I've been reading web sites on how to write a synopsis. I've found some helpful hints. My first synopsis for my new novel ASH, OAK AND IRON (since renamed to The Threefold Death) was a pure data dump. It sucked. I wrote a second version that was a briefer and less sucky version of my 30,000 word synopsis (I kid, but not by much).
Then I found a helpful hint on the intertubes that changed my approach to synopsis writing. The agent said 'write your synopsis as if you are summarizing your novel to a 12 year old child'. So I did that. The third version of my synopsis focuses on three characters and only the major events of my novel. It was actually easier to write than my first two versions because I de-invested (to hell with side-kicks) and just tried to get the main points of my novel across to the oh-so well read and witty twelve year old literary agent.
Now my synopsis is kid friendly. Sure there's sword play, sex, murder, discussion of second base and other subjects that I might not want to discuss with my twelve year old... but you get the point.
I have focused with laser-like precision on my reading audience--twelve year old literary agents with 6th-grade reading levels. Note: consider this an ego-driven snipe at those agents who are currently--or who will soon be--tossing my brilliantly written query letter into their circular filing cabinet!
Vengeance is mine!
Um, so to restate : My initial thought of writing two sentences (approximately) per chapter was a recipe for instant rejection IMHO. My synopsis is now a five page summary of the major events of my novel, enough information but not a data dump.
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