest/side-kick/contagonist. All other characters should be referred to by their roles (e.g. the waitress, the mother, the basketball player).
Rule of thumb: You must tell the ending! The purpose of a synopsis is to show an editor/agent you can tell a story from beginning to end. You will not entice them into reading your whole MS if you don’t share the ending—you’ll just tick them off! 🙂
Rule of thumb: Do not include subplots unless you have extra space at the end!!!!! Stick to the MAIN PLOT EVENTS.
Fill in the Blanks
1. Opening image
An image/setting/concept that sets the stage for the story to come.
Long ago, in a galaxy far away, a controlling government called the Empire takes control of planets, systems, and people. Anyone who resists is obliterated.
2. Protagonist Intro
Who is the main character? Give 1-2 descriptive words and say what he/she wants.
Luke Skywalker, a naïve farm boy with a knack for robotics, dreams of one day escaping his desert homeland.
3. Inciting incident
What event/decision/change prompts the main character to take initial action.
When he buys two robots, he finds one has a message on it—a message from a princess begging for help. She has plans to defeat the Empire, and she begs someone to deliver these plans to a distant planet. Luke goes to his friend and mentor, the loner Ben Kenobi, for help.
4. Plot point 1
What is the first turning point? What action does the MC take or what decision does he/she make that changes the book’s direction? Once he/she crossed this line, there’s no going back.
Ben tells Luke about a world where the Empire rules and Rebels fight back, where Jedi Knights wield a magic called the Force, and how Luke must face Darth Vader – the man who killed Luke’s father and now seeks to destroy Luke too. Luke refuses, but when he goes back to his farm, he finds his family has been killed. He has no choice but to join Ben.
5. Conflicts & character encounters
Now in a new life, the MC meets new people, experiences a new life, and meets the antagonist/villain.
To escape the desert planet, Ben and Luke hire a low-life pilot and the pilot’s hairy, alien friend. Luke, Ben, Luke’s robots, the pilot, and the hairy friend leave the planet and fly to the Death Star, Darth Vader’s home and the Empire’s main base.
6. Midpoint
What is the middle turning point? What happens that causes the MC to make a 180 degree change in direction/change in emotion/change in anything? Again, once he/she has crossed this line, there’s no going back.
Once on board the Death Star, Luke discovers the princess is being held as a hostage. He and the group set out to find the princess, while Ben sets out to find a way for them to escape the base.
7. Winning seems imminent, but…
What happens that makes the MC think he/she will win? She seems to have the upper hand, but then oh no! The antagonist defeats her and rushes off more powerful than ever before.
After rescuing the princess, Luke and the group try to escape. Ben sacrifices himself so they can flee, and Darth Vader kills Ben. The group flees the Death Star on their own ship.
8. Black moment
The MC is lower than low, and he/she must fight through the blackness of his/her emotions to find the strength for the final battle. What happens here?
Luke is devastated over Ben’s death, and he is more determined to fight Darth Vader and help the Rebels defeat the Empire. Luke joins the Rebel army, and helps them plan an attack on the Death Star’s only weakness.
9. Climax
What happens in the final blow-out between the MC and the antagonist?
The Death Star arrives in space near the Rebels, and the attack begins. Luke joins the assault team of fighter ships. The Rebels suffer heavy losses, and soon Luke is one of the few remaining pilots and ships. He takes his chance and initiates the final attack. Guided by Ben’s voice and the Force, he manages to fire the single, critical shot to explode the Death Star.
10. Resolution
Does everyone live happily ever after? Yes? No? What happens to tie up all the loose ends?
With the Death Star destroyed and the Empire severely damaged, the Rebels hold a grand ceremony to honor Luke and his friends. The princess awards them with medals for heroism.
11. Final image
What is the final image you want to leave your reader with? Has the MC succumbed to his/her own demons or has he/she built a new life?
Though Luke is still sad over the loss of Ben and his family, he has found a place among the Rebels, and with them, he will continue to fight the Empire.
Putting It All Together
Long ago, in a galaxy far away, a controlling government called the Empire takes control of planets, systems, and people. Anyone who resists is obliterated.
Luke Skywalker, a naïve farm boy with a knack for robotics, dreams of one day escaping his desert homeland. When he buys two robots, he finds one has a message on it—a message from a princess begging for help. She has plans to defeat the Empire, and she begs someone to deliver these plans to a distant planet. Luke goes to his friend and mentor, the loner Ben Kenobi, for help.
Ben tells Luke about a world where the Empire rules and Rebels fight back, where Jedi Knights wield a magic called the Force, and how Luke must face Darth Vader—the man who killed Luke’s father and now seeks to destroy Luke too. Luke refuses, but when he goes back to his farm, he finds his family has been killed. He has no choice but to join Ben.
To escape the desert planet, Ben and Luke hire a low-life pilot and the pilot’s hairy, alien friend. Luke, Ben, Luke’s robots, the pilot, and the hairy friend leave the planet and fly to the Death Star, Darth Vader’s home and the Empire’s main base. Once on board the Death Star, Luke discovers the princess is being held as a hostage. He and the group set out to find the princess, while Ben sets out to find a way for them to escape the base.
After rescuing the princess, Luke and the group try to escape. Ben sacrifices himself so they can flee, and Darth Vader kills Ben. The group flees the Death Star on their own ship. Luke is devastated over Ben’s death, and he is more determined to fight Darth Vader and help the Rebels defeat the Empire. Luke joins the Rebel army, and helps them plan an attack on the Death Star’s only weakness.
The Death Star arrives in space near the Rebels, and the attack begins. Luke joins the assault team of fighter ships. The Rebels suffer heavy losses, and soon Luke is one of the few remaining pilots and ships. He takes his chance and initiates the final attack. Guided by Ben’s voice and the Force, he manages to fire the single, critical shot to explode the Death Star.
With the Death Star destroyed and the Empire severely damaged, the Rebels hold a grand ceremony to honor Luke and his friends. The princess awards them with medals for heroism. Though Luke is still sad over the loss of Ben and his family, he has found a place among the Rebels, and with them, he will continue to fight the Empire.
FINAL WORD COUNT: 452
I hope this helps you all! I know I use it as a general guide every time I write a synopsis. Sometimes, I even use it before writing a novel to help me get an idea of the general plot I want to follow.
What about you? How do you write a synopsis? Or do you have any questions about this method?
What about weekly writing advice and insider tips?
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Oh, the dreaded one page synopsis! I’ve had to do this twice now. Both times I basically typed up a detailed outline of my book, then whittled it down and whittled it down and whittled it down until only the most important stuff remained. Your method sounds way easier. 😉
Haha, that sounds like my old method. Thing is, now I’m no good at writing a longer synopsis!
Thank you so much, Very helpful!
I’m glad that Google keeps this as one of the top searches for writing a 1 page screenplay synopsis. You’ve helped me write one that I’m proud of:)
THANK YOU SOOZ!!
You’ve had to do that twice. WOW I’ve had to do this 8 times SO FAR. My teacher makes the class. This article is so helpful I use it for an outline.
Great post! I HATE writing the synopsis: it’s the one thing that I still don’t feel comfortable with. I either include too much information, or not enough. Thanks for breaking it down in such a clear way!
You’re welcome! I really hope it helps! 😀
This was VERY helpful! I always go to rambling even on a short one but I really like how you broke it all down. Thanks!!
Yay! I’m glad it’s useful to you, Amber!! Good luck writing it now. 😉
You’re amazing, Susan.
Haha! I certainly like hearing THAT, Gwen. 😉
Sooz, if you were here right now I would kiss you on the lips. BRILLIANT.
Ooh, the lips. This must mean I’m very special, indeed. 😉
I’m going to have to do one of these soon for when I start querying. Just one quick question? I take it these are–like your example–single-spaced with spaces between paragraphs? If I’m horribly off base, please let me know.
Other than that, this is brilliant. It’s my constant referral tool for working on my own. 🙂
You know, I’ve seen it done single-spaced with line breaks between OR double-spaced with 0.5 indent. I think either way works–no one will reject you because of that. I do my short synopses with single-spaced + line breaks, but my longer synopses are double-spaced. Maybe someone else on here will know…?
OMG. THIS IS HEAVENSENT. Thank you so much, Susan!!! This is so very timely for me as it’s on my UBER DREAM LIST 2012 – to get an agent…get published…I need me a rocking’ synopsis. Thanks for the guidance!!!
Well, GOOD LUCK!! And yay! I’m so glad the timing worked out. 😀
Susan, this is a fantastic and useful post. This is one of the hardest tasks we have as writers trying to pitch our work, and you’ve broken it down step by step. Thanks so much!
This is incredible! I love you, Sooz. I’ve bookmarked this, and I know I’ll be referring to it forever.
*flails* Susan, this is spectacular and awesome. Just like you. I’m trying NOT to be an obsessive planner with my current WIP (because it only gives time for that fresh “new” novel idea to spoil). I think writing a synopsis like this will be extremely helpful when planning out the basics of a novel. I definitely plan to refer to this!
You’ve provided us with an easy to follow outline with all the points we need. Wonderful! Thanks!
I’m a little in love with you for reposting this lol Thanks!!
Thanks for posting this! I have to write a synopsis for the first time in the next couple of weeks so I’m going to bookmark this post. 🙂
Awesome post Sooz! Yes, I hate the synopsis and have been avoiding it thus far. Heh. I am looking forward to taking your method for a test drive, though. So far I have not developed my own method. *blush*
I started my novel with an outline, so my synopsis pretty much ready before I started. It only needed to be tweaked slightly after the draft was written.
Great worksheet though! Good to make sure each important plot point is there. Thanks for the post!
This post is a lifesaver. I am positive you are made of sunshine and lollypops!
Thank you for this awesome guideline.
I do have a question:
How do you format the top? For example, I know manuscript form and how to format a query letter, but is there a specially way to format a synopsis? Name? Address? Page numbers? Or is it left blank?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Ya know what!? I found something on Agent Query that will help. Thanks again for the great post.
Hi Angela,
Can I have your guides on synopsis. I have never come across an example yet. Thanks.
Fabulous post. I have one question I hope you can help me with on this. I wrote one following your guidelines, got it down to about 500 words, and was told by others that they thought it needed to be double-spaced, which would put me back at a 2-page synopsis. Is the one-page synopsis single- or double-spaced? Thanks!!
my gawwd…
Sooz is a genius.
this is so helpful.
godbless you woman!
excellent! this will make writing the dreaded synopsis so much easier. i’m afraid i was also an outline whittler – drove me mad! now i will be insane no longer! i love this and will be sharing with others.
Hi Susan! Great post. Hope you’ve been well.
MaryAnn (JAustenwannabe)
Nicely done.
Very helpful! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for this post. It was very helpful. I just submitted my first and I fear it was lacking. This post was very helpful.
