How To Write A Synopsis

Let's start with the basics, what is a synopsis? It's the story in a nutshell: beginning, middle and end. Its aim is to tempt and tantalise the editor so she wants to see more. We want to see strong character development, sparky emotional conflict and all the twists and turns of the story. Above all allow your unique voice to shine through.

To help you craft your synopsis we've created a check list of our ten top tips...

• Have you shown the beginning, middle and end? Don't leave your synopsis on a cliff hanger thinking it will tantalise the reader, the editor needs to know what's going to happen!

• Does your synopsis target the series promise? Make sure your characters are living in the glitz, glamour and passion of the Presents world!

• Who is driving your story? Is it the main characters, and their emotions, or are you relying on secondary characters to create conflict?

• Have you shown your characters' motivations? The reader needs to understand and sympathise with the choices your characters have made in the past and in the present. It is these choices that tell the reader who the characters really are!

• Have you shown the characters' development? This shows us how the characters grow during the story - from the people they are at the beginning to who they become at the end. Let us see their emotional journey.

• What are the key turning points of the relationship? These are the elements that change the characters' relationship for better or worse and keep your story moving forward.

• Understand how key emotional themes work. You may have told us the hero is a gorgeous Greek billionaire or the heroine a shy virgin but the label isn't enough on its own. Create a character! Show us their layers. In the synopsis we need to understand who they are, their motivations and what drives them.

• Is the focus on the relationship development rather than the setting? No matter how glamorous the setting it's the characters that make it come alive.

• Have you given us the best bits? Show us the bare bones and the important emotional development. Too much detail overshadows. If you feel you need to cram in everything to your synopsis it may be that the characters and emotional conflict are not strong enough at present to drive the story.

• Last, but by no means least, keep it short! No more than 2 sides of A4. This should be sufficient to showcase your story. Challenge yourself, can you sum it up in just one exciting paragraph?

If you are struggling with any of the above this may highlight a potential issue within your story. You may need to go back and re-examine your characters and storyline.

We wish you the best of luck and happy synopsis writing!