What makes a good synopsis?

[Reisinling]

So I finally did it, I published a story. It even has 3 chapters. Except, in all my preparations what I haven't thought about is... the synopsis. So, if you could tell me what makes you decide if a story is or is not for you? What do you pay attention to? Is short or long better? From the perspective of a person from within the book world, or a description from our world, with genre names and tropes used inside?

One of my earliest memories related to books is deciding NOT to read one I got as a gift, because of the blurb on the back sounded stupid. That book btw was the first Harry Potter book. It took my Mom a week to convince me to try it, and then I did indeed enjoy it.

Similarly, when going through the novel descriptions on novel updates written by the users, I find them very often more compelling, then whatever is written on the official release page. Like no joke, I would neve buy most of the fantasy books I own if I only read the blurbs. They always go something like "A person X was Y in fantasy city Z, but then X happened, done by evil W! Will they survive?! Will they find the G? AN EPIC STORY", except 3x as long.

Also: here is my thingy if you want to look at it/ give opinions. https://www.scribblehub.com/series/232879/slithering-through-dreams/

 

[xinde]

Hi, here's a writer who's basically as new as you XD

Not sure if I'm much help, but I try to make the sypnosises funny and/or fun to read, but that doesn't always work since not all books are lighthearted.

Also, I went to take a look your your book. Straight to the point and tells readers EXACTLY what the story is about. That goes for many readers too, so you can honestly choose to keep it (≧▽≦)

I think the point of the sypnosis is to summarize the story without spoiling it too much, also making it interesting enough for people to open the book for look.

Honestly, it took me a whole 2 years start reading the first Harry Potter book too, since I always picked it up and put it down after the sypnosis didn't attract my attention long enough (*´ω｀*)

The length is up to you. You could even choose to put an interesting excerpt of your story. \(´▽`)/

 

[TheMangaGod]

Use a hook. For mine specifically I used a description of the main character's first chapter and what happens to him. I leave off with the hook at the end which is a sentence that drops the main point of the story in a question so that people want to find out more. Go ahead and read mine for details. Only the first part is the actual description, the rest is disclaimer's and extra info.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

There are many ways on writing a synopsis. One way is to summarize what your novel is gonna be about. It removes the mystery and basically delivers what that novel offers so it can start strong on reader's impression at first but it depends on how long they'll be hooked for.

Some offer to put their character's perspective on things which adds the mystery but removes the hook which delivers more into how you impress them if they'll like to look more into the novel.

Basically, writing a synopsis is like a waiter handing you a menu and what you'll expect of the food. Whether you are intrigued by what they cook or not, it mainly depends on the first impression.

 

[yansusustories]

I think what is important is including the most important information: Who are the main characters, what tf is happening, and what's at stake? Then, it's always a plus if the synopsis follows the novel in the tone. Like, if it's a funny comedy novel, I'd like to have a funny synopsis as well. If it's a mystery novel, then it would be nice if the synopsis is able to show that mystery aspect.

 

[JayDirex]

I have a whole thread teaching the basics of synopsis (And yes my formula can be altered for your taste)

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...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[BenJepheneT]

Spelling, for one

 

[AdLeto]

"Fuck up an' read't"
-Mahatma Gandhi

Words of wisdom never fails

 

[Reisinling]

Spelling, for one

Listen here you fancy patsy educated man, It's scribblehub not project Gutenberg okay?! Take your proper spelling and grammar, and... find a way to upload it to my mind, so that I don't have to actually spent effort to learn it.

But seriously, good call

 

[Deleted member 45782]

So I finally did it, I published a story. It even has 3 chapters. Except, in all my preparations what I haven't thought about is... the synopsis. So, if you could tell me what makes you decide if a story is or is not for you? What do you pay attention to? Is short or long better? From the perspective of a person from within the book world, or a description from our world, with genre names and tropes used inside?

One of my earliest memories related to books is deciding NOT to read one I got as a gift, because of the blurb on the back sounded stupid. That book btw was the first Harry Potter book. It took my Mom a week to convince me to try it, and then I did indeed enjoy it.

