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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Dreaded Synopsis

by Ann Lethbridge

Last time on this blog I talked about what I am hoped to see in a contest first three chapters. This time I promised to talk about the dreaded synopsis.

I am not at all surprised by the terror many people show when the S word is mentioned. I still struggle with them, even though I have five books published and now write my stories only on proposal i.e. all my editor sees before she buys a book, is a synopsis. So I guess they had better be good enough for her to want to buy the book. I think one of the most important bits of help I ever received was from my editor. She asked “What is keeping them apart?”

Most stories have a plot or they wouldn’t be a story. Writers of romance novels have a much harder time than a writer of mystery for example. You have to write two plots. The story plot and the romance plot. And for each of those stories, there has to be tension and conflict and resolution.

What I often see in synopses I judge, is the romance taking second place to the story plot. It is mentioned here and there, they start liking each other, they go to bed, it all ends happily ever after when they realize they should be together.

If you want to catch an editor’s eye, the romance plot has to drive the story. Why they can’t be together needs to drive why they take certain steps and actions as they move through the external plot.

I have a published friend who can make me cry when I read her black moment and her resolution in her proposal synopsis. If you can do that, you are going to hook an editor. This requires focus on the relationship and reason to care about the characters. And why, after all they have gone through, they cannot be together and how that is resolved.

I usually try to wind up my story plot, the solving of the crime, the identification of the bad guy, the achieving of the goal and have it actually be the worst moment in the relationship. They solve the problem and all is lost. Then you have to bring them back together in their romance plot.

One way to see how you are doing with balance between plot and romance plot, is to highlight your synopsis. Blue for everything related to the external plot, pink for everything to do with the romantic plot. Be honest now! In a five page synopsis one would expect to see very little in pink among the blue at the beginning, the initial denied attraction, maybe, then a kiss, and some more denial. Around page 3 pink and blue should be about even, working together, still aware that it can’t be, but being swept up in a relationship that they are fighting, with the reasons they are fighting it and what the dire consequences are if they give in. Meanwhile, they are dealing with their external events. Around the middle/end of page four you might see the end of blue altogether and the rest of the synopsis is all pink, the black moment of why they can never be together and the resolution. Of course the external plot can go right to the end, but the relationship has to be there with it.

If you counted up the lines there might be more pink than blue, or maybe the same amount, but if you have a lot more blue than pink you may not have a romance synopsis. I am not saying you haven’t written a romance. I am saying you haven’t presented it that way in your synopsis, the only thing the editor will read, apart from your first three chapters, - where you are still getting going with your external plot.

Other things you should consider when writing a synopsis.

Start with a hook that ties to your character’s inner conflicts. Here are the first lines from my first two synopses for Harlequin.
  • A play-it-by-the-rules nobleman, Christopher Evernden inherits his uncle’s Courtesan.

  • Down-on-her-luck, Lady Eleanor Hadley takes to the High Toby where the one man who can ruin her steals a kiss.

Try to mention as few characters as possible. The hero, the heroine and the bad guy if there is one (or what ever they are struggling to overcome in the external plot). Too much detail takes away from the romance, which is tea for two, not a garden party.

Hit only the main high points of your external plot. You can leave out huge swaths of detail as long as you can show the points of conflict between your couple. Be specific. Write in the present tense. Make sure you keep it as short as you can.

Good luck. As a special prize, I will throw the names of the commenters’ who express interest into a hat – to win feedback on your synopsis to be sent to me within two weeks of this blog.



Ann Lethbridge’s book Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress is available for preorder at
e-Harlequin
, Amazon.com and at chapters.indigo.ca and many other places.

It will be in stores on May 1.




Also coming May 1, the related Undone short story available on e-harlequin on May 1 The Laird and the Wanton Widow

13 comments:

  1. Being only an avid reader I really appreciate the research and details you have to do to make the story come alive and e believable.To me it's a work of love that you all share with your readers and I for one am truly greatful.
    I'll look forward to reading both your May releases.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

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  2. Carol, I am thrilled with your lovely comment. Thank you for coming by! By the way, the Undone was a complete surprise. I handed it in, but didn't know it was already up and ready to go.
    Best
    Ann

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  3. Hi Ann!
    I have actually copied your words and intend to study and live by them as I work to tighten my story. I really enjoy all your posts and this one in particular! Thanks so much for your keen observations!

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  4. Your tips are fantastic. I think I can actually understand your ideas on writing the synopsis. Thank you!! You are right - I always panic because I know my story but just not how to explain its wonderful qualities. ;)

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  5. Paisley, it is so hard to give tips in an abstract fashion, i wasn't sure people would find it helpful. I am glad they resonated with you.

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  6. As an avid reader for over 55 yrs I do appreciate all the research each book entails. I agree with Carol that It is a work of love. I have a book I started but have had to put on hold due to health issues and family issues but as soon as I can get my throughs back into my book I plan to finish and who knows, maybe even publish. I hate Synopis..But I really need to do one once I get back to my book.
    Thanks for all the information and I hope both your new books are #1 sellers.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  7. The tip on pink/blue is a great way to check balance. Thanks!

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  8. Miss Kallie, here's hoping things go well for you in the near future.

    Sally, glad you found it helpful. Of course, you can use other colors, but I find those two colours work well for me, I don't get confuse.

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  9. Wow, I what a great post! The highlighting tip is great, and the rest of the advice, too.

    I used to really be intimidated when it came to writing a synopsis, but after I actually sat down and wrote one, I found that it wasn't so bad. :)

    I still have a LOT to learn, (especially when it comes to balancing the romance/plot) so thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! I can't wait to try/apply this technique to my synopsis.

    Thanks for sharing, Ann!

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  10. Carol, so glad you found it helpful.
    Best
    Ann

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  11. Donna Goode is the winner of the synpsis critique.
    Best
    Ann

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  12. I love reading but i don't think I could be a writer... I don't know, I guess it is something to think on!

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