So yeah, I'm not a fan of this whole thing. But I'm doing it. Synopsis writing is probably the worst thing ever. But I did it.
And now I'm wondering if anyone has any tips I haven't already found on google. (Anyone ever notice they often conflict?) Apparently there's a class through this site that I just missed, but I can't be spending money on anything right now anyway. Sigh...
Anyway... who knows something I don't?
I don't know about successfully doing it, but I heard an interview with Jonathan Lethem where he basically said his tactic was to relentlessly send out manuscripts, and the day he got a rejection for something he sent it out to someone else. He sort of prided himself on being unstoppable this way, and considered it a victory to get something in the mail ASAP.
I have found that every story fits one general block. Once you know how to cut your story down to that short story an elevator pitch is easier.
GENERIC STORY SUMMARY
X = Inciting Actor (often antagonist)
Y= Inciting Event/Action
A = Person reacting to Inciting Event, (often protagonesint)
s = Subplot
PLOT: In/on the land/world/ship/OHTER __________, during __________, X attempts/happens Y because __________. This meets/met with (success, no success, mixed results, or similar phrase) because __________. A reacts by __________/No one (else) reacted. This results in __________. (Repeat this as needed with A Beta, A Gamma, etc.).
SUBPLOT: (Also/Meanwhile/Some such phrase), in the land of __________, during __________, sX attempts sY because __________. This meets/met with (success, no success, or mixed results) because __________. sA reacts by __________/No one (else) reacted. (Repeat this sentence with A2 Beta, A2 Gamma, etc. as needed.) This results/resulted in __________. (Repeat Subplots with Beta, Gamma, etc. as needed).
THEME: This is complicated/changed/simplified/tinted/invokes of/by __________. (Repeat this with as needed for Theme Beta, Theme Gamma, etc.)
HOOK: The thing you didn't expect is __________.
