I am currently struggling with making a good synopsis for my story, so I thought about asking what you guys think makes a good summary. Like, what kind of elements of the story I should put in there to give the readers an idea of the story content, tone, and vibes. What I shouldn't put in there. And more importantly, what words pop and catch your attention when looking for a story to read.
What Makes a Good Story Summary/Synopsis?
Only the first few words show up on the genre/tag/ranking page's book list.
So the first sentence (and/or boobs in the cover art) is what makes ppl click on your book.
It's also safe to assume people will not click on the expand button on your book's landing page to read the full wall of text synopsis unless what's already shown is intriguing enough.
And for the love of god don't write the synopsis like a movie trailer.
Vam_V I do not have much experience as I began writing recently but I believe the best way to catch readers, is to write the part where the MC seems powerless. Example:
Michael is cornered as everyone turns against him. The world has revealed itself to be his enemy. What does Michael do to surpass the challenges the world throws at him?
So, since I am very dumb, I forgot to put my story synopsis at the start for you guys to criticize, and I lack the will to edit the thing, so I will just put it as a reply here.
"A story about a young guy, who goes on an adventure in search of some magic stones and finds himself adrift in the dangerous events of the world around him."
Nullabutton
Unfortunately, I don't have boobs in the cover art, so can't depend on that.
Thanks for the input, but what do you mean with "synopsis like a movie trailer."?
Scientist_113
Thanks for the input, yeah, good idea, it's a good way to draw attention to the story.
But, I don't think it would work for my story, there are parts where the MC's are powerless but they will not be the focus of the story, and it might give a wrong impression on the tone my story is going for.
Vam_V lol that synopsis is... to be frank, straight hot trash. It looks like you've already told the story in that simple sentence (that isn't a good thing). I just learnt how to write a synopsis last month and my cols have shot up. To write the synopsis you need to add the main conflict of the story and a tiny bit if the background and the driving force. Use the synopsis of my novel as an example if you may. It's Into The Demon Apocalypse: Hell On Earth
MrLollip0p
Yeah, it's pretty bad.
- Edited
Vam_V a lot of authors on Webnovel use an excerpt from their books as the synopsis. Usually a piece that is either intriguing, or (mostly)steamy. Personally, I prefer it when the synopsis gives a general outline of what to expect from the story. I have also seen authors do both: having the excerpt lead into the description of the story.
I went a bit more traditional myself, and did what I refer to as an Outline Synopsis. It lets potential readers know what to expect from the story without giving away major plot points.
Example:
Your Synopsis:
"A story about a young guy, who goes on an adventure in search of some magic stones and finds himself adrift in the dangerous events of the world around him."
Outline Synopsis:
At the budding age of eighteen, John Doe found himself adrift in the harsh world of Neverland. After a tragic incident derails the life he had always expected, Joe must build a new one for himself from the ashes of his once-promising career as a Mage. With no money and no roof over his head, Joe will embark on an adventure that will not only change him, but affect the very foundations of his world..
The Ancient Stones of Azarath are shrouded in mystery, but may be the key to his salvation.. Or lead Joe to his demise. Action, Adventure, and Intrigue await Joe around every corner as he fights for (insert his ultimate goal). What will happen when all the stones are brought together after a thousand years? Why were they separated and sent to the ends of the earth in the first place?
All the answers and more await Joe as he and his companions live, laugh, and bleed together for their futures..
This is just an example. Obviously the characters, places, and names would all be different. But these are the things you want in a synopsis that can be achieved by making an Outline Synopsis, an Excerpt Synopsis, or a combination of the two:
- Who are the MCs?
- What world/reality are they in?
- What is the general goal/elements of the story?
Without these three things being established, most readers will move on from a book. Many of the top-ranking books have a combination of the two types of synopsis; usually having the excerpt lead into the synopsis. The scene grabs the reader’s attention, then the synopsis lets the reader know what the story is about.
For more references, you can click on my profile icon and check out the synopsis for my two books, or compare the synopsis of top-ranked books. Hope this helped! 
Sara_Wilcox
Wow, thanks, this input helped me a lot.
- Edited
So, thanks everybody, didn't expect to get so many responses, you guys helped a lot.
I think I am ready now to make a decent synopsis.
And I ended up with this
This is the story of Zarco, a young guy with a magic stone and not much else, and Caelum, a wingless "angel".
"Caelum
-That's stupid...
Zarco
-Eh, it is..."
Ahem, anyway, a lot of action & adventure awaits them, as they are forced together on a journey in search of some magic stones of legendary power.
"Zarco
-Liar! We're currently doing a lot more of "trying to survive" than rock picking around here!
Caelum
-Yeah, that is pretty misleading."
Ok, screw this, I am out, if nobody read this story it will be your fault.
"Zarco
-The hell are you talking about, you're the one who wrote this...
Caelum
-Since our writer is unreliable, I will finish this. This story at its core is just a fun rump, focused on action, adventure, and a lot of comedic dialogue and exchanges. If you had at least a chuckle reading this then you will probably enjoy the story.
Zarco
-Yo, thanks for reading till this point, we will meet again at the pages."
What do you all think?
Vam_V what's your genre?
MrLollip0p
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy.