Some of the agents that I am considering writing to request different lengths for the synopsis. Some allow two pages of A4, others one page, whilst one agency wanted one paragraph!
I am tempted to tailor the synopsis to each agents requirements. Is this a waste of time? I suppose I should make it as tight as it can be, but I am tempted to use all of the available page space offered.
Also any shared experience of creating your synopsis, and how you managed to boil your story down would be really helpful.
Many thanks.
I've just attempted to write the synopsis for my novel. Though it isn't quite finished yet. I have written my ending - just need to get there now.
Let's just say it needs work but it did help me visualise albeit in words the arc of the story and has already started giving me ideas for the sequel which are being noted down separately.
At this stage even though a tad early it has helped me identify what else I need to write.
I can then go over it and make corrections/redraft portions.
Did I find it scary. Yep.
It is a scary thing the synopsis. The whole putting together the package is a scare thing Lily. I don't know which is hardest . . . . writing the novel or writing the synopsis and letter that goes with it.
I was at a workshop for helping authors this weekend, and the synopsis was feared by almost everyone!
Ideally you should be able to sum up your novel in one sentence, 140 characters (for a tweet), 100 words (a summary to go in your covering letter), and a synopsis.
I prefer a synopsis to be 1 page of single-spaced text. However, I wouldn't throw away a 2 page synopsis. Anything beyond that would not be read.
I hope that helps!