Many writers find composing a one-page query letter and a one-page synopsis more difficult than writing a 100,000 word novel. Try writing a logline--a one-sentence description of your novel--first. Expand that into a one-paragraph pitch to include in your query letter. Writing a one-page synopsis now seems effortless.
Hint #1: Write the one-paragraph pitch as a teaser, painting in broad strokes your main character, their goal and the antagonist that blocks it. Don't give away the ending. Your intent is to intrigue the agent into asking for apartial or full manuscript. Your one-page synopsis should give more details and reveal the ending.
Hint #2: Double-space your novel chapters but single-space query letters and synopses. If an agent or publisher requests a detailed outline, be kind to their eyes and double-space anything longer than three pages.
This article by Christopher Lockhart gives detailed instructions on creating loglines for character-driven and plot-driven screenplays, and gives pointers on writing query letters. You can easily adapt the basics of his method to novels.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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