How to Write a Synopsis

Most writers would gladly write another novel instead of a synopsis. But like flossing and dinner with the in-laws, it is unavoidable and essential.

First of all, keep it simple. It's like a query, but with an ending.

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Compare it to making soup; throw all the stuff in, let it simmer, reduce and keep reducing until it's done.

Step 1. Start by organizing your story in fifteen sentences. I like to use Blake Snyder's beat sheet.

Step 2. Trim it down. Be ruthless. Subplots can go. Focus on the main character's journey. They should learn something by the end of the novel. 

Step 3. Have someone who hasn't read your book go over the synopsis. It should make sense to them with a clear idea of the story. Surprisingly, a theme you never intended, will usually become obvious once you draw up your synopsis. 

As an example, here's a synopsis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which I trimmed down from the Plot Like a Pro post.


Ten-year-old Harry Potter lives with his spiteful Aunt and Uncle, and abusive cousin. He is repeatedly reminded how lucky he is to have a roof over his head, despite the fact his parents had the audacity to get killed in a car accident when he was an infant.

But when mysterious letters keep arriving for Harry, his Uncle isn't upset, he's downright terrified. One night, a massive man with a woolly coat and beard arrives to announce that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy is waiting for Harry's reply.

Harry is stunned to learn the true nature of his parent's death at the hands of an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort, and as a young wizard, he's due to start his magical education at Hogwarts.

Harry fears that he will not fit in, having never been exposed to magic. He is befriended by a stuttering, Professor Quirrell. During the sorting ceremony, Harry chooses to be in Gryffindor as opposed to Slytherin—the house which Lord Voldemort was placed as a student.

Harry learns a magical item that grants immortality, The Philosopher's Stone, has gone missing. After a Slytherin student tricks Harry into a midnight duel, he discovers a trap door guarded by a three headed dog and he speculates what's being protected.

Harry is pleased to discover he's a natural at Quidditch, a football style game played on broomsticks, and he enjoys the admiration from his classmates.

Having never been given presents, Harry has the best Christmas at Hogwarts with his new friends. He anonymously receives an invisibility cloak, which enables him to sneak around looking for clues about the trapdoor. Instead, he finds 'the mirror of erised'. In the reflection of the magical glass, Harry sees himself with his parents. He forgets about his real friends, choosing to spend all his time looking into the mirror.

While serving detention in the forbidden forest, Harry witnesses the murder of a unicorn and is saved by Firenze, one of the centaurs, who foretells that Lord Voldemort will once again rise to power. Harry realizes the man who murdered his parents will be coming for him next.

Fearing Snape, the head of Sytherin and the mean spirited potions master, is going to steal the Philosophers Stone to make the elixir of life for Lord Voldemort, Harry and his two best friends go down the trapdoor, hoping to grab it first.

After passing harrowing tests of skill through a series of chambers, Harry is the last one left to find the stone. With only a first year's knowledge of magic, he must face Snape alone. But Harry discovers Professor Quirrell is the real villain at Hogwarts who has been helping Lord Voldemort.

Knowing his parents died saving him, Harry feels overwhelming courage and finally believes in the power of their love. Harry defeats Quirrell (and Lord Voldemort) by using the mirror of erised.

Harry recuperates and accepts magic as his true destiny. The friends he's made at Hogwarts are his real family, and that he will never be alone again.

What are some of your tips to writing a synopsis?

Congratulations, you made it to the end of the post. Enjoy this link to a fabulous recipe for chicken stew with butternut squash.


 

 

 

Plot Like A Pro

With NaNoWriMo now in full swing, get a leg up with this 15 sentence break down using the Blake Snyder beat sheet. And because I love examples, I've used Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

1. Opening Image (a normal day in the life of your protagonist)

Ten year old, Harry Potter lives with his spiteful Aunt and Uncle, and abusive cousin. He is repeatedly reminded how lucky he is to have a roof over his head, despite the fact his parents had the audacity to get killed in a car accident when he was an infant.

