Writing Advice

The Character-Based Synopsis is a great approach for a synopsis.

STEP #1 THE HOOK: Either a unique opening line in the first character sketch, (a bold opening to the heroine/hero), or a snappy/humorous/opening line over viewing the book's premise.

STEP #2 INTERNAL CONFLICT: Two paragraphs, one of the heroine, one for the hero, describing their relevant back story and the key internal conflict they must overcome to find love. You want to focus a bit on the layers here __the past marriages, relationships with parents, or pivotal trauma that has molded your character and made her/him who she/he is. This internal conflict will be overcome in a black moment, when your character realizes her/his weakness/fear & leaves it behind in the name of love.

STEP #3 EXTERNAL CONFLICT. One paragraph, usually the set up that brings the hero and heroine together and establishes the external conflict blocking their way. It could be the hit men trying to kill them, a murder to solve, brother's name to clear, serial killer ex-husband, etc.

STEP #4 HERO & HEROINE WORK TOGETHER. First plot point is usually the one that makes the hero & heroine temporarily overlook their differences and work together.

STEP # 5 INTIMACY The forced contact of working together, and of course, raging attraction, make the hero/heroine succumb to physical intimacy__whether it be the first kiss, or making love, whatever suits you at this point.

STEP #5 THE MORNING AFTER Hero/heroine promptly remember all their fears, fall back on their INTERNAL CONFLICT and reject each other.

STEP #6 HERO/HEROINE WORK TOGETHER AGAIN. This PLOT POINT normally  brings them back together again. (Court case, space pirates, alien invasion, eviction proceedings, missing person, murder, whatever monkey wrench you want to toss into the story at this point.)

STEP #7 is the SHOWDOWN/BLACK MOMENT This is the PLOT POINT/ TURNING POINT where you need a big showdown to bring everything up to a high tension level.

STEP # 8 is the RESOLUTION. The bad guys are now revealed/caught. The situation changes and is reversed. The Hero/Heroine are reunited.

The advantage of this type of story outline is that it uses the external conflict to develop your characters' relationship with each other. It also focuses on the layers of   your characters and their journey to self-realization. Any editor who is biased toward character will favor this type of outline/synopsis.