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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Where to Start a Story Edit

February 28, 2023 by Guest Contributor 20 Comments

By Kristina Stanley and Lucy Cooke

Do you have a draft written but aren’t sure if there is a strong story in that draft?

In our book, Secrets to Editing Success, we go into great depth on how to perform a story edit—a structural edit—on any novel. We take the theory and show you the process to story edit.

We’re going to share some of our secrets here. And the first secret is how you know if there is a story in the draft.

The Most Important Question

Does the draft contain a story?

That’s a big one, and how do you answer it if you’ve just written that draft? And to go deeper, how do you answer it objectively?

First, You Perform a Story Test

What do we mean when we talk about having proof that there is a story? We are asking if you can write a synopsis.

We define a synopsis as a blurb plus the five story arc scenes plus the ending. A synopsis is a cinch when you know that’s all it boils down to.

When authors find it tough to write a synopsis, it’s normally because either they don’t have an understanding of what goes into the synopsis or there isn’t a full story yet.

A story synopsis is a tool you can use to determine if there is a story in the draft manuscript. We’re not asking you to write a polished synopsis. We’re asking you to write a skeleton synopsis.

Skeleton Synopsis = Skeleton Blurb + 5 Story Arc Scenes + Resolution

The first part of the story test is to create a skeleton blurb.

Skeleton Blurb

A skeleton blurb answers three simple questions.

  1. Who is the protagonist?
  2. What is the story goal?
  3. What is at stake?

The answers to these questions are found in every story. If you cannot answer them from the draft, then we can tell you the story promised is not there yet. And the draft is not ready to be edited.

With your skeleton blurb, you found the protagonist, the story goal, and the story stakes. With your skeleton synopsis, you will find the story.

The Skeleton Synopsis is Your Next Tool

A skeleton synopsis is a short description of the story.

Here is an outline for the skeleton synopsis:

The protagonist _________________ finds out the story goal __________________ (Inciting Incident). Then _______________________ happens, and the protagonist must go forward toward the story goal, (Plot Point 1). In the new “world,” ________________ happens, and the protagonist becomes proactive to the Story Goal (Middle Plot Point). But _______________________________ happens, and the protagonist’s hope is destroyed, they realize they must change to achieve the story goal (Plot Point 2). But the protagonist ______________________, and the world changes, they finally address the story goal (Climax).

To fill in the blanks, read the draft and find the inciting incident, plot point 1, the middle plot point, plot point 2, and the climax. Use the action in each of these scenes to fill in the blanks.

You can find out more about the story arc and how to find your story arc scenes at The Story Arc: Definitions & Examples.

Listing the Story Arc Scenes Shows You Whether There Is a Story.

  • Does the protagonist find out the story goal,
  • then something happens that propels the protagonist onto chasing the story goal,
  • so that they can learn to be proactive,
  • change themselves after all hope is lost,
  • and use what they have learned on their journey to answer the story goal that they found at the start of their journey?

What you just read is the most basic form of a story. And all great stories are structurally similar.

How to Create a Skeleton Synopsis

Step 1: Perform a Hands-Off Read-Through

A hands-off read-through means you read the story without making any changes.

Step 2: Name Every Scene

You can do this when you’re performing a hands-off read-through. A hands-off read-through means you read the story without making any changes, but you can and should make notes and name every scene.

When naming the scenes, find and label the inciting incident, plot point 1, the middle plot point, plot point 2, and the climax.

Step 3: Dig Deeper into the Story Arc Scenes

To write a skeleton synopsis at this stage, the following story elements for each story arc scene will help you set it up.

  1. Scene Name
  2. Point of View Character
  3. Point of View Character’s Goal
  4. Scene Middle
  5. Scene Climax
  6. Scene Impact on Point of View Character

Step 4: Create the Skeleton Synopsis

Now there are four clear steps to getting that skeleton synopsis done:

  1. Reference the skeleton blurb.
  2. Find the five Fictionary Story Arc scenes on the story arc.
  3. List scene name, scene middle, scene climax and impact on point of view character for each of these scenes.
  4. Summarize the ending showing the story’s resolution.

Step 5: Does the Draft Contain a Story?

The synopsis will help you determine if there is a story or not. You’ll find that if you can’t write the synopsis at this stage, then most likely the story is not finished. The attempt at writing a synopsis will highlight which portions of the story still need to be written.

If one of the 5 story arc scenes is missing, is in the wrong place, or doesn’t satisfy the requirements of a story scene, then there isn’t a story in the draft, yet.

It’s time to start revising the draft until the skeleton synopsis shows you there is a story. Once there is a story, you can move on to a full story edit.

All of this is covered in depth in Secrets to Editing Success: The Creative Story Editing Method.

Ready to become an exceptional editor? Whether you’re working on your own manuscript or helping clients succeed, this guide shows you how to structurally edit and make every story better. Learn how to evaluate at both the story and scene level using Fictionary’s proven process and 38 Story Elements, so you know exactly what needs to be strengthened, and where!


Combining her degree in computer mathematics with her success as a bestselling, award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina Stanley founded Fictionary and is the CEO. Fictionary helps writers and editors create better stories faster with software, an online community, editing services and training.

Her most recent publication is Secrets to Editing Success: The Creative Story Editing Method. Her novels include The Stone Mountain mystery series and Look the Other Way. Her first novel Descent was nominated for the 2014 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Arthur for excellence in crime writing. Blaze was shortlisted for the 2014 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger.