This is wonderful. I had a 2K synopsis without any real structure. I’ve shared this with many friends and have had only strong, positive feedback. I’ve gotten requests for this link to the point I’ve bookmarked it. Thank you for this post!
You are smoking hot, Sooz.
Awesome! Its actually awesome article, I have got much clear idea about from this paragraph.
I really really enjoy your article!! Thank you very much!
Thank for the break down it will help me so much.
Upon further review, I just wanted to reassert that you are, indeed, smoking hot, Sooz.
The words ‘one page synopsis’ send shivers down my spine! Thanks for making it so much easier to understand.
NOTE: MAKE SURE that the publisher/agent you’re looking at doesn’t specify single- or double-spaced. I finally boiled my novel down to a page, only to realize I had to half it again! Cutting a 46,000-word book down to 350 wasn’t easy, but it was possible with this technique.
This is awesome, and thanks for the post! My ONE complaint: Darth Vader, not Vadar. ;]
Ha! Gold star to Jake for being the first person in 2 years to catch my spelling mistake!!! I am so *ashamed* to have gotten that wrong. 😉
Yay, I got a star! And maybe a high five? :]
Don’t beat yourself up about it too much, but rather, do so just enough. Haha
I have an actual question, and it could help me out with my homework if you answer. Should the synopsis be presented in a strictly linear fashion? If I were wanting my actual story to have numerous flashbacks, would that be permitted, or something that would be put in place later?
In that situation–if it’s REALLY critical to the plot that you mention the flashback in the synopsis–I would mention it WHEN it happens in the story.
For example, “When John walks into the kitchen for the meeting with his mother, he catches sight of a refrigerator magnet of his family that sends him spiraling into a flashback–a flashback of the day his mother killed his father. Realizing he has walked into a trap, John texts his girlfriend to call the police.”
Does that help?
It does! And I appreciate the haste of your reply! I think my question could be rearranged as so: if you feel the narrative is best served in a non-linear way, do you show that via your synopsis? For example, the main conflict is presented the most, but then the story cuts back further and further to reveal the events that led to the main conflict. Would you write this in your synopsis to reflect how you want to tell the story?
I think you have to decide if your “flashbacks” are typical reveals or a bigger piece of the story structure (e.g. MOMENTO). ALL books have Big Reveal points–areas where the MC/reader learns special backstory or about something happening offstage. My own book, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, is all about Eleanor figuring out what the heck her brother was doing–and as she uncovers clues, it triggers memories that lead to more clues. In my one page synopsis, though, I never mention those memories (there isn’t space) but rather the consequence of the memory.
For example: “She escapes from the opera that night, and she and Daniel break into the dynamite factory. Daniel is caught, but Eleanor manages to save him. When they return to the Spirit-Hunters’ lab, they find it was destroyed while they were gone.”
During that passage, there are actually two massive flashback/memory reveals that give Eleanor all the pieces she needs to solve several mysteries at once. BUT, because I don’t have the space to say all that, I just relay the actions she takes that drive the main plot.
Now, all that said, if your story is a different structure than chronological–e.g. MOMENTO–then I would order your synopsis according to the story order (not according to the chronological passage of events).
Does that help at all?
This really helped out quite a bit! My treatment ended up being something like Memento, where it was progressively going forwards and backwards at the same time. I really appreciate your help! I’ll be on the lookout for more posts by you. :]
Hi Susan,
I don’t normally post, but I wanted to thank you for your one-page synopsis guidelines – they’re the most helpful I’ve ever found. I’ve also discovered that they work really well for longer ones too, just by expanding the information but keeping to the same format. Thank you so much.
Finn
Thank you for this information. Even the movie you used as your example reiterated why I must write and produce my first, full-length, feature film. Thanks for the inspiration. God bless you!
Sincerely,
Jason David Raya
San Diego, CA.
what about a synopsis for a multiple POV novel? I stuck to only one character for the query but I feel like I’d be misrepresenting my novel if I relegate the other four main characters to titles or pronouns. Any advice?
Thank you very much Susan! This nuts-and-bolts step-by-step approach helped me break through the impasse I was suffering with my novel. The tale is, in fact, a multiple POV story with co-protagonists and co-antagonists, but concentrating on one protagonist allowed me to revise the first third of the novel and streamline the plot. The synopsis itself is now flowing after months of struggle!
sooper: what I’m doing is only touching on subplots if the co-protagonists or co-antagonists are involved. It’s not a perfect solution, but I expect a 1-page result…
Thank you so much for this method. I can’t wait to try it.
So I’m about to try this out finally, because last year when I wrote a synopsis it was…well, it was bad. So here’s to hoping this will work!! (which I really think it will 🙂 )
Thanks for compiling and sharing this, and for using SW as your story template. This will help me attack the dreaded Synopsis Beast!
thank you so much. I’m not a writer, but everytime I read a book, I want to write synopsis to it to improve my writing and language skills. Now I will follow your suggestion and write myself synopsis.
I ran across this, looking for help writing a short synopsis for a query package. Best tips and formula I’ve ever seen, and nicely presented. I’m at 600 words and editing, Thank you Susan Dennard.
I do believe this is the best synopsis template floating around in cyberspace. I prefer the showing approach rather than telling me how to write a synopsis. I’m an aspiring Screenwriter so this will come in handy.
