Putting "Sizzling Synopsis" Tips into Practice
What to LEAVE OUT to create a slick and scintillating summary
Is my synopsis suitably intriguing?
Wishing to uneat the world’s most repulsive burger, Daniel Cross has quantum slipped into our reality—and his personal nightmare. Stripped of friends, home, and unable to locate his cherished classics car, Daniel vows to rebuild without relying on his unpredictable powers. However, an unexpected reunion threatens to unravel carefully laid plans…
I hope so. I’ve incorporated—setting aside some instances of purposeful and judicious rule-breaking—the recommendations in How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis by Bryan Cohen. To wit:
Mention only the main character/s
Name only the main character/s
Refer to supporting characters in role/relationship terms e.g. estranged wife
Describe the main character through just a few attributes e.g. piano prodigy
Centre the protagonist’s goal
Hint at the obstacles in the protagonist’s way
Indicate genre
Reveal the setting
I broke a rule by mentioning the Dude, Where’s My Car?-esque subplot. I think the synopsis remains streamlined, however, considering it’s just one item in a list of illustrative losses. Likewise, delving into backstory isn't advised due to the risk of overburdening prospective readers. However, the inherent absurdity of "uneating" a burger highlights the comedic aspect of what might otherwise read as purely a science fiction/urban fantasy story.
As long as the various plot threads I’m addressing are skilfully woven into the dense fabric of the synopsis, I believe they’re unobtrusive enough to retain. And now, with that out of the way, it’s time to write the book.
I'm curious to know if you have a favorite synopsis. Comment and let me know.
Mine is a blurb pull quote from a mouthy, nerves-of-steel preteen: “You killed my mother—and I have the cajones to prove it”. Character, theme, and conflict instantly laid bare—a line still seared into my brain a quarter of a century later.
Buy me a coffee link.