Avid Readers Of SH, What Makes A Synopsis Hook You Immediately?

[Yorth]

I'm interested in what goes through you guys' mind as you scroll through the latest updates.

 

[NotaNuffian]

...Sex?
...Gorn?
...Not so pathetic MC? Normally that is a LIE!

 

[Ral]

There are so many various ways I get hooked by a synopsis but there is one thing in common: they present a clear idea.

There are a lot of synopsis here where the author seems to try to be "mysterious" by being opaque or withholding information. They essentially want you to read the story to find out. I end up not interested. I don't want to read a story to find out what is interesting about it, I want to read a story because there is something interesting about it.

You might also notice that I didn't include "interesting" but only "clear" as the requirement. This is because what is interesting to someone is subjective. I read a typical "reincarnated into a monster" synopsis and I would give that story a try. Just as long as the author presents a clear idea as to what the author is going for, then it would likely catch my attention.

 

[Yorth]

There are so many various ways I get hooked by a synopsis but there is one things in common: they present a clear idea.

There are a lot of synopsis here where the author seems to try to be "mysterious" by being opaque or withholding information. They essentially want you to read the story to find out. I end up not interested. I don't want to read your story to find out what is interesting about it, I want to read a story because there is something interesting about it.

You might also notice that I didn't include "interesting" but only "clear" as the requirement. This is because what is interesting to someone is subjective. I read a typical "reincarnated into a monster" synopsis and I would give that story a try. Just as long as the author presents a clear idea as to what the author is going for, then it would likely catch my attention.

that's very interesting. Can you take a look at this synopsis draft and tell me if it fits your requirement/catch your attention?

Spoiler: Synopsis

People have always dreamed of going back in time. All their regrets, all their remorses, everything could be sorted out if only they went back.

Shesmu didn’t.

He had his regrets but they weren’t major. He was remorseful for many things but he didn’t let them stop him. He always forged on ahead, regardless of what anyone said, regardless of the odds. In the end, he reached a place in life where he was proud. Captain of the most legendary team of Ashes of Gods, one of the strongest players in the game. But more importantly, he had a loving wife and daughter.

That was until one morning where he woke up and found himself back ten years in the past. He couldn’t believe it. While most people would jump in joy, Shesmu drowned in an ocean of despair. All of his achievements, gone. All of his friends, gone. His wife, she doesn’t even know him. And most importantly, his daughter. She was no more.

Her smiles, her laughs haunted him in his sleep. However, Shesmu persevered. His eyes were still bright. Every time he would despair, he would remember the letter, his one hope. That letter told him: “Come to Ashes of Gods.”

 

[BenJepheneT]

that's very interesting. Can you take a look at this synopsis draft and tell me if it fits your requirement/catch your attention?

Spoiler: Synopsis

People have always dreamed of going back in time. All their regrets, all their remorses, everything could be sorted out if only they went back.

Shesmu didn’t.

He had his regrets but they weren’t major. He was remorseful for many things but he didn’t let them stop him. He always forged on ahead, regardless of what anyone said, regardless of the odds. In the end, he reached a place in life where he was proud. Captain of the most legendary team of Ashes of Gods, one of the strongest players in the game. But more importantly, he had a loving wife and daughter.

That was until one morning where he woke up and found himself back ten years in the past. He couldn’t believe it. While most people would jump in joy, Shesmu drowned in an ocean of despair. All of his achievements, gone. All of his friends, gone. His wife, she doesn’t even know him. And most importantly, his daughter. She was no more.

Her smiles, her laughs haunted him in his sleep. However, Shesmu persevered. His eyes were still bright. Every time he would despair, he would remember the letter, his one hope. That letter told him: “Come to Ashes of Gods.”

You piqued my interest, not from the story, but from that poor soul named Shesmu. Hell, I just wanna know what his parents thought when they came up with that name.

 

[AliceShiki]

There are so many various ways I get hooked by a synopsis but there is one things in common: they present a clear idea.

