How to Write a Synopsis of Your Book

I came across these resources almost by accident today. I'm always surprised by how difficult it feels to write a synopsis; so much happens in a book that it isn't easy to sum it up in a few short pages. But, like the rest of my writing, if I feel I have a strategy in place, it becomes much simpler and less daunting.

Literary Agent Maria Vicente recently posted a few guidelines about writing a synopsis:

• Plot Overview
• Character Introductions
• Setting
• Simplicity
• Brevity
• Proper Formatting

Click here to read the entire post. It's worth it. She refers to author Marissa Meyer's post on the same subject, which is particularly focused on the strategy of writing a synopsis:

• Skim the manuscript
• Play up the beginning
• Connect chapter summaries with focus on formatting
• Read with focus on plot; read again with focus on characters
• Edit

Read the entire post here. It provides examples for each step and describes what a synopsis format should look like. Well worth your time.