Pro Novelist » When to Write a Novel Synopsis?

Well, anbody out there considered you want a synopsis of your novel? I’m damn sure most of you have considered- or at least you are going to consider writing one sooner or later. When exactly does one need a synopsis? Of coure, it depends upon the novelist concerned.

Usually a novelist wishes he/she had a synopsis during the following times:
-before beginning a novel
-during the writing process
-just finished the novel

Which time is the best?
Well, as a matter of fact- it depends upon the novelist. That is, any time can work out. But usually novelists prefer to write synopsis first- that is during the time when the ideas to be included in your novels pops into your mind. Writing a synopsis before writing your novel can have the following Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages of writing the Synopsis before the novel:

-A synopsis is like a map to your novel.
-This will help you with your plotting and the synopsis can be a guide for you while you write.
-You don’t get bogged down in all the details (mainly because you aren’t aware of all the details yet).
-Once you already have an agent and you are discussing future projects, you can present your ideas in this one-page synopsis format for your agent to look at and give his/her opinion on.

Disadvantages of writing the Synopsis before the novel:

-The body and content of synopsis is never a constant.
-The story changes its face as it gets weaved- and so does your synopsis.
-It has to be edited several times.

Preparing a synopsis before hand can give a very good boost while rewriting your novel. (Oh yes, you’ll have to re-write your novel during editing.)
If you have prepared a synopsis before writing the first draft, the scenario works out like this: You have completed your first draft and you have your ‘multiple-edited-synopsis’ with you. All you need to do is to fair out the synopsis that you have got and re-write it as the second draft with the help of your first draft. It’s a really easy method to make a thick juice from a literally ‘fleshless‘ fruit.

This article is only written from my point of view. Most of the people out there will have more comments and suggestions from their point of view too. So please share your valuable views and comments about the above article- you simply don’t know HOW much I’d love to her your opinion!