The 5-Step Synopsis Solution

What is the second-most jaw dropping, intimidating, terrifying word to most writers?

SYNOPSIS!  

(The #1 most dreaded word? . . . you guessed it, the QUERY.)

Telling to selling~
Writing a synopsis is like venturing into the unknown. You already know (or are learning) how to "tell" a story. Once your manuscript is edited, polished, and ready to be sent out into the publishing world, it becomes time to shift from "tell" to "sell." (And no, I'm not suggesting to park at the mall, pop the trunk, and strong arm shoppers to buy your manuscript.)

In this situation, the word "sell" means convince. Your task is to convince an agent that you are the real deal: a skilled writer with a salable story. Your fabulous manuscript, along with your query and synopsis are sales tools that help you make the case.  

Are you ready for some really good news? Once you understand query letter what, where, and why, you have the information you in order to write a synopsis. You know what the protagonist wants (goal) and who or what stands in their way (obstacle). You know the driving force behind their emotion-driven actions. You know the outcome of their struggle to get what they want. (Resolution).

Your query letter second paragraph ends with a "tease" and causes the agent to wonder, "Hmmm, what happens?"They keep scrolling and read your synopsis, looking for five vital elements. 

• Does your story "hook" readers from the first paragraph?
• Is your protagonist engaging?
• What happens? Does your plot make sense?
• Have you applied basic writing mechanics throughout?
• Is there a market for your work?

If the answer to any of the above is "no," one CLICK and your manuscript flies off to delete-ville. Time-pressured agents reason that vital information missing from the synopsis probably also is AWOL in the manuscript, which will make it "unworthy" of publication. 

Happy News~You can learn to write a synopsis that tells agents what they want to know. Your synopsis five-paragraphs (350 words) motivate them to read your manuscript.  My latest tutorial, "The 5-Step Synopsis Solution," will help you achieve that goal. Check it out at MolliMart.

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