My synopsis editor’s feedback
In addition to having an editor look at my query letter, I had them review my synopsis as well. Unlike the teaser description that’s in a query letter, a synopsis includes spoilers. Basically, it’s your opportunity to demonstrate that your story has a coherent plot with ups and downs, some surprises, and a satisfying ending.
I’ll confess, trying to summarize a 95,000-word novel in around 600 words was a challenge, so I was grateful to get feedback on it. Here are the high points of my editor’s feedback:
1. Start with establishing the world
I didn’t do this well in my teaser description, and I didn’t do it well in my synopsis either, but it’s a must for sci-fi. Thankfully, it was an easy fix. It only cost me 45 words at the top of the synopsis.
2. Answer the big story questions only
A synopsis isn’t just a series of events. You have to explain their relevance and their impact on the characters. But you can’t explain everything, so you have to leave some things out.
That calculus is tough. My editor hadn’t read my novel, but they wanted more details about some points, and thankfully they were happy to have a few details I’d included cut.
3. Only name major characters
My novel has an ensemble cast, so the vast majority of characters aren’t mentioned in the synopsis. But I had included five named characters.
In response, my editor suggested, “If a character only shows up once or twice in the synopsis, and it’s not absolutely vital we know who they are, it may be worth removing or just summarizing.”
They singled out one of the five characters, which is definitely not a major character—neither in book 1 nor the trilogy—unlike the other four characters. So, they got anonymized to “friend.”
4. Give major characters their space
My novel has three major characters that get nearly all of the POV time. However, my original synopsis gave one of the three a lot less attention word-wise than the others, which made their role unclear to my editor. When I revised my synopsis, I rebalanced the attention paid to each (132, 148, and 149 words) and wove their storylines together more evenly to more accurately represent their importance to the story.
5. Spell out the stakes and consequences of failure
The stakes in my story are big, but I didn’t 100% spell them out—mostly because I was economizing on words and thought I’d inferred enough. But when the stakes aren’t clear, the story’s not clear. So, I cut other material to clarify the stakes for everyone.
In conclusion: Writing a synopsis is tough. It’s full of difficult choices as you try to highlight the most important and compelling plot points and moments, while omitting the rest so as not to confuse or distract. It’s a delicate balancing act.
Related posts:
My updated query letter and synopsis are being reviewed by an editor
My query letter editor’s feedback
5 ways my unsuccessful query letter could have been stronger
To get future posts …