Similarly, when going through the novel descriptions on novel updates written by the users, I find them very often more compelling, then whatever is written on the official release page. Like no joke, I would neve buy most of the fantasy books I own if I only read the blurbs. They always go something like "A person X was Y in fantasy city Z, but then X happened, done by evil W! Will they survive?! Will they find the G? AN EPIC STORY", except 3x as long.

Also: here is my thingy if you want to look at it/ give opinions. https://www.scribblehub.com/series/232879/slithering-through-dreams/

Edited to make this more clarified:

Responding to the question: So, if you could tell me what makes you decide if a story is or is not for you? What do you pay attention to? Is short or long better?

For me, its good character development and plot development. Less obvious cringe-y cliché. If it has cliché, it better has some actual unique twist from the story that set it apart from all the other story that use the cliché. If the story is pretty much similar in terms of plot/characteristics and personalities and history of characters, then...I don't exactly want to read the same story over and over again with just different names and slightly different details.

Sometimes I have come across ideas that have some similarities with another story. I draw a T chart, and one side is my story idea, and the other side is another story idea and list the common similarities. For each similarity between stories that is listed, I try to picture it in a different way - give it different twists, or change it. Sometimes that can maybe help to turn it into a completely different story with your own original twists and turns. Other times it kind of helps me decide whether maybe its better to choose a different story to write.

Now, I don't want to discourage anyone reading this from writing. Don't be afraid to write.

Everyone has to start somewhere. We all probably have written something cliché. Its good place to start, if you're unsure how to start sometimes. And sometimes there might be decent good stories that use clichés too.

I just think that sometimes we read too much of the same trope in a story and sometimes we just get tired of that and would stop reading if we found the story is another of the same trope. Especially since sometimes we have read or seen that trope so often, we don't like the flaws of that trope and want to see something different, something better, something unique.

About story descriptions on novelupdates. Maybe its just me, but I guess sometimes it feels like they don't really make the story described out to be in some sort of mystery that you have to read more to find and figure out, when sometimes you can kinda tell roughly how the story goes (sometimes). It's kinda just there - the basis or rough idea of what the story will be like. No hiding it behind some mysterious unseen thing in the story to make it so enticing. Sometimes what entices us is knowing the type of story we want to read, and if it is that type of story. Then its a go.

 

[Wintertime]

Overall plot, and what type of novel it is.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Got to be honest...I still haven't read a harry potter's book really...Just the movies.

Lol...I probably will hear should read the books...

Just for the record, I do agree on many movies never doing justice to the stories. cough percy.

 

[Reisinling]

Got to be honest...I still haven't read a harry potter's book really...Just the movies.

Lol...I probably will hear should read the books...

Just for the record, I do agree on many movies never doing justice to the stories. cough percy.

Re-read them as an adult a few years ago. While I still enjoyed them, they certainly are a product of their time, and targetted towards specific demographic, not sure if you will enjoy it as much if you are over 16 and don't have the emotional/nostalgic connection formed since childhood

 

[TheMangaGod]

Got to be honest...I still haven't read a harry potter's book really...Just the movies.

Lol...I probably will hear should read the books...

Just for the record, I do agree on many movies never doing justice to the stories. cough percy.

Sword of Truth series is what got me. The show made me have a visceral reaction and I was this close to straight up hunting down the show's creator's... Damn them for ruining such a good book series...

 

[AryaX]

While I may not necessarily read a story just because it looks interesting in the Search Window... If the Picture, Title, List of genres and the part of the Sypnosis visible in the search window isn't enough to spark my interest, its doubtful I will look into it any deeper...

 

[Reisinling]

While I may not necessarily read a story just because it looks interesting in the Search Window... If the Picture, Title, List of genres and the part of the Sypnosis visible in the search window isn't enough to spark my interest, its doubtful I will look into it any deeper...

Super important point about visibility in search window, and easy to miss. Will note to look into it later :)