Looking to summarize your creative writing with a well-crafted, detailed synopsis? Here are the keys to writing a strong summary for any narrative or non-fiction book you are working on.
Writing a book can take up months, if not years, of your time, but a successful publication or release can also depend heavily on the work you do after the project has been completed.
Marketing and getting your book in front of potential buyers is one thing, but convincing them to buy it upon inspection is where the likes of the synopsis play a major role.
In this article, we’ll go through four unique keys to writing an intriguing and catchy synopsis for your potential audience and buyers. Here’s what you’ll need to craft a catchy synopsis and boost your book’s sales.
How to write a catchy book synopsis?
Clear and Concise language
Writing a synopsis can be a challenging task, particularly for first-timers, but using clear and concise language is one of the best ways to communicate your story’s overall plot and themes.
When writing your synopsis, try to keep things simple and straightforward. Avoid using overly complex language that could confuse your readers. Instead, focus on the key plot points and characters. Use descriptive language where necessary and active verbs for more engaging text.
One tip is to keep the tone relaxed and conversational as if you’re explaining the story in conversation to friends. Short paragraphs can also break up your text and make it more digestible for your readers. You can also make use of online tools such as Thesaurus, for finding synonyms that better fit your text.
Discuss your main characters
As for the content of the synopsis, it’s also important to mention the major characters and their motivations early on. This helps readers understand any conflict and how the characters might interact with each other in the book.
The synopsis should be used to set up the stakes for the hero or leading characters and why the story matters. But, be careful not to go too in-depth. Focus on the most essential details in your narrative.
You can also feel free to include unique elements of their personality, skill set, or origin story. Sharing some of these details in the synopsis can make your characters more intriguing and will have a better chance of captivating potential readers.
Avoid Spoilers
When writing a synopsis, it’s important to avoid giving away too much of the plot or revealing major spoilers. The last thing you want is for your book to be seen as predictable before anyone reads it.
Adding elements of mystery is a good way to counteract this. Avoid delving into the plot twists that give your story excitement and surprise. Instead, do your best to set up multiple narrative paths, which will get the reader’s imagination going.
For people to buy your book they have to come away from reading your synopsis, thinking that the payoff will be worth parting with their time and hard-earned money. It can be wise to err on the side of caution when considering revealing major plot points in the synopsis.
Why is your book unique?
To separate your book from others on the shelf, touch on what makes your story truly unique from others in the genre.
Whether it is the setting, characters, or even the plot itself, make your book stand out by hinting at elements that are not common for your readers to see. Unconventional character arcs or non-linear narratives are strong examples of this.
Consider what themes or messages your story explores, and how they set it apart from others in its genre. Also, If your story is based on real-life events, highlight what makes it unique and different from other retellings of these events.