How to write synopsis?

[Nevafrost]

I come again with another call for help. I don’t know how to write synopsis lol. My previous one was a flop so I'm asking for advice this time so I can write a better one, hehe.

Spoiler: Plot

: Four princesses embark on a sneaky journey to discover the secrets their parents are hiding from them. They think it will be fun to do something exciting, so they sneak out of the palace to the neighboring kingdom. There, they meet some weirdos who turn out to be the princes of that kingdom.

Initially, they thought it would be a funny little sneak-off, but it turns out to be something bigger as they uncover more about the secret. The story becomes darker as the plot develops.

I provided the plot so you could give me better advice hehe. If you have any questions regarding the plot of the novel, just ask me. Thanks in advance.

 

[CheertheSecond]

I don't even know what a synopsis is. LOL
I just summarise the premise and elaborate a bit on the title if possible.

 

[Eldoria]

Well, frankly, your synopsis feels cold because it positions the reader as a neutral observer.

A good synopsis is one that makes the reader care and connect with the fiction.

Therefore, a synopsis should include the identity of the protagonist who is relatable to the reader and provide a living conflict with personal stakes. It will allow the readers to feel emotionally connected to your story.

The general synopsis formula is:

Protagonist identity + main conflict + stakes + challenge/threat.

If you'd like to see examples of synopsis, please see the following thread:

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises Well, I currently have five fictions in progress (or some on hiatus). I'd like to resume writing fiction. However, I realize my capacity is limited to handle all of them. So, I'm forced to prioritize my...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[L1aei]

I come again with another call for help. I don’t know how to write synopsis lol. My previous one was a flop so I'm asking for advice this time so I can write a better one, hehe.

Spoiler: Plot

: Four princesses embark on a sneaky journey to discover the secrets their parents are hiding from them. They think it will be fun to do something exciting, so they sneak out of the palace to the neighboring kingdom. There, they meet some weirdos who turn out to be the princes of that kingdom.

Initially, they thought it would be a funny little sneak-off, but it turns out to be something bigger as they uncover more about the secret. The story becomes darker as the plot develops.

I provided the plot so you could give me better advice hehe. If you have any questions regarding the plot of the novel, just ask me. Thanks in advance.

Since I'm all warm and fuzzy from vodka, I'm gonna rewrite this with my style. And since these are four princesses from a single kingdom, with you mentioning "their parents", I'm going to assume they are sisters. Here:

Princesses are not meant to be bored. Well, boredom is the quiet fate of every royal daughter.

Four of them had had enough of the rhetoric responsibility; they slipped out for one forbidden night!

Oh, boy.

Come on in and experience chasing danger the way sheltered girls chase imaginary adventures. When their spirited pursuits takes them beyond the borders and shocked by the differing culture of the neighboring kingdom. Right now, it's only a thrill, but that step into the unknown is only the first transformation into something more. Someones greater when they discover princes who are supposed to be strangers.

They aren't. And they'll discover why it is impossible to unscramble eggs, together.

 

[CinnaSloth]

your synopsis points:
Parents have a secret -- which you don't tell
the secret is "big" -- thumbs up meme..
4 princesses -- which have no names
some undetermined number of princes -- of whom you call weird without a reason why.
dark story
you didn't give any information of why your story should stand out..
you said the absolute minimum. and minimum effort gets minimum results.
you essentially said "there this thing with these kingdom people and another kingdom and stuff happens. Read my story."

Name drop the most important character. name drop the family names, the kingdom names.. something..
trying to keep things secret is not a good thing when you keep everything secret.

give us the issue and give us why it's an issue.
in this case: the family has a secret. you don't have to blow it all out of the water.
either
tell the secret, and within the story explain why its had to be a secret
or
tell why the family is keeping a big secret, and through the story uncover the secret.
you can't have both
if you told a secret and told why its a secret. there's no secret, it's just open knowledge.
if you say theres a secret but cant tell you, then nobody cares. keep your secrets..
you need to hide one, or the other, to have a story.
you need to give one or the other, for people to care enough to consider listening.

 

[Grizzly18]

More details. Some more foreshadowing. Names. If you’ve got any books with blurbs in the back or book jackets try looking at them for inspiration.

 

[foxes]

It depends on what function your synopsis should perform. It can introduce the world so that the first chapters don't seem too complicated to the reader. Or it can simply introduce the character.
I write a spoiler for the first chapters, clarifying the main details. Intrigue them, and let them continue reading on their own.

 

[Nevafrost]

Maybe some of you had the impression that the
'plot' I wrote here was my synopsis . But it's not. Hehe.

I don't even know what a synopsis is. LOL
I just summarise the premise and elaborate a bit on the title if possible.

