How, When & Why to Write Synopses

Подписаться 18 тыс.

Просмотров 11 тыс.

50% 1

We've talked a bunch about synopses, but here is a one-stop shop video about How, When and Why you need to write synopses.
****
Jessica Faust’s love for books is what first brought her to open BookEnds Literary Agency. It is her desire to be an advocate for all authors that pushed her to create her blog, the BookEnds RU-vid channel and to maintain a vibrant presence on Twitter.
Jessica is proud to have grown BookEnds to an agency that represents authors of all genres for children and adults, allowing her to reach more readers and help more authors and illustrators achieve their dreams.
--
Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders.
James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense. He is also accepting submissions in all sub-genres of Young Adult fiction, and is actively looking for Picture Books that make him laugh.
Connect with BookEnds!
Twitter: bookendslit
Instagram: bookends_literary
Website: www.bookendsliterary.com
Connect with Jessica: bookendsjessica
Connect with James: jmcgowanbks

Опубликовано:

21 янв 2020

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 76

@michaelsmorenburg-writer8480 4 года назад

I love writing my synopses. For me it's like re-living the story (and I always enjoy my own stories) in fast forward.

@tonyaosier1678 4 года назад

Love, these videos. So much help. Thank you, please keep them coming.

@scubert-rw9qz 4 года назад

I really appreciate it when agents ask for an synopsis because it feels like they are giving your book every chance they can. Maybe your book has a slow start but an awesome big Finnish the synopsis is giving the agents a chance to see this with there limited time. Think of your synopsis as your second chance for your book. If the agent still rejects it’s okay. At least you have peace that your has had every chance and your book is not a fit for them.

@Suibet.Writes Год назад

I truly appreciate what Jessica said about writing the synopsis while writing the book. Writing a summary of each chapter when they it's finished, and later compiling them all together, might lighten the burden to some extent. I was writing mine for my chapter book while listening to you guys. I'll query you pretty soon with the synopsis and all! 😀

@annmanzo 4 года назад

Thanks for the great info. I dreaded it but once I finished the rough, I was able to condense it enough that it helped me see that my stakes just weren't high enough and I tweeked my story to include it, which led to what I hope is a better query. A nice bonus was that once I had it, without worrying over word count, I could then edit it down to something reasonable.

@MrDanroche 4 года назад

Love watching your subscribers count go up and up. It’s inspiring

@dalemitchell1158 4 года назад

I second writing the synopsis while writing the manuscript. I find it helps to refer to the synopsis during revisions to help trim the fat

@AlecsandriaM 4 года назад

Working through synopses' these past few days I actually got into writing them. ^_^ Thank you for this video *bows*

@arceydear7078 4 года назад

Thank you for this I never thought about writing a synopses during the writing. As a pantser I always did it at the end ( and hated it), but I totally was blown away by how it was summed in this vlog. I think in all honesty doing it through out would probably make it way easier and less painful at the end. Thank you!

@PeterKlausRothe 6 месяцев назад

What helped for me is not calling it a synopsis, but a book treatment. It can then be used as a tool in the writing process. If i have an idea for a book, i write a treatment with pitch, themes arcs and plotlines, getting my idea on paper. Then after finishing each draft i update the treatment. Sometimes, i may even write a treatment (synopsis) for each draft if the changes are significant. Thinking of it as a tool, significantly reduces the pressure.

@daisyjoan5608 Год назад

I really appreciate the "write your synopsis as you go". I'm a tried and true "pantser" and I HAVE to write my synopsis as I go in order to keep up with what I've written so far. It helps keep me focused on (or adapt to) the core themes and story arcs in the story. I think it saves me a lot of time and heartache to do it that way. :)

@laurae614 Год назад

I love the way you guys interact, which is a huge factor in absorbing the info as a viewer (if that makes sense?). Also very important: the Wonder Woman tumbler.

@LexieReilly 4 года назад

I literally just rewrote my synopsis right before this video was uploaded. I believe my synopsis was too long at 1100 words (2 pages). Then I saw an example that it's mostly the beats of the story. So I took out my beat sheet out and married the two and knocked that bad boy down to 600 words (barely over a page). I also did some research that book synopsis was recommended to be about 500-800 words long. Is it just your agency that wants the synopsis to be 2-4 pages long or have you found other agencies to be the same?

@irenetanzman3976 3 года назад

I thought that the 2-4 pages seemed a little long. I whittled mine down to less than 800 words too.

@DrFrankencelery 4 года назад

"I'm smellin' what you're steppin' in"????? 3:59 Too funny, but alas, I agree with that statement.

@nathan.heinrich 4 года назад

Wow! This is extremely helpful information! Thanks so much! Any chance you two know were we could find an example of a synopsis that’s what you would consider “ideal”?! 🤓🙏 Looking forward to your next video!

@SiiKei 4 года назад

Thank you for the useful tips, as usual! Any advice on writing an ensemble cast synopsis?

