“Writing a synopsis is the universe’s revenge for every time you said your book was ‘too complex to summarize.’ It can be summarized. You just don’t want to. Do it anyway.”
— L.A. Walton, The Book Maven
The synopsis is every writer’s least favorite document. You spent 80,000 words telling a story and now someone wants you to condense it into 1–2 pages? It feels like being asked to describe a sunset using only three crayons.
The Synopsis Formula
| Element | What to Include |
| Opening | Protagonist, setting, and the inciting incident. |
| Rising Action | Key plot points and escalating conflict. Hit the highlights. |
| Midpoint | The major reversal or revelation. |
| Climax | The decisive confrontation or choice. |
| Resolution | How it ends. YES, include the ending. Agents need to know. |
| Character Arc | How the protagonist changes from beginning to end. |
Synopsis Survival Tips
- Tell, don’t show. Ironic, right? But a synopsis is a SUMMARY, not a scene. Use clear, direct language.
- Focus on the main plot. Cut most subplots. Stick to the through-line.
- Include the ending. Agents and editors MUST know how it ends. This is not a jacket blurb.
- Keep it to 1–2 pages, single-spaced. Unless submission guidelines specify otherwise.
- Write it AFTER the query. The query teaches you what’s most essential. The synopsis expands from there.
Your Move, Creative
Write your synopsis by answering six questions: Who is the protagonist? What do they want? What’s in their way? What’s the turning point? What’s the climax? How does it end? Those answers ARE your synopsis. Now polish them into 1–2 clean pages.
Stop letting your stories stay stuck.
