As I’m getting ready to send out a new novel to agents, the dreaded synopsis has become my nemesis once again. I thought this checklist might be helpful to some of my readers. I know it will be helpful to me. 🙂
by Shannon Donnelly
Years ago I was struggling to try and figure out how to write a synopsis. It took a lot of input from other writers, and some workshops, but I finally became comfortable with syopsis writing—and now it’s one of my favorite tools. I’m now doing my “Sexy Synopsis workshop again for Outreach International Romance Writers, but I wanted to offer up my synopsis checklist.
A synopsis is one of the most useful tools you can have. It keeps you from getting stuck. It starts you thinking about blurb and marketing copy. It can even show up flaws you might have in your plot, as in maybe the conflict really isn’t strong enough.
The checklist I developed came from looking at a bunch of synopses and from taking a lot of classes on synopsis writings. Feel free to take this list and customize for your own use…
View original post 511 more words
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
That is a great checklist. Lots of insight here. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
You’re so welcome, Gemma! Hope it helps when you need it. 🙂
LikeLike
Very helpful post! Thanks for sharing! We all love to write but hate the synopsis! Tweeted!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Melissa! I thought it was a very good check list. And yes, I thought I hated queries until I had to write a synopsis! 🙂
LikeLike
Before I worry about a synopsis -I’ve got to come up with a title for my latest. Thanks for sharing – the synopsis is always the most dreaded part. Someone could make a fortune if they started writing these things for writers.
LikeLike
Now that’s food for thought, Daryl. I think you’re right! Maybe I could quit my day job! LOL Do you not have any ideas for titles? All of yours seem to be just perfect.
LikeLike
This came at a perfect time, Jenna. Thanks for posting this. No matter how many times I’ve written a synopsis I always forget one of these points.
LikeLike
Writing the synopsis is the hardest part of writing, I think. It’s so easy to leave one of these out. Glad it came at a good time, Sharon!
LikeLike
Good tips! To this day, I loathe synopsis writing.
LikeLike
Me too, D’Ann. How can you take a book with sometimes 300+ pages and reduce it to 3 freakin’ pages? Insane.
LikeLike
Great info! Shared via Google+
LikeLike
Thank you, Andrea. I hope it helps!
LikeLike
Thanks for the reminder, super helpful and tweeted!
LikeLike
Thanks Toni! I know a lot of people struggle with this very important part of the query process, including me!
LikeLike