Writing a synopsis is hard. Don’t let anyone kid you. I struggle with this task, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. I’ve found that I can brainstorm my synopsis in the same way I brainstorm or revise my books, or do developmental edits for my publishers. Here are eight questions I used to brainstorm my synopsis. You can use these in any order you want, take out the ones you don’t need, and add others to fit your work in progress. Please note that if you’re self-publishing, you can use these same questions to brainstorm your book description. Without further ado, let’s start brainstorming.
#1 Where are we?
This question will help you figure out the setting for your story. If you’re writing a picture book, you may have one setting. However, if you’re writing an easy reader chapter books for grades 2–4, a middle grade, or young adult book, your setting will change as your story progresses. I don’t recommend writing each small setting in your story, especially if it doesn’t move the story forward. What I do recommend is writing down the most important places your characters go as the story progresses, to show your protagonist’s journey.
#2 When are we?
This question will help you check to make sure the timeline in your synopsis is consistent with that of your story. You don’t have to add every change in time to your synopsis, but if the story takes place over the course of a few days, or months, readers will want to know that. For example, when I asked this question for my synopsis for Shadows on the Wall, the first book in my Spirit Writer Society Series, I basically stated that the book took place at the beginning of summer vacation. A simple note is all you’ll need to ground your readers.
#3 Who are we with?
When I answered this question, I listed my protagonist, then I listed her supporting characters, the villain, and important secondary characters I have in the book. I’m still learning the art of writing a synopsis, but I have learned that your main focus should be on your protagonist’s journey, even though you may have supporting characters working alongside her to reach her overall story goal.
#4 What do the characters want?
Here’s an even better question: What is the overall story goal? Your answer depends on the genre and age group you’re writing for. This is where you write your story’s outcome. If you want to traditionally publish your book, you’ll want to show this in your synopsis. However, for indie authors, you can simply hook readers with questions to make them want to find out whether the characters reached the desired outcome.
#5 Why should readers care?
This is the big important question. Why did you write the book? What message do you want your readers to walk away with? How do you want them to feel once they read the last page of your book? These are also some potential questions you can ask yourself as you brainstorm your synopsis.
#6 What’s the conflict keeping the characters from getting what they want?
This question is necessary if you want to write a story, and for your synopsis. You have no story if you have no conflict. Describe your conflict briefly to hook agents or editors into your story. For indie authors, describe your conflict to make people want to buy your book.
#7 How is this conflict resolved?
You’ve written the outcome the characters want, now you need to answer this question. Do the characters get what they want? Or, does the outcome of the story change as the characters grow and develop? When you can answer these questions, you have the outcome of your story solidified for your editor or agent.
#8 What is the pivotal moment that drives the story forward and keeps the momentum going in the next book of the series?
This question is optional, depending on whether your book is part of a series or a standalone. You don’t have to add this to your synopsis, but it could give you the inspiration to keep the creative momentum going as you write the first draft of your next book. If you’re writing a standalone, you can omit this question and put an additional one in its place if you so choose.
Now it’s your turn. What suggestions do you have for brainstorming your book description or synopsis? Please share them in the comments to keep the conversation going.
Ann Harrison is the author of The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at Heart. She is currently working on a middle-grade mystery with supernatural and fantasy elements in the mix. She plans to self-publish Shadows on the Wall, the first book in her debut middle-grade series, Spirit Writer Society.
Ann has been published in several anthologies, including a devotional entitled God Things: Hope for the Hurting. Aside from her work as a children’s book author and poet, Ann is a professional freelance writer and editor, offering developmental and line editing services. She also hosts a podcast titled Inspirational Journeys: Stories that Matter, where she gives children’s book authors a platform to share their stories. When she’s not interviewing special guests, she hosts solo episodes with book reviews, reading selected poems, and sharing tips and encouragement for aspiring authors.
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Thank you! I am working on my first MG novel after many years of PBs. These questions to write my synopsis will help greatly.
Great questions to consider, Ann! Thanks for sharing!