2. Theme stated (what the story is REALLY about)

Harry frees the snake from the zoo just by talking to it, but this isn't the first time weird things have happened around Harry. Never experiencing any comfort  from his adoptive relations when these 'weird things' would happen, Harry often feels unwanted and shunned for being different.

3. Set-up (the bump in the normal life that foreshadows the catalyst)

Harry keeps receiving letters from Hogwarts that his Uncle refuses to let him open.

Post!
photo credit, blueroomblog.com

4. Catalyst (the inciting incident)

Hagrid arrives and surprises Harry with the true nature of his parent's death at the hands of an evil wizard name Lord Voldemort, and as a young wizard, he's due to start his magical education at Hogwarts.

5. Debate (main character has a struggle with inner question; should tie in with theme)

Harry fears that he will not fit in at Hogwarts, having never been exposed to magic. The huge legacy left by his parent's death is a curse as he tries to live up to everyone's expectations.

6. Break into two (protagonist must make a proactive decision)

During the sorting hat ceremony, Harry chooses to be in Gryffindor as opposed to Slytherin; the first stand he has ever made for himself, and a sign that he can control his own destiny.

NOT Slytherin!
photo credit, article.wn.com

7. B story (usual a romance or behind the scenes conflict that will rear it's head in the finale)

Harry learns that The Philosophers Stone was stolen from Gringotts the day he and Hagrid were there. After Draco tricks Harry into a midnight duel, he discovers a trap door guarded by a three headed dog.

8. The Promise of the Premise (This is when the main character explores the new world and the audience is entertained; the heart of the book)

Quidditch! Harry is a natural seeker and gets admiration from his classmates. When Hagrid gives him some information by mistake, he matches wits with Ron and Hermione to find out what's hidden under the trapdoor.

9. Midpoint (This is when everything is “great” or “awful”. The stakes are raised higher when another complication is thrown in the path of your protagonist)

Having never been given proper presents from the Dursley's, Harry has the best Christmas ever at Hogwarts, and receives an invisibility cloak, which enables him to sneak around looking for more clues about the trapdoor. Instead, he finds 'the mirror of erised' which shows him with his parents. Harry soon becomes obsessed and forgets about his real friends, choosing to spend all his time looking into the glass. 

10. Bad guys close in (Doubt, fear, and enemies, gang up to defeat the main character’s goal; the "great”/“awful” situation disintegrates.)

After eavesdropping on Snape threatening Professor Quirrell, and a nasty leg bite from a particular three headed dog, Harry is convinced that Snape is trying to steal the Philosophers Stone.

11. All is Lost – The moment that the main character realizes they’ve lost everything they gained, or everything they now have has no meaning. Something or someone dies. It can be physical or emotional, but the death of something old makes way for something new to be born.

While serving detention in the forbidden forest, Harry witnesses the murder of a unicorn and is saved by Firenze, one of the centaurs, who foretells that Lord Voldemort will once again rise to power. Harry realizes that the man who murdered his parents will be coming for him next. This is the first time Harry sees the evil that can exist in this new magical world.

photo credit, album.aufeminin.com

12. Dark Night of the Soul – The main character hits bottom. Grieving the "death" of their—dream? goal? mentor character? love of their life? etc. But it is in this darkest moment when they have their epiphany...

Fearing that Snape is going to steal the Philosophers Stone to make the elixir of life for Lord Voldemort, Harry goes to Dumbledore only to find he's been called away. Knowing none of the other professors will believe him, Harry feels powerless and must put his own life on the line to try and stop Snape.

13. Break Into Three (Choosing Act Three) – Thanks to a fresh idea, new inspiration, or last-minute advice from the B Story (usually the love interest), the main character chooses to try again.

After Ron is beaten unconscious at chess, and Hermione figures out the complicated wizard riddle, Harry is the only one who can move forward to the last chamber. With only a first year's knowledge of magic, he must face Shape alone. But Hermione reminds him that he IS a wizard, and the only chance they have at stopping Snape.

 14. Finale – This time around, the main character incorporates the Theme – the nugget of truth that now makes sense to them – into their fight for the goal because they have experience from the A Story and context from the B Story.