I was asked to write a synopsis for a film producer for the script that I am STILL working on, you can imagine the hassle I’m in, I basically stopped writing the script, and did not write the synopsis either :S This should really help considering the story is there with all the details. This will be very useful! Thanks!
Thank you for writing this. It has really helped me.
Thank you. OMG, thank you. I actually managed to write a bloody synopsis without losing ALL of my hair 🙂
Thank you …this really help me
Sooz, I don’t know how to thank you – you have taken away all the fear!
This little tool is just what I have been searching for. It’s also one of those simple devices that remains entirely elusive until someone else points it out and then you think “Aha! Of course!” So, thank you for leading me to the ‘eureka’ moment.
The odd thing is that I have been a great fan of the writings of Joseph Campbell (who was also a great fan of Star Wars) since my teens and so I am very familiar with The Hero’s Journey – but using it in this way never occurred to me before. My novel structure is based on it, so this is just ideal.
Thank you – I’ll be coming back to explore your site further and recommending to my friends. 🙂
Thanks for putting up this article. It really helped me shorten my Synopsis and focus on the “meat” of my story. Hopefully my new synopsis will snag an agent. 🙂 If you ever have time, please check out my web series “Chrome Justice”, my novella “Gemini Error”, and “The Brain Room” on my website. Thanks again, your method is great!
The website for anyone interested is http://www.adpbooks.com. I write reviews for movies and books in section titled “The Brain Room”
This advice is o helpful – thank you.
OMG Thank you. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
what a marvelous shot!! Productive, to the point.. n cut tool !! thnx 🙂
Hi Sooz thank you so much. This will really help me as it is the first time that I have to submit a synopsis. You are brilliant THANKS
Thank you so much for your synopsis tips – timely and fantastic.
Wow, thank you so much. This saved me. I just wrote my shortest and most to-the-point synopsis yet! Thank you!
Great post. I came across it when I googled “Is it redundant or bad form to reiterate description or action in the logline in the synopsis. Part of me says, “You’ve already told them that!,” but another part says “But it’s critical in logically plotting out the story.”
Would welcome your comments.
This has been really useful for me, Susan! Because it doesn’t take into account subplots it’s also fabulous for locking down the outline of short stories when I have a solid idea of the bits I’d like to have happen, and no time to finish a draft.
I had no idea where to start but your breakdown was brilliant. Thank you so much 🙂
I have written five novels, out of which two have come out and three are still in the pipeline. I was required to submit a short synopsis for a film producer and was in a fix to know what to do. Your sample synopsis has give me a timely help for which I am highly obliged to you.
Thanks,
Punshil Kumar
Brilliant thank you. I’m writing my first synopsis and it ain’t pretty. The worksheet is a god send!!!
You are BRILLIANT!
Thank you dear Sussan for sharing this piece of gathered information, knowldge and experiences! I found it very useful! Best wishes and greetings from LJubljana, SLOvenia.
This is brilliant! I’m on a time-limit with the publisher so this has helped so much! Really easy to put together my synopsis, much better than my first draft! :L
Thanks so much for this post. It makes perfect sense. I can’t wait to try it. Wait….. that might be a little strong, but I’m sure that it will make it much less painful. 😉
I used this post for my first book and I’ve tracked it down again! Love it!!!
Thanks Susan, I am entering my screenplay into a Film Festival competition (my first one), the winner gets to be produced. It really is important I get the synopsis right, your advice will be a great help. The Screen Australia definition of a synopsis is pretty dry compared to yours. It helps being a Star Wars kid to.
Marry me.
This is great, really useful tips and advice. Thinking about reworking my synopsis so will refer to this again. Thank you.
It’s Wonderful.Thank You so much.Now, I will write my Script with much confidence. Visnu Nagarajan
Great breakdown Sooz, I’ll share this with my Greater Seattle Women Who Write Meetup. But shouldn’t the protagonist make a 180º?
Sooz – I have been searching for 3 days for the best synopsis ‘how-to’. You win! Thanks for taking the time…the ‘Star Wars’ analogy is a perfect guideline.
You are my savior. I had no clue how to write as synopsis and less than two weeks to do it. This is like a road map. Thanks.
Wow. This has been the most helpful synopsis writing method I’ve come across. It’s really helped me condense my 10-15 page attempts into a neat and tidy 1 1/2 pages. Awesome! Thanks. 🙂
So helpful! Thanks for posting!!!!
Just lovely. Thank you. The tangible examples really helped give your “steps” context. By the way, gold star for me, too. It’s MEMENTO, not MOMENTO.
I am struggling to write synopsis and Treatment for my feature film….am so stressed
Really great advice. Takes all the mystery out of how to write a good synopsis. Thank you, thank you!
You should get some kind of award or a prize for this- free chocolate for life, or whatever gets you through editing. Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you it really helps me…..
This is brilliant!
I do have a question though – I have just completed the first book in a trilogy. The ending is of course, in the third book – how do I then do the synopsis? Do I need to mention it’s a trilogy? Do I only mention what happens in the first book?
Many thanks.
Would you possibly have something like this for a picture book. I’ve written and illustrated a story and having a very hard time getting through the synopses part.
I have the same question to Sooz as you had. How to write a 1-page snopsis for a picture book. Did you ever get a response or have you found a format like Sooz has for picture books?
I’m reading this WAY after you posted it, but it just helped me bang out a synopsis with a lot less hair-pulling and teeth-grinding than I thought 🙂 Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for a very understandable guide on the short synopsis. They are such a devilish thing to deal with but oh, so necessary.
