Cooking the Perfect Synopsis

So, I've been working on my synopsis for my middle grade novel, which means I've scoured sources for suggestions, formats and instruction on getting it right. 

Why? Three reasons: 

1- It's a vital marketing tool, next to the Query.

2- If it isn't right you may have a flaw in your story. 

3- At some point someone is going to request one.

I've coalesced what I've researched into a basic recipe. 

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Rockin' Synopsis
Preheat: Present Tense
Serves: Agents, Publishers anyone looking 

1 cup Voice               [Gives a taste of your unique voice.] 

1/3 cup   Who       [Main characters: What do they want?]

1/3 cup   Why       [Why should we care?]

1/3 cup   How       [How is he/she going to get it?]

1/2 cup   What      [What goes wrong, who/what gets in the way?]

1/2  cup  Risk            [What is he/she risk? No risk, no story.]

1/2 cup  Reward    [Do he/she get what they want or version of it?]

Mix well trimming extra words, unnecessary phrases until you have a succinct mix. Set aside for several days. With fresh eyes, revise again perfecting every sentence until you have the exact flavor you want. Then share it with several  CP's or Beta's to see if they see what you see, feel what you want them to feel. If not, revise again. Repeat this until the synopsis has risen to the desired level. 
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I found several excellent suggestions for how to obtain the perfect ingredients and boiling them down to the exact proportions. Here are a few links you may find helpful!

How to Write A Synopsis
How to Write A Book Synopsis: Tips, Techniques
Writing A Synopsis
Synopsis
Writing a Synopsis That Rocks

I know there are tons more out there! Do you have a post on your blog? Share a link in your comments! 

*Check in next Monday for Middle School Review of Savvy and Scumble by Ingrid Law

WIP Thursday

My outlining success!!

     Outlining. I never thought I could do it because I'm such a random person. In college, my notes at best looked like a web of connecting bubbles. At worst a scattered smattering of disconnected half sentences. So when the idea of outlining my book was suggested I felt my body convulse. However, I needed to see where the holes were in my story. I knew they were there but couldn't get at them. After researching a plethora of ideas and different processes I found one that spoke to my busy brain. 

Alexandra Sokoloff has an excellent series on Story Structure, specifically the "index card" method. This worked for me for several reasons:

1) I could see my entire story arc at one time.

2) It was easy to pick out where I was missing a scene or where 

    something wasn't working.

3) Using the Post-Its I could easily change order to increase tension 

    or even omit useless scenes.

4) Helped to insure I had all the elements of a great story.

I totally surprised myself and completed an outline of the entire Middle Grade project I am working on. And I did it in less than a week. I find I don't feel overwhelmed about writing either because I have a plan and I know what needs to be done next. Thanks Alex!!

What has worked for you and don't tell me you just write from cover to cover. I might lose it. Just kidding. I would love to hear about your successes or problems with outlining!!