I cannot write a synopsis to save my book. And yet, I find that on rare occasions when looking at another person's synopsis, I actually have intelligent and dare I say helpful insights. Ah, the power of "distance". So, in the tradition of the “Those who can’t—teach”, I submit the following observations:
While reading a synopsis, the reader will have various questions occur to them about your story. You may be under the impression that questions are intriguing. But you would be wrong. There are good questions and there are bad questions. Let's review.
"Jane returns to her childhood home."Why? Where was she? When did she leave? Why did she leave? And how does she feel about that?
"She immediately runs into Jack, the man she left all those years ago, the love of her life."
Why did she leave him if he is the love of her life? And how does she feel about that? (Is my psych degree showing?)
"Seeing Jack again, reminds Jane of the secrets of the past."
What secrets? What past? And how does she... oh you get the idea.
These are BAD questions. Let’s try again.
"After learning that her mother is gravely ill, Jane returns to her childhood home and the overbearing mother who threw her out for getting pregnant when she was sixteen.”Uh-oh, how is she going to deal with that?
"Jane immediately runs into Jack, the boy who got her pregnant, and he is as upset as the day she left ten years ago when she picked up and left him without a word."Uh-oh, how is she going to deal with that?
"At sixteen, Jane knew that her leaving without telling Jack about her pregnancy was the right thing to do--it allowed him to be a successful football player and home town hero--but now, seeing the dark, anger in his eyes she is sure he’s not going agree."Uh-oh, how is she going to deal with that?
These are GOOD questions. These are intriguing questions. Class dismissed.
