Synopsis Builder Spreadsheet

Most writers can write an entire novel more easily than they can summarize it in a page. That’s not a failure of skill. A synopsis asks you to do something completely different from storytelling. It asks you to step outside the story and explain its architecture. The Shadows & Ink Synopsis Builder is the exact framework Joe Mynhardt, Bram Stoker Award-winning editor and founder of Crystal Lake Publishing, uses in his own synopsis workshop, now built into a guided, fillable workbook you can use again and again. What’s Inside: A clear breakdown of what a synopsis actually is, what it must include, and the rules that make it work (present tense, third person, and yes — the ending) Exercise 1: The One-Sentence Summary — distill your entire story into a single, powerful sentence using a proven format Exercise 2: The 5-Point Skeleton — five guided questions that build the bare bones of your synopsis before you write a single paragraph Exercise 3: A Paragraph for Each Act — structured prompts for setup, conflict, and resolution, designed to combine into your rough draft A full annotated example (Frankenstein) showing every technique in action, including the professional convention of introducing character names in ALL CAPS A Common Mistakes guide covering the errors that weaken a synopsis before it ever reaches an agent or editor Who This Is For: Any author who has finished a manuscript and is dreading the synopsis that comes next. Whether you’re querying agents, submitting to a publisher, or entering a competition, this workbook turns a vague, overwhelming task into a series of small, manageable steps. Format: Delivered as an Excel spreadsheet (also compatible with Google Sheets) with a printable PDF version included for those who prefer pen and paper. One-time purchase. Yours to keep and reuse for every future manuscript.