Guest blogger, Carole Gift Page, continues to share her Ten Steps in Writing a Novel.
STEP 2: WRITE A SYNOPSIS (SUMMARY) OF THE STORY TO THE DEGREE THAT IT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED TO YOU. In a synopsis, the principle is, “Tell, don’t show,” whereas in the novel itself the rule is, “Show, don’t tell!”
To begin your synopsis you don’t need a finished plot in mind. Just putting down what you know so far will take you to the point where new material can flow into your mind. Using a right-brain, free-writing approach, I write my novel synopses in narrative style, third person, present tense, sometimes even adding bits of dialogue, description, or notes for future research as they occur to me.
Later, I edit a polished, shortened version of the synopsis for my publisher, but my original, unedited copy becomes my “road map” to guide me in my writing. Here’s the beginning of the 7-page synopsis of my novel, Family Reunion (Crossway Books):
“After a three-year absence, Justin Cahill returns to his family homestead for the death-watch of his father, who has only days to live. Justin, associate pastor of a large California church, faces his parents and younger brother Chris with a heavy heart: A burden for their salvation; guilt over choosing the ministry instead of the family furniture business; and a nagging sense of failure and self-doubt after being passed over for the position of senior pastor of his church. Even Justin’s relationship with his wife and son is strained. He is too self-absorbed to be the lover and companion his wife Robyn needs, and his son Eric is intent on a career in contemporary Christian music rather than fulfilling Justin’s dream of a son in the ministry.”
Do you see how the synopsis tells? “Just the facts, ma’am,” to quote a vintage detective.