Matching query/synopsis

[Mouse]

So... I have one query letter and two synopses so far. Each synopsis centres around a different MC (my trouble is that I kinda have two MCs) but my query only focuses on the one MC.

That is, my query is about my male MC, Ambrose. One synopsis is about him, and the other synopsis is about my female MC, Jenn.

Should I write another query for Jenn? So that my query letter and synopsis match? Or would it not matter if I sent the Ambrose query with the Jenn synopsis?

Am I making any sense?

 

[The Judge]

I'd match them, I think, so as not to confuse people.

You could always go the third way and have a query and synopsis which dealt with both of them!

 

[Mouse]

Don't confuse matters, TJ! They are both mentioned in both synops, it's just that one or the other is the focus. To make them both the focus of one would do me in!

Looks like I'll have to attempt another query.

 

[Boneman]

Whose story is it? You only want one synopsis, so go with Ambrose... (I will look at it shortly, honest...)

 

[Mouse]

If you haven't looked yet, Boneman, I might resend as I've been fiddling with it all day today!

Thing is, Ambrose makes a better query letter but I think Jenn's synopsis is better!

Another q, does is matter if some of the same text is used in the query and the synopsis?!

 

[prizzley]

Thing is, Ambrose makes a better query letter but I think Jenn's synopsis is better!

I think you have to decide which is your main character and write both the query letter and the synopsis from that person's perspective. I have a similar problem in that 2 main characters share the story with alternating POV. Interestingly, while I have no doubt that "he" is the mc, my female readers have chosen "her" as the mc. I would fear that "mixing them" will confuse your reader and not help your chances.

Another q, does is matter if some of the same text is used in the query and the synopsis?!

I'd avoid this like the plague!

 

[Mouse]

I'd avoid this like the plague!

That's what I thought, but then why? A synopsis is just a longer query, right? And half the agents I've read about say they rarely even bother reading the synopsis. Hell, one said he only 'skimmed' the query, read the sample chapters, and only if he liked the sample would he look at the synopsis.

 

[prizzley]

Maybe, but given there a few agents interested in sff and they'll be inundated with wannabe writers, why risk messing up your few chances to shine?

 

[Mouse]

I've just been reading more about it, and I don't think you tend to send query and synopsis together anyway. You send the query first, asking if they want the synop and sample chapters. Or, you send a cover letter, synop and sample chapters. (This is for the UK).

 

[Warren_Paul]

Yes, the american way of doing things is to send the query letter first, and only if they like the query do you send the synopsis and sample chapters.


I don't see the problem with part of the query letter being repeated in the synopsis. Because really, the part I suspect you're likely referring to is a portion of the synopsis - you just expand on it when you write the whole page version.


As to who should be the focus in the synopsis, I'd have thought Ambrose - isn't he more the focus in the book?

 

[Abernovo]

I don't know, WP. I always thought Jenn was the character who drove much of the novel, and Ambrose was who she was focussed on. He's definitely on of the two main characters, but, in many ways, he's someone things happen to, whereas Jenn is more active. That's the dichotomy between them.

Kind of reiterating TJ's comment here, but can't you write a synopsis that shows that they're the two main characters, whose lives unexpectedly become entwined? That way you show both are equally important, but the story has a definite direction. Hopefully that makes sense?

 

[Warren_Paul]

Trying to focus on them both might drive the word count up and make it tricky to get the flow going, but it isn't impossible.

If that is the case Aber, then it sounds to me like Jenn has become more of a main protagonist than Ambrose? If Ambrose is a passive character, and Jenn the active one driving the story forward then personally, if I couldn't make a synopsis focusing on them both blend together, then I'd go for Jenn over Ambrose. If she really does play a more active role.

Of course, only reading patches here and there of the book, I can't say for sure who is more suited. You could always do two query letters as well and then see which one gets more interest - I'd bet on Jenn - then drop the one that isn't working.

 

[alchemist]

In a previous thread, I think I was one who suggested focusing the query and synopsis on one main character (but referencing the other, of course). Jenn drives the novel but given the title, and the ending, Ambrose is the MC, IMO.

So, in answer to the questions... stick to one character as the focus.
... try not to repeat in the synopsis and query. Your word count is limited and repeating yourself eats up words where you could put something new and intriguing.

All IMO of course.

 

[Mouse]

Thank you, guys.

I've been kinda thinking of it as Jenn's story of Ambrose's story. Jenn's definitely the one who pushes it along, but Ambrose is the one at the centre of everything.

Sooooo... Um. Maybe I should go for Ambrose's synopsis. Lots of advice on synopses say about getting the 'theme' of the novel over and as the theme's redemption I can only get that over from his I think.

Difficult this, isn't it! Next WiP will have one MC, I swear.

 

[Abernovo]

I've been kinda thinking of it as Jenn's story of Ambrose's story. Jenn's definitely the one who pushes it along, but Ambrose is the one at the centre of everything.

Exactly. That's what I was trying to get at. Words: not always my forte.

Nothing similar in the writing, but I always like the Sherlock Holmes story idea. Dr Watson is important, but he's always relating the tale of Holmes. So he might be the centre, the 'I', but the focus is through him, not on him.

 

[Mouse]

Cool, thanks, Aber.

 

[Warren_Paul]

Interesting. Would be curious to see what a synopsis of Sherlock Holmes books look like. Are they written from Dr Watson's focus, or Sherlock Holmes...?

I wonder... a synopsis from Jenn's perspective but about Ambrose... I think I've suggested that before, haven't I?


Just an idea. It might end up being too convoluted. Well, Mouse knows best, so maybe Ambrose is the way to go.

 

[Mouse]

Interesting. Would be curious to see what a synopsis of Sherlock Holmes books look like. Are they written from Dr Watson's focus, or Sherlock Holmes...?

So would I actually. Might go and see if I can find any examples.

I wonder... a synopsis from Jenn's perspective but about Ambrose... I think I've suggested that before, haven't I?

I kinda think Jenn's synopsis is like that already. Hmm.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Mouse, can I pass on a tip that was given to me. No matter which POV your synopsis is from try and produce a 1000 word one, a 500 word one, a 250 word one and finally sum up your novel in one sentence. Practice the one sentence one, because one day you will be at a Convention and be asked, "What is your book about?" by an agent or publisher. Having a sharp, concise answer is a godsend.

 

[prizzley]

I've just been reading more about it, and I don't think you tend to send query and synopsis together anyway. You send the query first, asking if they want the synop and sample chapters. Or, you send a cover letter, synop and sample chapters. (This is for the UK).

Actually Mouse, everything I've read on UK agents websites says categorically DON'T send a query letter on its own. They want to judge your writing and they can't do that from a query letter.