Synopsis question

[RK Wallis]

If you book's in first person, do you write the synopsis in first person? I thinking yes because it's like a consistency thing. Thoughts?

 

[Jackson Banks]

Third person, present tense.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

That's an interesting proposition...writing a synopsis in the first person would be confrontational and attention-grabbing. But, it would also feel wrong, as a synopsis isn't narration, it's a description or summary—which requires the stance of a third person.

 

[Carol Rose]

The standard is to write a synopsis in third person present tense, as @Jackson Banks has indicated, no matter what POV your book is written in. Certainly you can experiment, but bear in mind it likely won't make a difference. A synopsis is only a piece of data. It's not meant to entice or sell the work. It's meant to show an agent or editor you have a cohesive story that has a beginning, a middle, and an end that resolves all major arcs.

 

[RK Wallis]

Nah, not wanting to experiment, my synopsis is currently in 3rd, but I'm just swapping my MS to 1st and wanted to check what's standard

 

[Deleted member 604]

Regardless of what POV you use in your Manuscript. A Synopsis is always in 3rd but do use some elements in there from your Manuscript such as the manner etc.

 

[Tim James]

A full synopsis should be, as mentioned, third person present tense, clear and simple, plainly factual. Don't hide anything, tell the whole story; secrets, surprises, reveals and all.
Now there are some who would say, don't give it all away in the synopsis. But then what you are giving them is just a taster. The purpose of a full synopsis is to demonstrate to the publisher/agent that you have the whole story plotted out and that it all hangs together without them having to read the whole MS.

 

[RK Wallis]

Yep, I know that I've been using the Jericho Synopsis Builder @Leonora recommended. I love it