@l.j.iverson3188 3 года назад

It _does_ make sense that creating the synopsis (as you write the book) to help keep you in check and track key plot points as you write-even if you’re a pantser. I didn’t consider this. Never saw it as part of the process, only as an afterthought. Dang! Good advice :)

@lindaraedisch4195 3 года назад

I can write my synopsis in my own voice? That's the best news I've had all week!

@kellywilson5594 4 года назад

Thanks for doing this topic! I feel like everybody talks about query letters but relatively few people talk about synopses. I've noticed some agents ask for a "brief synopsis", while some say "detailed" or "full" synopsis. I'd love any info on the difference between those terms, and what agents want to see in a brief vs a full. Thanks!

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

I love writing blurbs.

@tavernaproducoes 4 года назад

Very helpful! One extra question on top of what you just said: when you say I should put my voice into my synopses, does that mean I could (or perhaps should) write it as would write part of the book? What I mean more specifically is: could I write a synopses using the lens of one of my main characters? Their mannerisms, their own way to describe the story - or would that be a bit too much flavour and would conflict with the purpose of it? Thanks, you folks are grand!

@BookEndsLiterary 4 года назад

GReat question-- we should have addressed this. No, it should be in third person about the book and characters.

@tavernaproducoes 4 года назад

@@BookEndsLiterary I see! Thank you =)

@kaydenjase6917 2 года назад

I dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot the password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!

@andreclay9324 2 года назад

@Kayden Jase Instablaster :)

@kaydenjase6917 2 года назад

@Andre Clay I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and im in the hacking process now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

@Eleni_Datsika 4 года назад

So many useful tips. Thank you very much for one more amazing video!

@TaraDobbs 3 года назад

I'm about to go through my last synopsis as to what I can keep. A large chunk of the story changed, so that means the synopsis changes. Got all different blurb versions to compare, too.

@marthawilley5512 4 года назад

Great tips. I always thought a synopsis was supposed to be just a page. Does it go by agency preference?

@BrekkeEl 4 года назад

Could y'all do a chat on authors wanting to write in different genres and whether or not "branding" really impacts sales (like if you debut with a fantasy can you later publish a romcom, etc). As someone who enjoys writing in multiple genres, I'm curious if this would be a benefit or a draw back for an agent. Thanks for these! They're so helpful.

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

Normally you would use a pen name for a different genre.

@jessicalevy8116 3 года назад

How should you best write a synopsis featuring alternating multiple (3) POVs? Would you suggest to write each POV’s story separately or intertwine them as it would be in the book?

@bardstables8909 4 года назад

Yes I watched the video.

@augustastories 4 года назад

I don’t understand why some writers hate writing a synopsis. I feel like it’s easy! Queries are harder!

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

Maybe you have skills.😄

@augustastories 4 года назад

Write Heroes haha 🤞🏽

@nhmooytis7058 4 года назад

Have a synopsis I like ready to go, BUT the problem is it’s a series; most of what I’ve read says keep the Synopsis to ONE page and I’ve only been able to winnow mine to 1 3/4 pages....should I just synopsize Vol I and do the others as just 1-2 sentences?

@Wackyo 4 года назад

How long should the synopsis be?

@susanmarki2027 Год назад

On my first edit I write the synopsis to keep details in check. If you wait too long it gets too hard to harness your plots

@shivangijain2930 4 года назад

Hey I really liked your video, quite informative. However, I noticed that most of the discussion was related specifically to a fiction book's synopsis. It would be really great if you can shed some light on the importance, form, and structure of a synopsis when it's written for a non-fiction book. Thanks :)

@TheReadingPuppet 4 года назад

Do picture books have synopsis? They’re so short, would the synopsis just be a paragraph?

@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio 4 года назад

I'm lost here. You said 2-4 pages, but I've never once been asked for anything other than a 1 page synopsis (prob. 6 or 7 times so far). And putting everything into one page, including my voice, seems impossible to me.

@johnkuipers7829 4 года назад

Yes, it's difficult to put a synopsis into one page .But that's what they ask for. I don't know why.

@lynnevanspro 3 года назад

I'm writing my synopsis now. When you say it should be written in our own voice, do you mean the author's voice or the voice of the book? Because I'm writing in my protagonist's voice (third-person, limited) throughout the novel. But the second MC has a very different voice. And I, the author, have still another different voice. 🤣 Would you prefer the synopsis to mirror the voice of the book or show the author's personality? I feel like I know the answer, but you know what they say about assuming...

@skaetur1 4 года назад

Can my synopsis be an excel spreadsheet?

@hrapostos36 2 года назад

That is great information. I don't think it is general knowledge that the synopsis is needed not only for agents but for editors and cover designers as well.

@laurae614 Год назад

I'm late to the game/vid but curious: I've heard/read that novels should have manuscript finished, but that for nonfiction book proposals it may not be necessary. Reason given was that proposals convince agents/publishers that you *should* go ahead and finish the entire manuscript. Does this nonfiction category include memoir or should memoir be approached more like a novel since it's a story? Or does it mean nonfiction like self-help, historical topics, cookbooks, etc? Curious cuz i just finished my entire book proposal (marketing strategies, targets, chap summaries--the worst!) and now it occurs to me that that's not what the advice meant at all! Regardless, I'm glad I did it because it helped me structure things and see what my real story was, beyond the situation. Okay, end of long winded question 🎉

@Floridameerkat93 Год назад

Memoirs are nonfiction.