Lucy Cooke is a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor and Business Development Manager at Fictionary. Secrets to Editing Success is her first book. She teaches editing through the Fictionary community, and she is an instructor for the Fictionary Certified StoryCoach program. Her passion is story, and she’s dedicated to helping others create the best story possible.

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Filed Under: Editing Tips, Guest Post, Revision and Editing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda Nichols says

    March 4, 2023 at 12:21 am

    Thank you for such an insightful post. I often create a synopsis as a basic outline before I start to write. Never though about using it to edit It also helps when writing the blurb, the bane of my existence.

    I see so many blurbs that tell almost all of the story plot. Better to hit the high points and leave questions in a reader’s mind they have to have answered.

    I do like the simplicity of your synopsis example. Thanks for that also.

    Reply
  2. Raymond Walker says

    March 2, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    I just wanted to thank you for a great post. I Have my own parameters for measuring such things (taught them years ago) but yours are clear and succinct and a great deal simpler. Great info for new writers methinks.

    Reply
  3. V.M. Sang says

    March 1, 2023 at 5:42 am

    Thank you for such a helpful post. I have two finished stories at the moment, and this will help me a great deal.

    Reply
    • Kristina Stanley says

      March 1, 2023 at 6:35 am

      Hi V.M.

      Thank you for you kind comment. Have fun revising your stories.

      Reply
    • Lucy Cooke says

      March 1, 2023 at 10:00 am

      Hi V.M. Sang,

      Congratulations on your stories.

      The story editing stage is such fun!

      Lucy

      Reply
  4. Dedra Davis says

    February 28, 2023 at 12:02 pm

    I have a story with multiple POVs—three!

    When I write a synopsis, do I write one for all three POVs? Or do I blend them into the synopsis? My story structure is Part I, II, and II. In other words, they all tell their side of the story, and all three characters change and evolve as the story develops. Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Kristina Stanley says

      March 1, 2023 at 6:38 am

      Hi Debra,

      Great questions. That answer depends on how many words you are aiming for. Our suggested approach is to choose one character and writer the first pass at the synopsis for them. To choose which character, look at who is the main on driving the story and who has the most to lose if they story goal is not met. Then, if the word count allows you can start adding POV characters the the synopsis.

      Reply
      • Dedra Davis says

        March 1, 2023 at 9:08 pm

        Thank you! That makes sense!

        Reply
    • Lucy Cooke says

      March 2, 2023 at 6:58 am

      Hi Debra,

      Your story sounds super!

      Three POV characters who all change and evolve as the story develops, brilliant!

      A synopsis is the distilled version of your story.

      As Kristina so brilliantly said, keep an eye on that word limit, and keep an eye on who the protagonist is. And what the story goal is.

      Writing a synopsis is such fun when you know the skeleton synopsis method.

      Reply
      • Dedra Davis says

        March 2, 2023 at 10:50 am

        Thank you so much! I hope it is! haha It won an Honorable Mention yesterday in the #kidsChoiceKidlitWritingContest!

        Reply
        • Lucy Cooke says

          March 2, 2023 at 11:42 am

          Hi Dedra,

          Wow!

          That is such brilliant news!

          Congratulations!

          Reply
  5. Kestrel Geiger says

    February 28, 2023 at 11:17 am

    Having just been through a Fictionary Story edit and using the StoryTeller app to rewrite my manuscript, I am a huge fan. Thank you for including this information in your blog. Fictionary has recently added features that help you write both your blurb and your synopsis. This is on top of the original features that help you find your story arc by analyzing each scene using character, plot, and setting through the 38 story elements.
    My story edit pointed out a major error in my timeline. I used the timeline feature at One Stop for Writers to help reset it and correct it. It was a wonderfully simple way to fix the issue and get my story back on track. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristina Stanley says

      March 1, 2023 at 6:38 am

      Hi Kestrel,

      Thank you for the comments and your insights into Fictionary.

      Reply
    • Lucy Cooke says

      March 2, 2023 at 7:00 am

      Hi Kestrel,

      So glad you are having story success with both Fictionary and OneStop, your story will be powerful!

      Lucy

      Reply
  6. ANGELA ACKERMAN says

    February 28, 2023 at 10:57 am

    Testing a story is so important. I think one thing that trips writers up is they jump into editing without realizing they need to make sure the core story is in place. It’s good to be enthusiastic about improving a story, but making sure the basic foundation is there saves so much frustration and time. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing this plan to find that core story!

    Reply
    • Kristina Stanley says

      March 1, 2023 at 6:39 am

      Angela, thank you for hosting us .We love working with you!

      Reply
    • Lucy Cooke says

      March 2, 2023 at 7:03 am

      Hi Angela,

      A synopsis is so much fun to write, and so enlightening.

      Just by writing out your story’s core, you gain so much structural clarity.

      Thank you for everything.

      Reply
  7. MINDY ALYSE WEISS says

    February 28, 2023 at 6:59 am

    Thanks so much for your helpful post! I especially love the outline for a skeleton synopsis. So many people panic when they need to write a synopsis, and you gave great step by step directions to guide them through it without yanking out all their hair.

    Reply
    • Kristina Stanley says

      March 1, 2023 at 6:39 am

      Hi Mindy,

      You are so right. A synopsis is difficult to write. I’m glad the skeleton synopsis appeals to you.

      Reply
    • Lucy Cooke says

      March 2, 2023 at 7:06 am

      Hi Mindy,

      Totally agree, a synopsis can be tough to write without a process.

      But once you have a process to crafting a synopsis, the synopsis can be a joy to write.

      The added bonus is you are able to see with absolute certainty how structurally sound your story is!

      Synopsis writing rocks, with a synopsis writing process.

      Reply

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