Harry discovers Professor Quirrell is trying to steal the stone for Lord Voldemort, not Snape. Knowing his parents died saving him, Harry feels an overhwelming connection to them and believes in the power of their love. With his previous knowledge, Harry defeats Quirrell (and Lord Voldemort) by using the mirror of erised.

Uh-oh. Don't look under the turban.
photo credit, agataviscomwrodpress.com

15. Final Image – opposite of Opening Image, proving, visually, that a change has occurred within the character.

Harry recuperates and realizes the friend's he's made at Hogwarts are like a real family to him, and that he is no longer alone. Hagrid gives him an album of his parents to remind him of where he came from and where he really belongs.

I hope this helps your writing. Now go tackle that novel like a champ!

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Five Literary Inventions I Wish Were Real

I'm convinced my life would be so much easier with the following:

1. The Invisibility Cloak from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

Think of the sneaking around you can do! Be careful of eavesdropping though, sometimes you don't want to hear what others really think of you (especially Professor Snape).




photo credit, telegraph.co.uk

2. Pixie Dust from Peter Pan and Wendy.

Imagine having the ability to fly on your own, without aid from a broomstick or a magic carpet!
Rush hour traffic? Not for you. Late for a date? No worries. Need to get to class before the bell rings? Easy peasy.

photo credit, dncompute.com

3. The Everlasting Gobstopper from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It's candy. No explanation needed.

photo credit, whenfallsthecoliseum.com

4. The Blade from The Subtle Knife.

Slice through parallel universes and bend the space/time continuum? Sure, okay. Plus, I bet you can make a salad in seconds.

photo credit, philip-pullman.com

5. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

Okay, he's not technically an invention, but he is made up and totally awesome. And since it's my blog, I'll bloody well put him here if I want. And yes, I want Mr. Darcy.




photo credit, charismaarts.com

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

*SWOON*


What other literary inventions would you like to have?

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Ka-Boom! How To Write A Nail Biting Climax

Elliott and ET race to his spaceship
photo credit, smh.com.au 

In most cases it's the climax and resulting conclusion that stay with the reader long after the book is shelved, and therefore has the greatest impact. For a writer, the goal is to provide an ending that makes sense of everything but also generates a deeper understanding.

Every successful novel has three elements; a beginning that hooks the reader (the unreachable goal for the protagonist), a middle that sets up the crisis (what prevents our hero from obtaining his goal), and the climax (what he's forced to do to reach the goal) which leads to a resolution.

Harry discovers Quirrell not Snape is the two faced villain
photo credit, agatavision.com

Simply put, the climax is the moment of crisis when the protagonist has no way out and has to make a decision or act in such a way to reach the story goal. Up to this point, the reader has observed the hero struggle to reach the story goal and is familiar with his particular behavior or pattern of problem solving. It's this personality trait that either helps or hinders him.

Deckard barely hangs on in Blade Runner
photo credit, atthelighthouse.blogspot.com

The moment the stakes are highest our hero is faced with the toughest situation. In order to solve the story goal he must choose to stick with the same behavior or switch to an alternative. However, each choice comes with the risk of failure or loss of whatever he values most.

Sheriff Brody running out of boat in JAWS
photo credit, reflectionsontvandfilm.blogspot.com

TENSION

Think 'danger and opportunity'. Our hero has to make a decision to save the story goal, but we don't know if it's the right one until the very end. All we know is that he's doomed if he does nothing, but at the same time there's an unseen/unexpected potential for growth or new beginning.

EXPLANATIONS

Depending on how you want your story to end, helps determine what questions or issues need clarifying. Once you've established what should be answered, imagine an extensive, irreversible event that will force those issues to be addressed.

YOGURT

Like bacteria that continue to live and grow, your protagonist should have evolved from who he was at the awesome beginning that hooked us in the first place. It's imperative to show how our hero's behavior is challenged by pursuing the story goal. Ultimately, it's the decision the hero makes in the end that leads to personal growth and showcases the moral or theme of the story.

A reader will invest hours of time into your novel, make sure their last impression is the greatest one.

Next week, I'll be blogging how to nail your ending.

Cheers!