MICHAEL G'FRANCISCO Chicago's-Mystery-Author

Let's first understand that a synopsis is a brief summary of your novel. This one or two page narrative (some say up to four pages) of your work is probably the greatest selling tool in your writing toolbox.

Some call it a "sales pitch" on paper. Your typed words tell several things to an agent or editor: Its relates how tight and concise you can express yourself and entices the reader to want to read the entire manuscript.

Most agents and editors will request (after you caught their interest in your query letter) a synopsis and one or three chapters to further review your work. Never send a manuscript unless specifically requested by an agent or editor. In most cases, if you do, it's like asking for an automactic rejection. Be as professional as possible and you will have a good chance of your work being read.

Once you're a successful author you can, in some cases, sell your work on the basis of a synopsis or an outline of your intended novel.

In today's world almost every writer has a computer. If so, you can't go wrong using Microsoft Word (Mac or PC) to write your novel.

Make sure your computer can deliver your material on a disk, because some editors may request you forward your work in that form. Use a fonts, such as; 12 point New Times Roman, Arial, Courier or similar. Nothing fancy.

Be sure to use a good grade of computer paper. Double-space with at least a one inch margin. Never send your original work, only a copy. Don't bind or staple pages, use a paper clip. When asked to forward a synopsis and some chapters, don't FedEx Air, Airborne or UPS. That spells amateur. And, don't request a signed receipt. Just forward your material US Postal Service First Class. If you want to know if your work was received, enclosed a SAS post card and a SASE for their reply.

At the top of the page in the left-hand corner, type in your name, address, phone number and E-mail address. In the right-hand corner type in the novel's genre, the word count and the word "synopsis. Drop down a four single lines and center type in capital letters the novel's title.

If there are more than one page, the second and all other pages should have at the top from the left-hand corner your name or initials, the novel title and the word synopsis (this is called a "slugline"). And, a page number should appear in the righ-hand corner. Again, drop down four single lines and continue the synopsis.

Now, be sure that you write your synopsis in the present tense. Relate the entire story. Don't hold back the ending. Remember, the synopsis is a brief story of your novel.

Don't use a lot of adverbs and adjectives, just tell the story in a concise and flowing manner. Made it easy to read, but be sure it contains a "HOOK" that the agent or editor can use to either sell or promote the book.

The hook can tell what the story is all about in one or two sentences or relate the "crisis" of the story. In other words it can be done in action dialogue or with atmosphere and mood. It can be a question, a statement that elicits emotion, or even a denovement (a solution of a plot of a novel or play).

An important rule is to keep yourself out of the synopsis. In other words, forget the word " I " . Don't review your own story by any wording to how good it is or any type of self-praise.

In conclusion, write your synopsis and then edit it until it's glowing with good diction. Don't completely depend on spell-check it can't distinguish between some words, such as: there and their, then and than etc. Misspelled words and poor grammer is a giant turn off to an editor. Believe, he/she will not ask to read your manuscript.

Always keep trying to be professional in your writing habits and be patience, remember Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was the world. GOOD LUCK!!