Write a Solid Story Synopsis With This Simple 4 Act Framework
The synopsis is one of the most dreaded documents writers have to contend with. Hear the word and you’ll see writers run to the nearest corner and duck under a pile of covers. I can’t blame them. I used to do that.
Can you imagine trying to condense a 70,000+ word novel into a few paragraphs? And you thought writing a query letter was hard?!?!?
What exactly is a synopsis?
A synopsis, in the simplest definitions, is a summary of something. In the literary world, a synopsis is a 1 to 3-page document that tells you everything that happens in your book. And I mean everything. Every twist, spoiler, death, and resolution.
That’s why writers dread it so much. It’s hard enough to write a 70,000+ word book. Now we need to reveal everything in three pages?
But a synopsis is mandatory, especially if you’re going the traditional publishing route. Why? Because agents and editors will want to read the synopsis to ensure you know how to tell a thorough story. One that has a clear beginning, middle, and end. They’ll also use it to make sure the main character goes through a transformative arc.
Even if you’re going to indie/self-publish, learning how to write a solid synopsis will come in handy.
How do you write a compelling synopsis?
For years, I struggled to write a synopsis. Until I discovered a framework. A formula that helped me break it down into manageable chunks so I focused on one section at a time. That’s what I’m sharing with you in my Synopsis Template Workbook for Fiction.
This PDF printable walks you through my exact framework for writing a synopsis that is thorough, compelling, and way easier to draft.
How?
By focusing on one act at a time.
No matter what storytelling framework you use, chances are it includes some form of the Three-Act Structure. This is the foundation of storytelling and one every formula uses.
And since your synopsis needs to include everything that happens in your book, breaking it down into three acts is the best way to approach it. However, I give you one more section bringing it to four since we break Act 2 into two parts.
The sections of a synopsis and what to include in them
Inside my workbook, I ask you questions pertaining to the major plot points of each act. This is to get you focused on the key things. Because even though you’re going to share everything that happens, following the three-act structure is a great way to balance out the synopsis.
In Act 1, which will be one paragraph, you’ll reveal:
The main character or characters if it’s multiple POV.
The current world they live in and what they do in it.
The MC’s goal(s) or desire(s).
The MC's flaws or struggles.
The inciting incident that rocks their world.
The fallout from that inciting incident and what the MC plans on doing about it.
If you’re using the Save the Cat method, Act 1 includes the Opening Image, the Theme, Setup, and Debate.
Act 2, which I break up into two parts, will make up two paragraphs of your synopsis. The first half covers:
The new world your MC finds themselves in as well as any new characters.
The first set of obstacles they must overcome.
The midpoint of the novel.
In STC terms, that includes the Break Into 2, B Story, Fun & Games, and Midpoint.
The second half of Act 2 covers:
The second batch of obstacles following the midpoint.
The all-is-lost moment.
In STC terms, that includes the Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, and Dark Night of the Soul.
Finally, Act 3, which makes up the final paragraph of your synopsis, will cover:
The MC overcoming their internal and external conflicts.
The climax.
The MC at the end of their journey.
In STC terms, this includes the Break Into 3, Finale, and Final Image.
You’ll also want to resolve any subplots in the final paragraph and clearly express how the MC has changed throughout the journey.
Here’s the basic breakdown of what your synopsis will look like:
Paragraph 1 = Act 1
Paragraph 2 = Act 2 up to the midpoint
Paragraph 3 = Act 2 up to the all-is-lost moment
Paragraph 4 = Act 3
That’s it! Four paragraphs in 1 to 3 pages.
Before you panic, it’s perfectly acceptable to write your synopsis using 1.5 line spacing instead of double space. Agents and editors accept 1.5 since they know it’s hard enough to condense your entire novel into a few paragraphs. But 1.5 still gives a small break between sentences for easier reading.
How much detail do I include?
One frequently asked question about writing a synopsis is how much detail to include. The shortest answer is not much.
A synopsis should reflect your writing voice, but you also don’t have the space to go into too much detail or lyrical language. When introducing the main character, secondary characters, and locations, use one or two adjectives that best describe them.
If you’re writing fantasy, focus a bit more on the world, but no more than a few sentences. Share the most important aspects. No more, no less.
Your goal with the synopsis is not to impress the agent or editor with your use of language, but to show them that you can write a thorough story. Trust me, they’ll get your beautiful writing from your manuscript. So it’s perfectly okay if your synopsis reads a little bland or business-like.
Because while I mentioned before that a synopsis can run three pages long, many agents prefer 1 to 2 pages max.
A good rule of thumb that I’ve done in the past is this: draft your synopsis, getting it to three pages. Then edit, edit, edit. Cut any unnecessary fluff. Limit adjectives and remove any sentence that is only there for lyrical purposes. Keep only the major plot points, the characters, and the journey itself.
Edit until you get it down to two pages.
Hard, I know, but trust me. Learning to edit a synopsis down will help you edit your manuscript better.
How can my workbook help you write a solid synopsis?
My synopsis workbook walks you through every step that I just talked about. It breaks everything down and asks you questions and prompts to ensure you’re including the most important information in each section.
Inside, you get a ton of practice pages and additional pages to draft your full synopsis. The nice thing about breaking it down is that by drafting one paragraph at a time, you’re essentially building a first draft. There are also formatting and editing tips.
Once you have that, all it needs is a few connecting sentences and a few rounds of edits.
I know I said it before, but I’m going to say it again. The job of a synopsis is to show that you can tell a good, thorough story. It needs to reveal everything. Don’t leave any major plot point out. The agent and editor need to know.
But reading a synopsis doesn’t mean they won’t read your manuscript. In fact, if the synopsis is good enough, they’ll want to see how you get from Point A to Point B. So a synopsis, like a query, can intrigue them to read more.
That’s what my workbook aims to do: help you write a compelling synopsis that will have agents and editors wanting more. So head on over to my shop and grab yours today. And if you need an extra pair of eyes on your synopsis when you think you’ve revised it enough, request an edit from me.
With my editing services, you get in-text comments, a detailed editorial letter, and a 60-minute review call on Zoom so you can ask me any questions you have.
I know you can write a solid synopsis. If you wrote a freakin’ book, you can write a synopsis and my workbook can help you see that it’s easier than you think.
Good luck and happy writing!
