Monday, January 31, 2011

Writing a Synopsis or Summary – The Hook

A long time ago (in a blog post far far away) I talked a bit about writing a summary for your query. I’m currently working on a synopsis for book 2 & 3 of my series, so this week is all about the synopsis. I’m going to expand on my previous post and talk about writing a synopsis of your book and provide tips for a summary of a few paragraphs, a few pages, and a full synopsis.

The first thing that you need in a synopsis of any length is a hook. The synopsis is a quick sell of your book and you have to make it as interesting as your story. This is also useful at the beginning of your query. Your hook should be one or two sentences that sum up your story in a fresh and interesting way.

Here’s mine:

Amy has not spoken in three years. Not since They arrived; creatures with incredible hearing, amazing swiftness, and a taste for human flesh. They hunt by sound and Amy has learned to survive in a world of silence.

Mine is three sentences, but I can cut it down to just the first two depending on what I want to use it for. It’s extremely difficult to get the feel of your story across in a few short sentences, but it’s something that you’ll be able to do with a little practice.

Any one else want to share their hooks for their WIPs?

(If people are worried about intellectual property theft, I understand not wanting to share, but I’m almost to submission so if someone thinks they can steal my idea, write an entire manuscript, snag an agent, and get a publisher before me…good freaking luck!)

Next time, more on writing a synopsis.

20 comments:

  1. Actually, I tried to describe my WIP in two sentences last night, and it didn't go so well. It was like three sentences and they were all run ons. So I'll get back to you on that when I have had some more practice...

    I have an excerpt of my WIP on howling Turtle though if you want to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll head over there now to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've read the best hook some time ago and it was of one of the most famous Tchechov plays:

    "Three sisters want to go to Moscow. Will they go? No they won't."

    Although it is deceptively easy and you can't fully appreciate it unless you know the play (Cherry Orchard) it makes me somehow as curious as a cat!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oooh, I'd love to share mine - If I knew what it was yet LOL! Maybe I'll hop on back over when I get it written:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your hook has definitely hooked me! I'm working on crafting my hook, and this is very helpful--thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anachronist - That is an interesting hook...it made me smile...I'm assuming it's a translated play.

    Lindsay - Love to hear it when you finish your manuscript. Good luck with the writing.

    Meredith - Thanks...my hook has gone through quite a few rewrites, but I'm pretty pleased with this version.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a really helpful article, I was never really sure what a hook should look like, and yours really does 'hook' the reader. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. .it made me smile...I'm assuming it's a translated play.

    You assumption is correct - the play is in Russian but it has been translated into many languages, English too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great post. Getting that hook has been very difficult for me. As I am re-writing my WIP now, I'll have to come back with the hook when it's done!

    ReplyDelete
  10. WOW. Your hook is awesome, awesome, awesome. Sounds way cool! And you crack me up! It's definitely too late for someone to steal your idea. You're almost there! LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your hook makes me want to read the book. I'll share my opening sentences,but they still need work.

    For five years years, Celeste Davies has racked up one personal crisis after another. She leaves Jamaica, determined to flee a disastrous situation and reinvent herself. But circumstances conspire against her in the form of Mark Weekes, who makes it difficult to remember why she swore off men and relationships.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks guys...I really did spend a lot of time reworking that hook, I'm glad it paid off. It's funny to put so much effort into three little sentences.

    J.L. - I want to meet this Mark guy :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love a good hook line, and you seem to be on par with yours! Comes in handy when those agents are having contests. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow Demitria! That sounds incredible! I am indeed hooked!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I haven't even done a query yet. So I have no synopsis.

    I like yours though. Definitely a hook.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've got a few synopsis versions saved away...

    My hook for my work in progress:

    "A group of terrorists work to start a war in the Middle East by striking at the heart of faith. A group of spies must stop them."

    ReplyDelete
  17. After reading this post, I think my first paragraph is my hook. lol I dreamed it up last night, actually.

    Here is a rough version:

    The first person Miranda killed was her sister; the second was her mother. It couldn’t be proven, but Miranda knew it to be true. Her father never blamed her, but learned early on that the truth could never be discovered, needing to protect her at all cost. Which he did… for a while.

    This is for the YA Fantasy I am currently working on.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am so happy, i never believe i will be this happy again in life, I was working as an air-hoster ( cabby crew ) for 3years but early this year, i loose my job because of this deadly disease called Herpes virus (HSV), I never felt sick or have any symptom, till all workers were ask to bring their doctors report, that was how i got tested and i found out that am HSV positive that make me loose my job, because it was consider as an STD and is incurable disease, i was so depress was thinking of committing suicide, till i explain to a friend of mine, who always said to me a problem share is a problem solved, that was how she directed me to Dr Isibor, that was how i contacted him and get the medication from this doctor and i got cured for real, I just went back to my work and they also carry out the test to be real sure and i was negative. Please contact this doctor if you are herpes positive diseases his email is: drisiborspellhome@gmail.com. or you can call or whatsApp his mobile number on +2348107855231.

    ReplyDelete

  19. I am here to say thanks you to Dr Lucky my wife was
    was have herps diseases over 4 months and I went
    to the hospital for medication thinking that it was a
    little sickness but hearing from the doctor I was
    afraid that am going to loose my wife because the
    doctor said there was no cure but I should try and
    contact a herbal doctor I have it a try and contacted
    Dr Lucky I did all necessary things and got my
    medicine through dhl services I gave it to my wife
    behold in a week time the symptoms was gone and
    after two good weeks my wife was free from hero's
    diseases brother and sisters out there who don't
    believe in herbal medicine stop deceiving your self
    and contact Dr Lucky on this email
    ( drLuckyherbalcure@gmail.com ) or message him
    on WhatsApp on
    this same +2348154637647 he is here to help
    spread this good new please and God in heaven
    will bless you amen,
    him can also cure
    {1}HIV And AIDS
    {2} HPV
    {3}Diabetes
    {4} Hepatitis
    {5} Vitiligo
    {6} Blood Cancer etc.

    ReplyDelete