Many writers, including myself, despise anything but the creative process of story-telling while getting to indulge with all our literary fancies with the desire to be read by every living being. Writing a synopsis or a treatment just for a select group of individuals — mainly agents and suits seems less of a draw.
With time of course this attitude changes quite swiftly. Now, after realizing the business more intimately I would share this with all my fellow-writers that the most critical document is the synopsis and the treatment. How effectively you write, edit and capture this piece will decide whether all your mammoth efforts in writing the novel or screenplay will ever see the light of day.
Evolution is a process of accepting change. We have as a society developed into an industrial, global and fierce populace — survival is indeed a gift granted only to the one willing to adapt.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
– Charles Darwin
Five
Steps To Writing A Synopsis
by Vivian Teresa Beck
Step 1: Start With A Hook. This should be a paragraph or two similar to the blurb on the back of a
book. Mood and tone is important here, use special adjectives.
Step 2: Introduction of Characters. Introduce the main characters in your book. Tell their MOTIVATION,
CONFLICT, and GOALS. Stay away from detailed
physical descriptions unless this information is pertinent to your story.
Step 3: Construct the Body of Your Synopsis. Here, using paragraphs, write the high points of your story in
chronological order. Keep these paragraphs tight, don't give every little detail.
Remember, each scene should include, ACTION, REACTION,
and a DECISION.
Example: Sam kisses Mary goodnight.
(ACTION) He makes her forget she does not want to get
involved in a relationship. (REACTION) He's dangerous to her
hard-earned peach of mind. (DECISION)
Step 4:
Use Three or Four Paragraphs to Write the CRISIS and
RESOLUTION of Your Story. Keep this
simple, but make sure you show your main characters' reactions. Don't keep the
editor/agent guessing. Your synopsis must include the resolution to your story.
Step 5: Rewrite your synopsis until
each sentence is polished to the point of perfection. Use strong adjectives and
verbs, and always write in the present tense. Make every word count.
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