There are a lot of synopsis here where the author seems to try to be "mysterious" by being opaque or withholding information. They essentially want you to read the story to find out. I end up not interested. I don't want to read your story to find out what is interesting about it, I want to read a story because there is something interesting about it.

You might also notice that I didn't include "interesting" but only "clear" as the requirement. This is because what is interesting to someone is subjective. I read a typical "reincarnated into a monster" synopsis and I would give that story a try. Just as long as the author presents a clear idea as to what the author is going for, then it would likely catch my attention.

Dear God, I can't believe it... You actually made a post I agree with for once.

Like... Wow, that's magical~

I really don't have anything else to say to the OP's question, you took the words right out of my mouth~

that's very interesting. Can you take a look at this synopsis draft and tell me if it fits your requirement/catch your attention?

Spoiler: Synopsis

People have always dreamed of going back in time. All their regrets, all their remorses, everything could be sorted out if only they went back.

Shesmu didn’t.

He had his regrets but they weren’t major. He was remorseful for many things but he didn’t let them stop him. He always forged on ahead, regardless of what anyone said, regardless of the odds. In the end, he reached a place in life where he was proud. Captain of the most legendary team of Ashes of Gods, one of the strongest players in the game. But more importantly, he had a loving wife and daughter.

That was until one morning where he woke up and found himself back ten years in the past. He couldn’t believe it. While most people would jump in joy, Shesmu drowned in an ocean of despair. All of his achievements, gone. All of his friends, gone. His wife, she doesn’t even know him. And most importantly, his daughter. She was no more.

Her smiles, her laughs haunted him in his sleep. However, Shesmu persevered. His eyes were still bright. Every time he would despair, he would remember the letter, his one hope. That letter told him: “Come to Ashes of Gods.”

Aye, this one is clear enough to catch my attention for sure! ^^)/

 

[Kyrian_Clawraithe]

Yes, that sort of synopsis is what I look for in a story. It gives backroom and a clear goal/challenge for the mc, and the combination of both are unique enough that it probably wouldn't be the same as any other that I've read before.

 

[NotaNuffian]

There are so many various ways I get hooked by a synopsis but there is one things in common: they present a clear idea.

There are a lot of synopsis here where the author seems to try to be "mysterious" by being opaque or withholding information. They essentially want you to read the story to find out. I end up not interested. I don't want to read your story to find out what is interesting about it, I want to read a story because there is something interesting about it.

You might also notice that I didn't include "interesting" but only "clear" as the requirement. This is because what is interesting to someone is subjective. I read a typical "reincarnated into a monster" synopsis and I would give that story a try. Just as long as the author presents a clear idea as to what the author is going for, then it would likely catch my attention.

...you remind me of the trend for JP LN to put their synopsis in the name... agreed.

 

[NotaNuffian]

that's very interesting. Can you take a look at this synopsis draft and tell me if it fits your requirement/catch your attention?

Spoiler: Synopsis

People have always dreamed of going back in time. All their regrets, all their remorses, everything could be sorted out if only they went back.

Shesmu didn’t.

He had his regrets but they weren’t major. He was remorseful for many things but he didn’t let them stop him. He always forged on ahead, regardless of what anyone said, regardless of the odds. In the end, he reached a place in life where he was proud. Captain of the most legendary team of Ashes of Gods, one of the strongest players in the game. But more importantly, he had a loving wife and daughter.

That was until one morning where he woke up and found himself back ten years in the past. He couldn’t believe it. While most people would jump in joy, Shesmu drowned in an ocean of despair. All of his achievements, gone. All of his friends, gone. His wife, she doesn’t even know him. And most importantly, his daughter. She was no more.

Her smiles, her laughs haunted him in his sleep. However, Shesmu persevered. His eyes were still bright. Every time he would despair, he would remember the letter, his one hope. That letter told him: “Come to Ashes of Gods.”