Now explain how to write a premise

Well, frankly, your synopsis feels cold because it positions the reader as a neutral observer.

A good synopsis is one that makes the reader care and connect with the fiction.

Therefore, a synopsis should include the identity of the protagonist who is relatable to the reader and provide a living conflict with personal stakes. It will allow the readers to feel emotionally connected to your story.

The general synopsis formula is:



If you'd like to see examples of synopsis, please see the following thread:

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises Well, I currently have five fictions in progress (or some on hiatus). I'd like to resume writing fiction. However, I realize my capacity is limited to handle all of them. So, I'm forced to prioritize my...

forum.scribblehub.com

Gonna follow that formula lol. Also, I once viewed that thread. I guess it's time for another look.

Since I'm all warm and fuzzy from vodka, I'm gonna rewrite this with my style. And since these are four princesses from a single kingdom, with you mentioning "their parents", I'm going to assume they are sisters. Here:

Princesses are not meant to be bored. Well, boredom is the quiet fate of every royal daughter.

Four of them had had enough of the rhetoric responsibility; they slipped out for one forbidden night!

Oh, boy.

Come on in and experience chasing danger the way sheltered girls chase imaginary adventures. When their spirited pursuits takes them beyond the borders and shocked by the differing culture of the neighboring kingdom. Right now, it's only a thrill, but that step into the unknown is only the first transformation into something more. Someones greater when they discover princes who are supposed to be strangers.

They aren't. And they'll discover why it is impossible to unscramble eggs, together.

Okay, they aren’t sisters but they are friends (which I didn’t mention in my original post so I should bear consequences lol). Now there is a very good reason why they are in the same Kingdom haha.
Btw, I will try to follow your lead and write the synopsis-nya. Yours was literally so much better than the one I wrote at first lol

your synopsis points:
Parents have a secret -- which you don't tell
the secret is "big" -- thumbs up meme..
4 princesses -- which have no names
some undetermined number of princes -- of whom you call weird without a reason why.
dark story
you didn't give any information of why your story should stand out..
you said the absolute minimum. and minimum effort gets minimum results.
you essentially said "there this thing with these kingdom people and another kingdom and stuff happens. Read my story."

Name drop the most important character. name drop the family names, the kingdom names.. something..
trying to keep things secret is not a good thing when you keep everything secret.

give us the issue and give us why it's an issue.
in this case: the family has a secret. you don't have to blow it all out of the water.
either
tell the secret, and within the story explain why its had to be a secret
or
tell why the family is keeping a big secret, and through the story uncover the secret.
you can't have both
if you told a secret and told why its a secret. there's no secret, it's just open knowledge.
if you say theres a secret but cant tell you, then nobody cares. keep your secrets..
you need to hide one, or the other, to have a story.
you need to give one or the other, for people to care enough to consider listening.

I guess you thought the plot was my synopsis? Hehe no. But your advice were really helpful. Now I have a view of what I want. Arigato-nya

More details. Some more foreshadowing. Names. If you’ve got any books with blurbs in the back or book jackets try looking at them for inspiration.

Details. Yes. That's what I'm lacking.

It depends on what function your synopsis should perform. It can introduce the world so that the first chapters don't seem too complicated to the reader. Or it can simply introduce the character.
I write a spoiler for the first chapters, clarifying the main details. Intrigue them, and let them continue reading on their own.

Spoiler of the first chapter? That's interesting!

 

[TinaMigarlo]

Well, frankly, your synopsis feels cold because it positions the reader as a neutral observer.

A good synopsis is one that makes the reader care and connect with the fiction.

Therefore, a synopsis should include the identity of the protagonist who is relatable to the reader and provide a living conflict with personal stakes. It will allow the readers to feel emotionally connected to your story.

The general synopsis formula is:



If you'd like to see examples of synopsis, please see the following thread:

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises

[Help me] Determine Writing the Priority of Fiction Works Based on the Story's Premises Well, I currently have five fictions in progress (or some on hiatus). I'd like to resume writing fiction. However, I realize my capacity is limited to handle all of them. So, I'm forced to prioritize my...

forum.scribblehub.com

"and once again? the oracle, has spoken."

what university do you teach creative writing at again?
mother of all that's holy.
I feel as if I can *write*, but you're the technical expertise, that would guide me.
if I kidnap you, can I make you my agent/editor?
that wouldn't be too cringe, would it? nah. a story as old as time itself, right there.

just, follow the fresh strawberries, deary. laid out in that nice little trail.
there's no danger, its not a trap.

More details. Some more foreshadowing. Names. If you’ve got any books with blurbs in the back or book jackets try looking at them for inspiration.

this. so much this. go to a big used bookstore. read all the blurbs. on a paperback, its usually the back cover. you read enough, you'll see similarities. reading lots of paperbacks, is how you learned to write. so? do that here. for this.

