Writing Any Tips for Making a Synopsis stand out?

[WingedSumac]

What makes a good synopsis for you? What in the writing of it would make you want to read the story? Do you prefer a short synopsis or a long one?

I would like to know what you expect from a synopsis. It could be anything from the content, format, characters etc.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

What makes a good synopsis for you? What in the writing of it would make you want to read the story? Do you prefer a short synopsis or a long one?

I would like to know what you expect from a synopsis. It could be anything from the content, format, characters etc.

short but sweet. No info dumps. Dont tell me this kingdom's history with that one's or who all the players are and why they're doing all the things they're doing. I just wanna know who the main character is and whats going on in the story that sets him on his path.

Something like this:
Teenager Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is renowned. But his whole world is suddenly turned upside down on the night his best friends try to kill him.

Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters - immortal vampire-slayers who risk everything to save humanity - and he quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one that's filled with all kinds of evil. However, before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students start turning into flesh-eating members of the undead.

Nick knows he's in real danger and he soon has a lot more to deal with than starting high school: he's under pressure to hide his new friends from his mother and his chainsaw from the principal while trying to impress the girl he has a crush on - all without getting grounded, suspended...or killed.--Infinity, Chronicles of Nick book 1

Its the perfect synopsis for me. Its not too long, it tells me who the MC is and what his personality is like. Tells me what happens that changes his life and how it thrusts him into the world of immortal Vampire slayers, then it tells me the main plotline for the story: people are turning into zombies and he has to keep his loved ones out of danger.

Whats more, it does all that while being interesting. It doesn't have as much personality as i usually like, but everything is neat and tidy and doesnt bog me down with all these little details i don't need to know yet

Which is another thing, and why i say i don't like info dumps: info dumps are spoilers, too. Dont spoil shit for me. Tell me all this in the story itself. Give me just enough to be interested. I don't need to know WHY people are turning into zombies yet, see? I just need to know that they are, and that its a mystery that i can solve alongside Nick.

 

[Mythonian]

The goal of your title/cover is to get someone to read your synopsis, and the goal of your synopsis is to get someone to click on your first chapter.

1. Get to the point quickly. Do not pack your synopsis with paragraphs of detailed exposition.
2. Give a general overview of the MC's motivation, goal, and/or predicament, so the reader knows what to expect.
3. Be careful about using names for people/places/organizations/etc., and only use like two or three. Throwing around made-up titles or the names of kingdoms is useless and distracting, so keep stuff like that to a minimum. The MC's name alone is often good enough for the synopsis, with maybe one or two particularly important names alongside that.
4. Your goal is not to be mysterious, confusing, or to trick the reader. Your goal should be to find those who are interested in what you are offering and are willing to read it, otherwise anyone you hook will leave once they realize the story isn't what they expected.
5. Have good grammar! If I see that an author hasn't even taken the time to fix the errors in their own synopsis, I automatically assume that their chapters will be just as bad if not worse. It just makes you look bad, is the main issue. I can read stories without perfect grammar, but at least put in a bit of effort!

 

[WingedSumac]

Thanks guys. I got a better understanding of it.
What are your thoughts on a synopsis that starts with a dialogue?

 

[CL]

As mostly being a reader, I just want to point out that your synopsis will have more appreciation if it actually tells us what the story is about. I've come across some synopsis's that had been describing the characters or showcasing a page from their novel. That doesn't tell me what I'm getting myself into here.

 

[LordAstrea]

I personally am not a fan of a synopsis that starts with dialogue unless it is something iconic or covers a critical moment in the story that it is sort of hinting at. If it's short and sweet it feels more effective to me. Just my opinion. I've seen some sites cover this and say to absolutely not use dialogue, but I've seen a few published works start with a small bit of dialogue and it worked well enough.
The posts above did a fantastic job of mentioning a lot of the key things in a synopsis. I'd just be repeating everything they said and I am certainly no pro at this. But it doesn't hurt if the story has catgirls. I mean, catgirls are great.

 

[Valmond]

What makes a good synopsis for you? What in the writing of it would make you want to read the story? Do you prefer a short synopsis or a long one?

I would like to know what you expect from a synopsis. It could be anything from the content, format, characters etc.

One of the things that just makes me turn away, is if it is not impactful. By this I mean, do not have it sounding bland or straight forward. Try to have it a bit indirect, and insight powerful emotions inside of this summary. It has to feel exciting. Now exciting has differing meanings depending. In short, you take into account the type of genre, and the summary magnifies what makes this genre what it is.

 

[NotYourTypicalMan]

I think @JayDirex Got a pretty good thread about how to make a good synopsis. Can you give the thread link jay?

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I recommend including a question or two. It gives the reader something they need to find out.
Keep it short and sweet.
You can check out my synopsis from the link in my signature.

 

[JayDirex]

No, do not start with dialogue. click this link below and follow the four steps to the letter. @WingedSumac

Jay's Synopsis Formula will work on your novel.

This is actually an answer to an earlier thread, but it's best to share as a full thread. Why? Because it works. It does not matter if your story is slice of life about a GENDER-BENT BLOB OF ENERGY. My synopsis formula works. All you have to do is answer these FOUR QUESTIONS and you can create...

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