In the course of writing a complete manuscript, I always forget how hard the query and synopsis parts are. I mean, they seem so simple, right? 3-4 pages that sum up the novel for a synopsis, and 2-3 paragraphs of catchy overview for the query. Simple.
Not so much.
When I think of a query, specifically, I think of packing for a vacation. You’ve got a suitcase that is only so big, but you want to cram everything into it. All the clever dialogue. The racks of exciting action scenes. The humorous chapter titles. The enthralling subplots. You want it all stuffed into the box so that when the agent/editor reads your query, every ounce of your writing potential is oozing through the cracks. (wow, I’m really mixing imagery today, aren’t I?)
The problem here is that this leads to information overload and (the killer of queries) confusion. The logic of the story gets mangled for the sake of mashing everything together, because you don’t want to hurt the story’s feelings by leaving out any important bits.
I’ve learned that more is less, when it comes to a query. There needs to be a tight focus. I ask myself what is the main plot, and try to draw it down to a single protagonist and antagonist, if I can, rather than referring to every minor character and walk-on.
There’s a particular formula that, while the end result may look wildly different in every case, does represent the essence of what the story summary paragraphs in a query are supposed to portray:
Protagonist A wants Objective B because of Big Motivation C. But Antagonist D is doing everything in his/her/their power to keep Protagonist A from reaching Objective B because of Big Motivation E.
Does that make sense? You’re basically answering the questions Who? What? and Why? Nothing more, nothing less.
The fun comes in that you are not only trying to communicate these cores of the story, but also trying to do so in a way that shows your writer’s voice and gives a sense of the adventure and uniqueness that the novel holds. That’s a lot for 2-3 paragraphs, no? And while it might become more familiar each time, I don’t think it ever gets much easier.
Do you have a particular method or approach for queries?
I see that smile.