How to Snag an Agent Part 2: Synopsis

Hey all!

Here is the second part of How to Snag an Agent. Today we'll be talking about the synopsis. Some think that writing the synopsis is just as hard as the query letter and they may be right. It takes the bare bones of the query letter and fleshes it out.

In a synopsis, unlike in a query letter, you want to introduce all the characters, their problems and most importantly how everything is resolved. The agent wants to know the ending in a synopsis. Perhaps one of the reasons synopses are tricky is because they differ in length from agent to agent. A general rule though is if you can get your query down to 2-3 pages, you're golden.

Some tips for how to write the synopsis. Think of it sort of as an outline of what happens at each stage of the story and follow the main character on their journey. Keep the writing in third person present tense. When you introduce a character for the first time, put their name in all capital letters. You should also make sure you double space your synopsis, using standard 1 inch margins and Times New Roman 12 pt font.

One thing many writers struggle with both in the query and the synopsis is getting their voice to shine through. One way to handle that is to write the synopsis first in first person present tense from the perspective of the main character, changing all of the necessary nouns and verbs afterward to transition into third.

Since I shared with you all my query for EUTERPE, I thought I would also share with you my synopsis. Keep in mind that this was before I did my first round of edits with my editor so some aspects of the storyline have changed.

Ten-year-old ABIGAIL “ABBIE” ROLLANDS knows she is in trouble again when she’s sent to the Principal’s office. On top of being suspended for a week, her Mom grounds her for something she didn't do. She tells her mom that it wasn't her fault that her classmate PETER tried to work out a math problem on the board; it came out as a sappy love poem instead, even though everybody thinks it was. Abbie’s mother makes her go to see psychologist, DR. PRISCILLA PHILLIPS. Abbie tries to forget the meeting as she spends a fun-filled weekend with her dad but finds it difficult.

Reluctantly, Abbie returns to see the psychologist. The session goes quickly and Abbie is grateful to race out the door with her dad. The next time, after a drink of water offered by Dr. Phillips, Abbie blacks out. When she wakes up she’s in a room with no door. And she’s not alone. ROSALIA “ROSA” BIANCHI shares her prison. And they have more in common than just being cellmates. Both girls can make people around them do strange things.

The next morning, Dr. Phillips returns with another girl, the unconscious body of ERIN KEMP. Immediately upon waking, Erin takes charge, trying to find a way out. Abbie comments that there is a window in the bathroom. It might be a way out.
While in the bathroom, Abbie balances Erin on her shoulders so she can reach the window high above them. To their dismay the window is sealed shut and all the girls succeed in doing is hurting themselves. Dr. Phillips gives them a knowing smile as she drags them back to their prison.

As if the entire experience isn’t freaky enough, a telepathic owl, GLAUKOS, visits in the middle of the night. After an initial bout of thinking they’re crazy, the girls listen as Glaukos tells them that they are really three of the Greek Muses; EUTERPE, CALLIOPE and POLYHYMNIA. And that’s not all. Dr. Phillips is the Greek goddess PERSEPHONE. Before disappearing in a puff of feathers, it tells them that knowledge is their greatest ally. Abbie and her new friends are left to find a way out on their own.

The next time Dr. Phillips returns, she brings a keyboard and three chairs. She informs the girls they will be working on a project together, writing a play. Abbie thinks the idea ridiculous but fakes being interested. After the session, Rosa confides in her friends that the experience was less than pleasant. She describes the feeling as being tugged along by a hand.

Abbie uses Glaukos’ advice to sneak past Dr. Phillips and search the outer room for anything that might give them information on their history. Abbie succeeds in retrieving a book without being noticed. After the session, the girls browse the book, learning all they can about Persephone and the muses.

Abbie and her friends manage to prop the secret door open just enough to hear the conversation in the next room. Dr. Phillips admits she plans to keep the girls locked up until she finishes writing the play which, once complete, will break up people in happy, healthy relationships. The feeling will spread until people all over the country are breaking up.

Realizing the danger in letting Dr. Phillips win, the girls use what they have learned about their gifts to inspire Dr. Phillips at the same time. Rosa escapes with the book and Dr. Phillips’ notes before the doctor starts fighting back. Abbie must decide if it’s worth risking her own freedom to save Erin. In the end Abbie risks her own safety to save her new friend.

After Dr. Phillips is in police custody, Abbie and her friends are reunited with their families. Shortly, Abbie finds herself back at school. Her mother informs Principal Tannery that Abbie won’t be returning for the last month of school. Abbie can’t believe her luck. As summer begins, Abbie, Rosa and Erin gather for a sleepover, destroying the notes for Dr. Phillips’ play, solidifying their bond as muses and friends.