So a man without regret getting sent back in time is now having a regret because FUCK THE GODS? I like this. You might as well just have the title of "I, who got no regrets, got one now as I am sent back in time by mumbo BS"

To be honest, synopsis to me is always a lie, because:
A. The author never sticks to his writing and shits go sideways within the first 50 chapters.
B. Too vague and I feel like I am dipping my feet into the unknown.
C. Too detailed and I am tired from reading the sales pitch.

TLDR, I am a pain in the ass, just give me SEX! Not too much though, or I will drop it.

Ps, complete pain in the ass.

 

[Ral]

that's very interesting. Can you take a look at this synopsis draft and tell me if it fits your requirement/catch your attention?

Spoiler: Synopsis

People have always dreamed of going back in time. All their regrets, all their remorses, everything could be sorted out if only they went back.

Shesmu didn’t.

He had his regrets but they weren’t major. He was remorseful for many things but he didn’t let them stop him. He always forged on ahead, regardless of what anyone said, regardless of the odds. In the end, he reached a place in life where he was proud. Captain of the most legendary team of Ashes of Gods, one of the strongest players in the game. But more importantly, he had a loving wife and daughter.

That was until one morning where he woke up and found himself back ten years in the past. He couldn’t believe it. While most people would jump in joy, Shesmu drowned in an ocean of despair. All of his achievements, gone. All of his friends, gone. His wife, she doesn’t even know him. And most importantly, his daughter. She was no more.

Her smiles, her laughs haunted him in his sleep. However, Shesmu persevered. His eyes were still bright. Every time he would despair, he would remember the letter, his one hope. That letter told him: “Come to Ashes of Gods.”

I really liked the background of the story. It does catch my attention. I would gladly give this a try.

 

[Yorth]

I actually liked the background of the story it does catch my attention. I would gladly give this a try.

I will post it tomorrow. Once I do I'll notify you.

 

[Yorth]

You piqued my interest, not from the story, but from that poor soul named Shesmu. Hell, I just wanna know what his parents thought when they came up with that name.

Shesmu is actually his ign, but since most of the time the story is inside the game, I decided to just stick to it in the narration too. No need to keep jumping from one name to another, it will only serve as to be jarring.

 

[Ral]

I looked at your profile and find RE:Sword Emperor. Its synopsis sounds similar to your synopsis here.

 

[PrincessFelicie]

Interesting thread! Immediately went to check my own synopsises (synopsi?) to check which ones needlessly played the mystery card. And, well, I'm not actually doing that hot. Two stories describe themselves outright, one is a bit too vague near the end, another is also kinda vague but at least it's a oneshot, one is a mystery-horror story so the vagueness is part of the point, and the last is definitely too vague. Welp! I'll take a look at which ones I can fix up.

 

[gaylolis]

agreed 'bout having a clear idea as a must, but for my specifics:

maybe something like defeating demon kings with fidget spinners.

i also wanted to read something like hatarakanai futari, about a NEET's easy going life. i like how just because they're a NEET, they're not treated like trashes in their community, they even got along with their parents and got some cool friends (maruyama, you funny bastard). man that manga really gave me withdrawal symptoms.

generally i prefer something not so serious and not laden with conflict. even a story 'bout leisurely traveling another world is miles better than the usual tragedy, politics and conspiracy stuff. i got so damn tired of that shit.

 

[BenJepheneT]

I really liked the background of the story. It does catch my attention. I would gladly give this a try.

Hey, don't wanna sound like I'm shilling myself but can you judge my synopsis? Just wanna see if it's up to average standards and doesn't immediately kneecap chances potential readers.

Spoiler: Caninstinct

"The strong attract each other, not to fight, but to find answers to their strength."

Rormund Academy - a school reserved for only the wealthiest, the smartest and the most athletic of all species. It is an Academy so exclusive even its name remains elusive among commoners; only reserved for the ears of the one-percent of the one-percent.