 

[Nevafrost]

this. so much this. go to a big used bookstore. read all the blurbs. on a paperback, its usually the back cover. you read enough, you'll see similarities. reading lots of paperbacks, is how you learned to write. so? do that here. for this.

You're right-nya! I've been trying to find a book in my house with synopsis but I have failed miserably. All the books got the 'reviews' on their back. It's honestly frustrating-nya

 

[TinaMigarlo]

I don't like the word 'synopsis'. too much like an english class term. I prefer the classic word... BLURB.
its a book blurb. Its the thing that either generates interest? or not. it works or it don't.
get one you really like, in your genre, and see about imitating/converting it to your story.
every house is made out of the same 2x4's and screws and sheets of wood and rolls of insulation.
but every house can be a cookie cutter of what's up and down the street...
or it can be shaped different and really stand out.
but they all use the same stuff to build it.

 

[Nevafrost]

I don't like the word 'synopsis'. too much like an english class term. I prefer the classic word... BLURB.
its a book blurb. Its the thing that either generates interest? or not. it works or it don't.
get one you really like, in your genre, and see about imitating/converting it to your story.
every house is made out of the same 2x4's and screws and sheets of wood and rolls of insulation.
but every house can be a cookie cutter of what's up and down the street...
or it can be shaped different and really stand out.
but they all use the same stuff to build it.

Blurb? Sounds like *blob*. Now, I like this word as well lol

 

[Joyager2]

There's some good advice here regarding how to structure a synopsis, but not a lot about how to write one. Something that I think is important that I find a lot of folks overlook is the specific language you use. Write your synopsis as though you yourself care about the story. This means giving weight and meaning to the ideas present in your story. Don't be blasé or self-deprecating. If you don't care, why should I?

Thinking about the plot you've described, let's consider: who are these princesses? Do they matter as characters (with names and wants and dreams), or mostly as the idea of nobility? Is their adventure a significant decision for them (something with drama and tension that's exciting to read about) or is it a silly little romp for them? Are the princes they meet full characters that are intriguing to read about or just 'some weirdos?'

Don't be afraid to commit to your own ideas. It's a lot of work to write a novel. It requires serious dedication. Don't be afraid to present your work seriously.

 

[DismaiNaim]

I can't write a synopsis to save my life. I feel like anything I say is going to spoil it.

 

[Louhi]

I can't write a synopsis to save my life. I feel like anything I say is going to spoil it.

I have the same problem. This is why I my synopsis only contain the protagonist's 5W (Who, What, Why, Where, When)

 

[Doctah_Quack]

I come again with another call for help. I don’t know how to write synopsis lol. My previous one was a flop so I'm asking for advice this time so I can write a better one, hehe.

Spoiler: Plot

: Four princesses embark on a sneaky journey to discover the secrets their parents are hiding from them. They think it will be fun to do something exciting, so they sneak out of the palace to the neighboring kingdom. There, they meet some weirdos who turn out to be the princes of that kingdom.

Initially, they thought it would be a funny little sneak-off, but it turns out to be something bigger as they uncover more about the secret. The story becomes darker as the plot develops.

I provided the plot so you could give me better advice hehe. If you have any questions regarding the plot of the novel, just ask me. Thanks in advance.

Carefully

 

[Nevafrost]

Carefully

Uhm, what? Are you trynna assassinate me with that knife or smth?

 

[Nevafrost]

@Eldoria @L1aei @CinnaSloth Sorry to annoy yall again, but I wrote a sample . Is this somewhat acceptable?

Spoiler: Sample Blurb

On a random Tuesday, Iris and her best friends decided that life as pampered princesses was boring. Just when they were craving a fun adventure, the biggest opportunity came running: a restricted castle in the neighboring kingdom.
'There must be ghosts in there.'
'Dumbass, we are faeries. Why are you acting scared?'
A chaotic journey, assisted by four random guys.
'His attire looks expensive... like a duke or a prince.'
'No shit, Sherlock. I'm one of the princes of this kingdom.'
Yes, four confused but curious princesses are led and misled by four quirky, handsome princes. What chaos will their curiosity and untold feelings lead to?
Magic, madness, heaven and sins; which one will prevail once they reach the end of this journey?

 

[L1aei]

Sorry to annoy yall again, but I wrote a sample . Is this somewhat acceptable?

'No shit, Sherlock. I'm one of the princes of this kingdom.'

Sherlock? Is this on Earth?

 

[Nevafrost]

Sherlock? Is this on Earth?

Haha, this is kind of a parallel universe. Some characters from this world might exist in the novel. Idk. Should I change this?