I’ve got 2 words for you Susan: Life Saver.
Please don’t tell my wife, but I owe you a huge hug! Thank you for your work putting this together. It is the most insightful, clear, and concise description of a synopsis I’ve found. You’ll be the third to hear if all works out for me!
Thanks for the wonderful tip. I’ll soon have to write a synopsis for the first time and it’s good to know how to get started.
Thank you so much for this invaluable template! It helped me tremendously improve my synopsis.
The fact that you had an example, and one from a very famous movie, made it that much easier to follow!
I’m in your debt :)!
I just pushed through my own very first ever synopsis (four novels, one synopsis), thanks in large measure to this post, but I should point out that the technique you suggest here is not necessarily 100% successful. My stories are very much more character-driven than plot-driven, so focusing on the plot elements as the turning points of the synopsis can occasionally be unhelpful. I’ve been blogging about some of these points on my own site.
http://authorguy.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/plot-point-one/
Agent Michelle L. Johnson shared this on Facebook . . . and thank goodness. You’ve given me hope that I can actually boil my book down. Great post!
I love this but your use of the word “variate” distracts and detracts from your message. I think you mean “vary your sentence structure.” Variate is a mathematical term for “random,” I believe. Thanks for listening.
This is like love at first sight. I call this hitting the bull’s eye. I have a request from a popular Hollywood film agent to send a one to seven page synopsis for my allegorical fantasy story. Just one click after I googled for synopsis. I got ‘Miss Right’ waiting for me. I pray I get through the hurdles and get my story into film you are part of my success story.
Hi – this is brilliant and thanks so much for sharing. Feel like a cloud has been lifted! Thanks from a low-life pilot and the pilot’s hairy, alien friend.
Thank you very much.
This has been really useful for me, Susan.The contents are masterwork. you have done a great process on this topic.What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how about unexpected emotions.
Great post, it really provided a great roadmap. It doesn’t hurt that Star Wars is also my favorite movie. : )
Thank you!
I hate having to write a synopsis! And if I thought a one page synopsis was bad, I am required for a class project to condense the summary of a long book down into half a page! Howwwww…?!/1\???E#(#%)@
Just found this site, and your outline is awesome! I got my 9-year-old son into Star Wars, and found this site while he happened to be watching the movie in the other room. Easy plotline to relate to, and this setup you have takes a lot of the struggle out of trying to create a decent synopsis. Thanks.
Thank you, Susan. How generous of you to share this information! I think one of the greatest advantages of writing a synopsis is to clarify thinking about the story or script or any other form of writing. This is an opportunity to find inconsistencies, learn if your story really is compelling, identify needed changes and much more. All by writing a synopsis.
Albert Einstein is to relativity as you are to synopses. Absolutely brilliant! Thank you!!
Hi…thanks so much for the ‘how to.’ I am not a writer, by no means, but am having to write a synopsis in order to possibly have a human interest story told.
The reason for this post is that I would encourage you to look into the meaning of ‘rule of thumb.’ I refrain from ever using it after learning its origin.
It is also an interesting fact. Have an awesome day.
“It was legal for men to beat their wives, as long as they used a stick no bigger than their thumb.” At least that’s the Boondock Saints version. I tend to associate the saying with the image of painters holding up their thumbs to judge whatever it is painters judge with their thumbs.
Actually, the wife-beating origin is not true. The thumb was a measurement used in several applications. Yes, wife-beating was–and continues to be, in some cultures–legal, but we may use “rule of thumb” without pain.
Hi, this is great stuff. I’m using this and love it, and it does remind me of the Save the Cat book, and the basic breakdown for movie script. That one is also brilliant, and so are you. Thanks for saving me a ton of trouble.
Hi Susan, you distilled a complex issue. Synopsis writers couldn’t have come across a better guideline. Thanks. Keep it up.
This is and incredibly useful tool. Thanks so much for sharing it!
This is AMAZING! Thank you so much. You were right – I even had fun while writing my synopsis because this format is so helpful.
I don’t mind the synopsis, when its more than 2 pages! haha. This is really helpful, and I might try to use it for my WIP before its finished…. so much for being a pantser!
My question: I’ve heard that in synopsis, names are supposed to be in capital letters. True or false? And when minor characters are referred to as THE WAITRESS, are they also capitalized?
From the “Midpoint” section:
“…causes the MC to make a 360 degree change…”
Don’t you mean a 180 degree change?
Thanks so much for this example. I used it to revise my memoir’s movie synopsis to make it the story I want to show. One step flowed into the next, into the next. Now I have a coherent story that I want to watch/read.
Very helpful information. In fact, you could start with a synopsis after writing an outline to begin a project. Also, in writing a synopsis it helps clarify a project and can show where holes exist and changes need to be made. Thanks for the posting!
Really enjoyed your post as I’m trying to to write a novel synopsis now.
I also write screenplays, and realised your template is from a screenplay writer called Blake Snyder and his book ‘Save the Cat’, what a great read. It demystifies screen writing, but has 15 steps instead of your 8. Well done for simplifying the beat sheet even further!
Thanks Sooz. I was able to pass high school English by luck, Classic Comics and B.S. Writing now, as an old man, the synopsis business had me baffled.I wish I had you for a teacher back in the 50s. If a 72 year old high school drop out can grasp it you have done your job well.
I owe you my LIFE FOR THIS. *_* THANK YOU.
So simple. I had to write a 300 word synopsis for a silent film – not an easy task – this helped me understand exactly what needed to be said, which I found difficult given that my film has no character names or any written/spoken language.
