When an agent or editor requests a synopsis, the process of honing our novel down into such a small space can be dread-inducing. However, writing a synopsis can help us reflect on the larger themes and values of our work, helping us focus and tighten our narrative structure–or even lay out a road map for a future project. In this workshop, we’ll use the synopsis as a frame for discussing the bones and beats of plot, as well as using it as a guiding light through the drafting and editing process. In the first session, we will discuss the what and why of the synopsis, discussing the narrative beats of a story, and examples of synopses that encapsulate these movements. Participants will be given a prompt to write a synopsis for their current WIP or revision. In the second session, we will workshop our synopses by giving our impressions of what the novel’s focus is, and if the narrative movements line up clearly. This is a great workshop for those working on a novel draft, revision, or have a novel idea and what to create a “plan of attack.”
LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE: This workshop will be held on Zoom. You can view brief tutorials on using the platform here. Shortly before the start date participants will receive an email with login info. Please check your spam if you don’t see it.
