The Synopsis Disarmed with Lauren Mackenzie

Course Summary

As our International Debut Novel Competition is open for submissions from 1 April to 8 May, this might be the perfect time for a one-day workshop on writing the synopsis of your novel or memoir.

To distil one’s three hundred page story to a single page is a difficult and sometimes painful process. This workshop will consider the purpose of a synopsis, what is essential and what is not, and how to make those decisions while also preserving the magic of the original material.

Course Outline

This will be a workshop-based class. In tandem with workshopping participant’s work, we will discuss definitions and the purpose of synopses, and ways to achieve that, specific to the qualities of the original work. We will also take a close look at story arcs, character goals, obstacles, emotion and theme and consider ways to present stories that don’t fit into the standard narrative box – multiple timelines, unconventional structures etc.

Ideally, participants will attend with the draft of a one-page synopsis of their writing project, but if not, we can discuss, after a briefing of the project, what the participant needs to decide to get started.

There will be a one hour break for lunch.

Course Outcomes

Participants will leave with comprehensive notes for a new draft of their synopses. Or notes and direction to write the first draft of a synopsis.

Lauren Mackenzie has extensive experience in both film and television as screenwriter, story editor and creative producer. Her work includes award winning drama series for RTE, TV3, TG4 and BBC. With the support of Arts Council Bursaries, her short fiction and poetry have been published in The Irish Times, Banshee, and The Stinging Fly among others. Her first novel, The Couples, a winner of 2021’s Novel Fair was published in 2023 with John Murray Press. She is currently finishing her second novel.