🙂
Hi Sooz, I’m just wondering, is there a rule of thumb re word count for a synopsis? Only our book is a little diferent from most, as there are two, concurrent, stories running at the same time. One character is in the present, the other in the past, and our chapters alternate until they meet. In fact, then there is a third story, as the hero brings his damsel-in-distress back to the present day! With three sub-synopsies, (Is that even a word?!) we’ll be lucky to get it under 900 words, though still on two pages. Advice?
Hello, I’d just like to ask you what I should do if my book has three main characters whose POV’s come up the most.
I have two protagonists and one antagonists as my MCs.
They are all going about their own lives and do not meet until much later in the book.
Please advise me on how to write a synopsis on such?
I have exactly the same problem, can’t wait to get tips on this. The modern query structure seems to skew the market towards the more linear stories, it seems to me.
I agree. I cannot find an article anywhere relating to our problem
Maybe there’s a query structure for literary fiction that would work better for us. Something that works with multiple characters and their individual plot threads driving the story.
Please post if you find something. I have the same issue.
I found this which might help: http://www.annemini.com/?cat=1965
It looks like “Sooz” doesn’t respond to this post anymore.
Thank you Sooz,
You made it a lot easier. I love the examples.
This was actually super helpful. I don’t know how many synopsis drafts I’ve made for my current piece, but just starting with those first few “fill in the blanks” actually cut out a lot of my useless intro filler and it made all of the other points fall together easily. No joke, my “I think this is as good as it’s going to get” version was 4 pages of the 2-5 page option. I’ve now got 1.5 pages of key plot and a surprisingly large amount of character drama. Once I get it properly formatted with all of the necessary contact info and sequel outline, I should be sitting pretty with a 3 page max!
So thank you for your help! So glad you shared!
Thank you so much for this. It was exactly what I was looking for right now. I was told to check out your blog for information like this from my trusted CP, and you did not disappoint. Thank you again!
Thank you! I had course material–that I paid for–telling me, “Don’t leave anything out!” But try turning a 400 page multi point-of-view epic into one page without leaving something out! I was angsting over every word, but still knew it was hopeless. This formula was a tremendous help. You saved me pulling my hair out!
just wanted to let you know the phrase “rule of thumb” comes from way back when men were not allowed to beat a woman with a stick not thicker then there thumb. just thought you should know as you use this a lot in your post…..
Reminds me of Boondock Saints.
Thank you so much for this very helpful worksheet !!!
I was dreading the exercise, but not so much now… Can’t wait to start of my syno, but first I wanted to say thank you. 🙂
I’m writing one with a 250 word limit.
It’s for the first of a four book series.
I can’t find any info about writing this.
Do four book arcs get put in?
Couldn’t show resolution.
Did I mention how hard it is having a 250 word limit?
Grr. Arg.
Sooz, thank you very much for sharing this invaluable information. It’s also nice to see how many other writers, like myself, dread the synopsis. Your concise explanation made it so much less painful.
Appreciatively yours,
Frustrated synopsis writer 🙂
This helped me a lot actually! As an aspiring writer, the synopsis and the query are the two things that frighten me the most. I’ve just written the first draft of the synopsis of my manuscript.
Thank you for this handy guide!
Thank’s so much for useful information. For me ( I’m russian author) this article is smth fantastic! But I have also one question.. may be two))
1). Who can tell me where I must put acount of author’s sheets in synopsis, and must I do this ??
2). in what format font and fields must be written synopsis?
I need to send 3 chapters and a synopsis to British agent.
Help me please, people))))
This article completely saved me. I’ve been struggling for weeks to write a 750-word synopsis for my WIP novel, and kept coming up with 2,000-word ramblings. With this format, I was able to write something concise, clean, and engaging in 749 words.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t say it enough: THANK YOU!
my god, i’m just about to start and must say this is the BEST synopsis guide in the WHOLE of the internet..im a 15 year old student and have written a sci-fi book(coincidences, much?) and this site gave me a literal WORKSHEET to fill out…thank you susan!
The objection, of course, being that most films are short-story or novella length. It would be much more impressive if you pulled this off with “Dune” or “American Gods.” Most books I have read say “one page per 25,000 words.” For most novels, this would be two to three pages formatted as follows…. A) double-spaced, B) 1″ margin, 3) using 12-point Times New Roman as the font. This gives you about 950 words.
I think my synopsis for my 84K word novel ended up being about 750 words, so this sounds more realistic to me.
thanks a lot! thanks for your effort! God bless!
Hi Sooz!
Thanks so much for this article! I’m a Dutch writer, longing to improve my synopses.
Whilst Googling, I didn’t find anything useful in Dutch. Then I found this page!
My synopsis is ready now, next week I will send it together with the first 50 pages of the MS to the publishers!
I have never had such a great synopsis, I’ve followed all your steps and made it exactly like you describe. I’m confident I will finally score a great publisher!
I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks again, this article RULES!
Perfect! This is why your the writer and the rest of us are the readers!
~chris
Just found this and thought it to be very useful and reassuring.
I’m submitting the first three chapters and synopsis in the coming week (for Hodderscape’s open author call), and haven’t written a fiction synopsis before. Some practice writing abstracts for academic articles and project proposals though, that might have made this easier for me than for others.
As it is, I wrote a two page synopsis (1014 words) yesterday for what will hopefully be a ca. 80-90k novel (murder mystery fantasy themed). Then thought it would be good to actually check what was needed in a synopsis. Turns out I hit most of the points instinctively.
