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<\/a><\/p>\nI read through the criteria for entry and was shocked to discover that a 10-page synopsis was permissible along with the usual first 50 pages of your novel.<\/p>\n
To put this into perspective for you, I have read everything you can possibly read under the sun and on the internet about the perfect Synopsis. I thought I had studied my craft and got it down to a fine art.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s the thing. I managed the impossible. I distilled my 110,000 word novel down to 4 pages. Until I read, \u2018Actually, if you can get your synopsis down to 2 pages that would be great. Thanks awfully.\u2019 An image of the camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle came to mind at that point. But I did it. Then another agent said, \u2018We require a 1-page synopsis or we don\u2019t even look at you.\u2019 OK well I guess I can do that. Do you see where I am going? The most challenging one I have had to write so far is the 300 words synopsis. In the name of all that is holy \u2013 how the hell do you distil countless layers, sub-plots, twists, fork in the road moments \u2013 oh and name 5 characters- into 300 words? Quite frankly I don\u2019t know for sure, but I tried.<\/p>\n
Fast forward a few months and here, in front of my eyes, the apparent luxury of 10 pages<\/strong>!!<\/p>\nExcept it wasn\u2019t a luxury was it? I pondered whether just to send my carefully crafted 4-pager, or 1-pager, but then I thought well if you\u2019ve got 10 pages you may as well use it<\/em>.<\/p>\nI\u2019m here to tell you it\u2019s much harder than it sounds.<\/p>\n
Initially, I took the most exciting plot elements from each of the chapters and created some copy. But when I read it back it was SO BORING\u2026 this happened, then that happened, and then something else happened\u2026Yawn. I was boring myself so I knew I had no chance holding the attention of the judges. I tried a few other approaches but nothing felt right.<\/p>\n
So I realised I had to go back to basics. Forget the countless pages I had written in the past and begin with a fresh sheet of paper.<\/p>\n
If you find yourself in a similar situation, try to keep these 3 key questions to the forefront of your mind:<\/p>\n
\n- Whose story is it? (i.e, who is your protagonist?)<\/li>\n
- What do they want and what stops them achieving it? (i.e, what is their conflict?)<\/li>\n
- How do they get it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From here you can review and revise. Is your voice active? Is your pace dynamic? Does the writing style of your synopsis mirror the writing style in the novel?<\/p>\n
It took me a good week to write a Synopsis I was happy with, and even now, I\u2019m not sure the judges for the Lucy Cavendish Prize really<\/em> want to read 10 full pages before launching into the novel, but now it\u2019s a just a case of \u2018wait and see.<\/p>\nI\u2019ll be sure and get back to you in future posts on how to write a Synopsis. Perhaps I can spare you the countless hours I\u2019ve put into the subject \u2013 unless you\u2019re a bit of a sadist on that front.<\/p>\n
Well \u2013 the entry is in. Wish me luck. Until next time<\/p>\n
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