Nobody knows Shiro. This mixed black wolf has an exclusivity can be rivalled by bread in a baker's cottage. He's got the kind of face that's a chip off every block, and one you'd miss in a crowd. He's about as ordinary as ordinary can get. Short-worded, self-kept, and painfully average on sight, he's nobody.

So imagine the shock when the rich and powerful finds Shiro to be their Academy's first transfer student. Imagine their abhorrent suprise of finding this extraordinarily ordinary wolf sullying their Academy's halls. Questions were raised and rumours were spread - just who is this wolf? Why is he here?

And what are the scars on his back?

 

[Ral]

Hey, don't wanna sound like I'm shilling myself but can you judge my synopsis? Just wanna see if it's up to average standards and doesn't immediately kneecap chances potential readers.

Spoiler: Caninstinct

"The strong attract each other, not to fight, but to find answers to their strength."

Rormund Academy - a school reserved for only the wealthiest, the smartest and the most athletic of all species. It is an Academy so exclusive even its name remains elusive among commoners; only reserved for the ears of the one-percent of the one-percent.

Nobody knows Shiro. This mixed black wolf has an exclusivity can be rivalled by bread in a baker's cottage. He's got the kind of face that's a chip off every block, and one you'd miss in a crowd. He's about as ordinary as ordinary can get. Short-worded, self-kept, and painfully average on sight, he's nobody.

So imagine the shock when the rich and powerful finds Shiro to be their Academy's first transfer student. Imagine their abhorrent suprise of finding this extraordinarily ordinary wolf sullying their Academy's halls. Questions were raised and rumours were spread - just who is this wolf? Why is he here?

And what are the scars on his back?

Well, this kinda fits to my "trying to be mysterious" synopsis.

Spoiler: synopsis thoughts

It does give some interesting details about the academy. I'm really interested to see what an academy like that would be like.

Everything else however is vague, even contradictory. The only other detail that is interesting is the scars though it contradicts the other details that say you character is very ordinary. The scars is also not much to go with. I mean, what kind of story would you have about a character with those scars?

It is also not really clear what this story is. A sitcom? A school slice-of-life? Adventure? Mystery? There is nothing much that says anything about what the story would be. I might have to check the tags or something but those doesn't really help in hooking the readers.

Also, based on your synopsis, this story seems to be about Shiro but, aside from the scars, there isn't anything particularly interesting about Shiro. Your synopsis actually emphasize that he is not interesting. Well, this might be in ironic sense but that doesn't really tell you why he is interesting.

Still, I would give it a try especially to see the academy and what you will do about it. There is enough interesting bits for me to take a look.[/ISPOILER]

 

[Dountnothere]

that poor soul named Shesmu

I feel this a username of someone from NUF.....like why does this name seem so familiar to me?

Other than that, the synopsis does give enough background and the goals of the !C to get me interested in his journey

 

[Yorth]

I looked at your profile and find RE:Sword Emperor. Its synopsis sounds similar to your synopsis here.

The rewrite has just been released. Here is a link if you want to check it out

 

[AliceShiki]

So a man without regret getting sent back in time is now having a regret because FUCK THE GODS? I like this. You might as well just have the title of "I, who got no regrets, got one now as I am sent back in time by mumbo BS"

To be honest, synopsis to me is always a lie, because:
A. The author never sticks to his writing and shits go sideways within the first 50 chapters.
B. Too vague and I feel like I am dipping my feet into the unknown.
C. Too detailed and I am tired from reading the sales pitch.

TLDR, I am a pain in the ass, just give me SEX! Not too much though, or I will drop it.

Ps, complete pain in the ass.

Honestly, if the synopsis becomes a lie, I have a high chance of dropping the story... Like...

If I started reading a novel because it looked like a fun slice of life, and it suddenly became a convoluted story about a commoner rebellion trying to overthrown the current royalty and what not... I kinda lose my motivation to read, because I wanted to read a slice of life and stuff...

So well... I dunno, I think most stories hold true to their synopsis? It's rare for me to think like I'm reading about something different than what I initially went after.