Only thing where i strayed from the rules of thumb, was that I have named five main characters instead of just three. Narrator/falsely accused, her fiance/Victim, the Investigator, the actual Villain and a recurring character for (if it turns into) a series and who will be the narrator for a later book.
I wrote Times New Roman fonts size 11, with 1.5 line-spacing and indented paragraphs. Margins are about 1.5 inches each, and the page doesn’t look to crowded.
Thanks for the suggestions here. Again, they have proved very useful to cross-check against.
If I could put this article in a box I’d send it as a Christmas present to every querying writer on the planet. I’ve read a lot, and I mean a lot of synopsis advice, do’s and don’t’s. This is by far the best article I’ve come across.
I wrote my synopsis before I read this and it was almost creepy to read your questions and see the answers pop up in my own work, as if I’d unconsciously followed your advice.
Lots of thanks.
So, since you made the synopsis this easy, any chance you’ve written a how-to on writing a query? I was able to write my first draft of a synopsis in one sitting thanks to this handy-dandy instruction sheets. I’ve been banging my head against the wall to the point the wall (not my head anymore lol) is bleeding. It’s three weeks later, and I still can’t do it well.
Hi Lynn!
We have a lot of resources on querying and writing queries at PubCrawl. Check the tag Query Tips, or this post by Erin Bowman (Querying: The Dos and Don’ts and a Worksheet), or this post by S. Jae-Jones (The Art of Writing Copy).
Best,
The PubCrawl Crew
You’re a sensation.
Best post on this in all the webiverse.
Thank you for an amazing article. It helped me streamline my 318-pg novel into a one-page synopsis–in one day! You can imagine my excitement in completing something so arduous for writers. It would also make a great exercise when first creating a plot line. Thanks again. You shrunk a mountain down to a molehill. 🙂
Thank you for this, from the bottom and top and middle of my heart.
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed AND the example was perfect.
Thank you so much! This just helped me write a one-page synopsis earlier in my project than I’ve ever managed before. And now it will be an awesome guide pulling me back to my writing desk. 🙂
But then how would you write a Watchmen synopsis without making it look like too nonsense or really stupid? There is an infinity of odd main characters and they all serve a great purpose to the plot. If you’re going to name only three people who would stay out? Dr. Manhattan? The Comedian? Nite Owl? Silk Spectre? Rorschach? Ozymandias? The story structure would pretty much fall apart if you pull any of them out.
True. This is a very specialized case, with one MC, one conflict, one villain. It doesn’t help with multiples in any parameter, or none.
Thank you so much! 🙂
I have attempted to write a synopsis for my novel so many times but I keep putting in too much information and treating it like a story in it’s own right.
I have been looking for a page like this for a long time, hoping someone would use a story I know well as an example of how a synopsis should be structured. YAY!
You are a gem!
This is a fantastic method – I’ve finally managed to get my synopsis to under 400 words while also conveying the main plot points. The Star Wars analogy was so helpful, not just because the plot is familiar but also because there is so much extraneous detail in that world and you show how to cut through it. Thank you!
Thank you Sooz! With your method, I’ve gotten my 4 page synopsis right down to 556 words. I just have to whittle it down but that will happen eventually. You’re a beaut!
You gave God’s work a synopsis in one page, Susan. 😉
Sooz, like all of the others who valued your article, I really got a lot out of it and I feel like a big burden has been removed from me. Using the Star Wars story was perfect – an excellent illustration. Although my book is written as a journal, I wasn’t really sure how I would approach writting this synopsis. But you have made it a lot less daunting, and like you said, even kinda fun. Thanks again for helping us get through this once grievous part of our submissions. Thank you again. – Roger
I would say that the black moment is not just about Ben dying, but mainly about the falcon being tracked back to Yavin 4. If they don’t stop them, the empire will end the rebellion in one swift stroke.
The black moment for Luke is when Ben dies. The tracking of the Falcon to Yavin was a piece of plot-driving stupidity. Clearly if you’re being tracked you go somewhere else and change ships.
This is awesome! I have a question about the Star Wars synopsis, though (not a nitpick, I swear!) – you’ve left out the destruction of Alderaan. Presumably you think it’s not worth the words, and of course not every little thing can make the synopsis, but it would be interesting to hear exactly what criteria you use for determining what does and doesn’t make the cut. Thanks again for a very informative piece!
Great tool! I have a story where the protagonist enters further along in the chronological story line. He appears at the beginning of the novel, but events happen prior to in flashbacks that . Should my synopsis follow the chronological order and describe the flashbacks in the Opening Image?
Thanks for sharing your method.
Do you have one for writing treatments for a screenplay?
Nice. Thanks
This is exactly what I was looking for Sooz, so thank you very much.
I’m in the last quarter of my novel and had been wracking my brains about how to start a synopsis and your guide was so perfectly simple and logical, I ended up writing it in about thirty minutes.
In retrospect, it seemed easier to write the book itself, but this guide was invaluable.
Cheers!