@BookEndsLiterary Год назад

Hi! Great question! Memoirs and other narrative nonfiction are actually best queried similarly to fiction novels-with a query letter (including comps and a blurb, which should sound like cover copy) and sample pages. Proposals are more for the other types of nonfiction you listed above!

@laurae614 Год назад

@BookEnds Literary Agency Thanks! Can't wait to tell my mom she was wrong lol (but for the 1st time in ever).

@idontwanttohearitidont4792 4 года назад

Authors have to write them for editors/designers/bookshops? Wow. I had no idea

@cherinetawfik824 3 года назад

Do u need synopses for picture book?

@Habdogwriter 2 года назад

He says, "Yes, I'll NEVER open a synopsis first (5:30). Later says "If you wrote a dynamite synopsis, I want to read the book (7:57). You were absolute you never open the synopsis first, so How can a dynamite synopsis drive you to read the book, if you wont read the synopsis before the book? I'm kind of slow - explain please.

@BookEndsLiterary 2 года назад

Hi there! I think James is saying that he will either start with the query letter and/or the sample pages (for example, the first chapter or X number of pages of the manuscript) and not the synopsis. Then, after reading the query letter and sample, if he is still interested in seeing where the book goes, he will open the synopsis to see how the book unfolds beyond the sample pages. If that synopsis really wows him (perhaps he finds out that there will be twists that he likes, or it has a trope he enjoys), he will want to read the book in full, and therefore request a full manuscript. I hope this clarifies!

@Floridameerkat93 3 года назад

Why can nonfiction books be queried incomplete but not fiction books?

@laurae614 Год назад

I just saw that u basically asked my question, but in a succinct way. I rambled forever 😂. So thanks for asking this!

@kmhumphreys1 9 месяцев назад

What about outlines? Do you need to show an outline?

@BookEndsLiterary 9 месяцев назад

Unless it's nonfiction, you shouldn't need an outline! A synopsis does the same thing, just in a way that's not broken down chapter by chapter.

@patriciagallant8133 4 года назад

A writing coach suggested I write a proposal. What does that consist of?

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

A proposal is for non-fiction. It tells your promotional strategy and platform and book.

@patriciagallant8133 4 года назад

That’s what I thought. I couldn’t understand why she wanted me to write a proposal for my novel.

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

@@patriciagallant8133 I know some big name authors can do proposals, and perhaps if you've published a few books with a publisher there editor may want to discuss the next novel. But a first time author will need a full manuscript.

@patriciagallant8133 4 года назад

@@ClintLoweTube I considered that she might be suggesting that I write my intentions for future novels as this is my first novel. I do think I can use the same characters in future novels. I have some ideas. I think working on a synopsis is my first priority now.

@DejanOfRadic 6 месяцев назад

You must get a ton of "Faustian deal" puns.....

@tenderbastardtenderbastard8050 4 года назад

the dog said, 'it's more important to have bacon than to know kevin bacon. check out my memoir at - tenderbastard.com"

@DalCecilRuno 4 года назад

Question for you guys, or anyone in the comments. Whoever can answer. Do you know of eco-friendly agents and publishing houses? I want to go traditional publishing, yes, but I know I'm asking too much if my dream is for my books to go ebook and audiobook first, with a few rare copies on hardback as a kind of price for fans who really want the physical copy. But I wanna go green. Even those physical copies should be made with recycled materials. I don't hear any agents or publishers speaking of these. So, I ask around. Guys, I'm blind, I miss a lot of information. So, do you know of anything remotely similar to what I'm describing? I'll query them right away. Thank you! :)

@ClintLoweTube 4 года назад

Self-publishing.

@dr.marioiannuzzelli1842 2 года назад

@stevenlloyd39 4 года назад

There was a discussion amongst writers on Twitter about foul language in their own work. Most of them said they do use a lot of swearing. I informed them that most agents and editors do not like a plethora of foul language. I curse like a sailor in my personal life but keep cursing to a minimum in my work. Any thoughts on this?

@cashpat2000 2 года назад

Hated it. Hated it big time. It hurt to compress the complex story in 600 words 😳

@WRLO56 3 года назад

Sorry, I had to give this a thumbs down. I'm not a fan of the conversational, fly by the seat of the pants discussion. I stopped the video at the halfway mark. After 4 minutes, I learned: A. Don't ever submit a manuscript without a synopsis; B. Some people like to have the synopsis written earlier and that's okay. I got all that in the first 30 seconds. I kept waiting for you to move on, and finally gave up. I hope you can take this as constructive criticism; you clearly have a wealth of experience between you, and knowledge worth sharing. But please, look at your video before you post as if it were a submission from an unknown author and ask yourself "Do I want to read more, or send it back?"