Today\u2019s blog consists of an excerpt from my Book Proposal Course\u2014Class number 3\u2014the Synopsis Part II. <\/p>\n
I created these notes based on the questions and material I received from students during week two of my first Book Proposal Course.<\/p>\n
1: Most authors find that organizing the book is one of the hardest parts of the writing process. Organization can also be a challenge in writing a Synopsis. Make sure that you have organized your synopsis in the most logical manner.<\/p>\n
2: Is your first sentence an attention-grabber? Imagine that you are a very busy publisher and you\u2019re seeing the synopsis for the first time. What is your first impression? Are you intrigued? Are you interested enough to keep reading?<\/p>\n
3: If you\u2019re having trouble formulating your synopsis, imagine that you are sitting across the desk with a publisher and he has just asked you, \u201cWhat is your book about?\u201d or \u201cTell me about your story.\u201d Start by writing, \u201cThis book is about\u2026\u201d or \u201cThis book features\u2026\u201d or \u201cIn this book, I tell the story of\u2026\u201d You may keep that beginning or you might remove it and come up with a stronger beginning. These phrases just might serve to jumpstart your synopsis. <\/p>\n
4: Keep it simple. Avoid long, cumbersome sentences like the plague. This is not the time to get fancy or to flaunt your mastery of the English language. In order to dazzle a publisher, he first must understand what you\u2019re saying. Write as if you\u2019re explaining this to someone from outer space.<\/p>\n
5. Use active rather than passive sentences. Examples:<\/p>\n
Passive: The game was won by the bluebirds.
\nActive: The Bluebirds won the game.<\/p>\n
Passive: A decision to adjourn was made by the president
\nActive: The President adjourned the meeting.<\/p>\n
6: Write a one-sentence description of your book. This will help you to find your focus for your synopsis. I\u2019d like to see that sentence this week. (Some of you have already sent me yours. And you\u2019ve all done a bang up job.)<\/p>\n
7: For those of you who have a story to tell, don\u2019t try to tell the whole story in the Synopsis. Just outline the basic storyline, include something about the prominent players in the story and add an example of two from the story.<\/p>\n
8: For those of you with nonfiction books, include statistics in your Synopsis and introduce the experts you\u2019ll be quoting.<\/p>\n
9: Don\u2019t try to keep things from the publisher. While I urge you to keep descriptions brief and succinct, avoid playing peek-a-boo games. Don\u2019t keep the publisher in suspense. Be straightforward.<\/p>\n
10: Where you have several points to make consider using bullets. For example: \u201cIn my book, Doggie Dress-Up I will cover the following:
\n\u2022\tWho, in general, dress their dogs?
\n\u2022\tWhy do people dress their dogs
\n\u2022\tWhich celebrities parade dogs wearing clothes?
\n\u2022\tWhat dog types are most often subjected to the practice of dressing up?
\n\u2022\tWhat is the most popular doggie dress-up style?
\n\u2022\tWhat are some of the most outlandish outfits worn by dogs?
\n\u2022\tWhere can one find doggie outfits?\u201d<\/p>\n
11: Make a strong statement at the end of your Synopsis indicating your assuredness that the publisher will consider publishing your manuscript. For example, instead of, \u201cI hope you find this manuscript suitable for publication.\u201d Or \u201cI would love it if you decide to publish this,\u201d say, \u201cThis book will be a valuable asset to the dog owner who is on the fence about investing in a wardrobe for his dog.\u201d Or \u201cI envision this book being warmly received by children and parents everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other words, put positive thoughts in the publisher\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
All of you who are planning a book might want to take this advice and write a one or two sentence description of your project. It can be an easy slam dunk or a very difficult exercise. I\u2019d love to have a report as to your one-sentence description.<\/p>\n