TIGER WOODS LTD GH/USA
EBOLA SCRIPT FOR SALE
Synopsis
A TEAM OF CHEMICAL FOUNDATION CREATES A VIRUS AND ITS ANTIDOTE TO MAKE MONEY. THEY COME TO WEST AFRICAN TOWN OF MISIPI AND INJECTS THE VIRUS TO BUSH ANIMALS THAT ARE WIDELY CONSUMED IN THE COUNTRY. THE VIRUS KILLS SEVERAL PEOPLE. THEY COME BACK AS WOLUNTEERS TO HELP ARREST THE SITUATION. THE TRUTH IS UNRAVELED WHEN A JOURNALIST LOSES HIS GIRLFRIEND WHO HAPPENS TO BE A NURSE TO THE VIRUS. HE DOES UNDERCOVER JOURNALISM TO UNRAVEL THE SECRETS
CAST
PRESIDENT ALICE BROWN
VICE PRESIDENT SAMUEL MURPHY
MIN. OF HEALTH VICTOR STEVENS
SAVE AFRICA FOUNDATION
CHAIRMAN – PROF. BOB ROCKSON
SECRETARY- ANNA CAMPBELL
HEAD OF CHEMICAL UNIT- JIMMY WHITEFIELDS
SPECIAL AGENT1- KELVIN TOWNSEND
SPECIAL AGENT2- GRACE KELLY
PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL ASSOCIATION- DR. SAMPSON
JOURNALIST- FRANK
NURSE- RITA
YOUTH LEADER- ZIMRAN
TIGER WOODS LTD GH/USA
TIGER WOODS LTD GH/USA
COPYRIGHT OWNER BY PRINCE ONYEKA EZE C.E.O OF TIGER WOODS LTD GHANA/USA
Copyright 2010 Ghana Copyright Office. All Rights Reserved. Developed by: SBJ Ventures and Proweb Solutions
This was totally awesome! Thank you so much Susan you’re the best. I am a beginner screenwriting and I was struggling with my synopsis when I stumbled across this. Thanks a bunch.
After scrolling for 5 minutes to get to the bottom of the rants of how amazingly awesome this is, I finally get to add my voice to the chorus! I already had a 2-page synopsis, made out of condensing each chapter down to a line or two, but thought this might be better. OMFG!!! What a great tool! I cut-and-paste your questions and examples, put in my story, then deleted out the original. 496 words and it is interesting and engaging.
I cannot divorce my wife because I love her, and our 3 kids, but I am otherwise yours for the taking. I can probably get rid of this writer’s pot-belly with a few thousand sit-ups.
If my meeting with the agent 1:1 on March 25th at the writer’s conference goes well, I’ll rethink my divorce stance (you lucky girl, you).
After struggling for days with my synopsis I was about to give up. Thank you, Sooz for a wonderful
template to work with. I’m ready to give it another go.
I’m obviously late to the party, but I still wanted to thank you for writing this. Yours is the most clear instruction for writing a synopsis that I have found online. Really well-written and easy to understand.
I practiced query letters and blurbs in a fiction class, but the synopsis is new, and I’m writing one this week for a contest entry. Mine’s for middle grade fiction, and it’s supposed to be on the short side (under 250 words) so I will need to be extra ruthless in my edits:) Thanks again!
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found tha it is really informative.
I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue thuis in future.
Numerous people will be benefied from your writing.
Cheers!
Thanks Sooz! This is amazing. I used it to write my own synopsis and about two hours later I have something I’m really happy with. Love your work!
I like what you write about the story of SYNOPSIS. it’s touched easy to understand and oustanding in crowd .Thank you so much Susan
Thanks U
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That was a great article , I’m struggling with first synopsis this made it seem so simple thank you .
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thank you, great example, now its much clear what should i writte
Dear Sooz,
That was very helpful, i wish i could re present the synopsis for my movie in the same manner.
under 500 words, its really very clear and a neat cover of entire story.
Thank you
Kishore P
Film Maker
India
You are a life saver.. thanks alot
By far the best synopsis template and help I’ve found on the internet. It’s helped me go on to sell seven titles and I still use it today! (I tried to not use it once with dire effects). Thank you very much for putting this out there!
I know this is a pretty old thread now, but I just wanted to say that I’ve been struggling with a one-pager for a while now and this really helped. I wasn’t convinced that it would. But it did! So thank you.
I did it! 437 words! I could even afford to spice it up a bit.
Thank you!
Thank you. This really helped me prepare my synopsis. Especially the parts about leaving out subplots and support characters. Started at about 1.5 words and was able to trim it down to 446.
An excellent guide, you have been.
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I know that writing posts takes a lot of time, but you can always help yourself
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For me trying to explain how to write one to an author colleague of mine was horrible, so I thought I’d find something on the web to help him out. Searched and searched and found nothing but crap, but then I found yours.
Best damn ‘How To’ I have ever seen put together bar-none; hands down!!!
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Thank you so much for this. I spent nearly three hours writing a synopsis only to find out it was way too long. One look at this article and I had one done in 20 minutes, and I’m much more confident in it. This is a real lifesaver!
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SO grateful for this..thank you SO much!!
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Thanks for this article! Very helpful. If its a synopsis for book 1 in a series do you have to give away the end of the series or just details leading to the end of book 1?
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I know you wrote this quite a while ago, but I found it yesterday. I’ve been grappling with a synopsis I need to write and was browsing around, hoping for something that would help. Found your article and thought, can’t hurt, let’s give this a try.
And it so totally worked. I have bookmarked this article so I can refer to it again.
The way you outlined your process and used examples was so, SO helpful. Thank you for posting this.
I agree. This is the first time I’ve got my synopsis down to a single page. Oh, how I wish I’d found this before. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing Starwars broken down, helped so much. I will be using it again.
Thank you so much for this method. This is very helpful !