These can be tricky to write, but necessary when you’re submitting a manuscript. Remember, it gives you an extra chance to demonstrate your skill, condensing a novel’s worth of great plotting into a one-page summary.

Generally, it should just be one A4 page, in an easy-to-read font. It should include full details of the plot – inciting event; climax; ending with a sense of how the major conflict is resolved, and what kind of journeys the characters go on. Make sure all the key characters are included – perhaps capitalising their names each time you mention them.

The aim is to show a prospective agent your plotting and structure, with a sense of how your novel progresses. The major question when tackling a synopsis is how to condense your full novel with its plot, subplots and various characters into one page. You don’t necessarily need to include the sub-plots unless they are truly relevant to the main story.

The best synopses capture not just the core plotline of the novel, but its feel and tone, If it is humorous, try to capture that too, and don’t be afraid to include some of your favourite lines from the text.

If you can do something fun and creative with your synopsis, that is a plus and help to make it fresh and to stand out.

Happy writing. Contact me at dwaysman@g.mail .com (free) if I can help you with any writing problems, or if you are interested in any of my 14 books.. I am always happy to hear your comments.