I'm going to enter a novel competitition, and here are the guidelines for a one page synopsis:

A synopsis is a short version of your entire manuscript. It provides a thematic overview by
introducing your characters and explaining the plot/resolution in a logical, chronological order. It should be written in third person, present tense, using the same voice / writing style as your novel. It should illustrate the struggle, offering specific examples of the protagonist’s efforts and the antagonist’s counter-measures, and describe the tension or suspense which exists between the characters. Your synopsis should provide concise biographical information on the principal characters. What role do they play, protagonist, antagonist…? Where/when does the story take place? What is the story goal / objective? What is the plot’s conflict? Who has what at risk? If there are sub-plots, only the primary one should be explained, and how it contributes to the novel by enhancing either/both the plot and/or character development. It should describe the final crisis and how the protagonist succeeds/fails in accomplishing his/her story goal. What is the state of his/her universe after the climax? Does (s)he resolve to change or not change as a result?

Yuk! How on earth am I supposed to fit all that in one page? Here was my first attempt:

A psychological thriller

Sokorri Templeton is a starving artist, living in Jacksonville Florida. She agrees to participate in a trail to treat Post Traumatic Stress disorder. As soon as she starts the trial, strange things start to happen: Her best friend turns against her. Two of her fellow trial participants are murdered, and objects around her begin to morph, appearing and disappearing before her eyes.
Soon the truth becomes abundantly clear: Sokorri Templeton is in an insane asylum and has imagined everything.
Or has she?
The protagonist, psychiatrist Emilio Cortez, begins to act suspiciously in the eyes of other therapists. They suspect him of patient abuse, and when the police are called Cortez decides he must kill Sokorri Templeton to conceal the truth.
What is so terrible about Sokorri’s past that Cortez must kill her? We soon find out that Cortez calls himself ‘The Operator’ in his spare time, and he is the head of a massive underground kiddie porn ring.
Sokorri Templeton is not insane at all, she is suffering from a severe form of Post Traumatic Stress, caused by her forced participation in porn as a child. Her PTSD results in her fantasy world becoming a reality. Can she separate her two worlds in order to save herself?
The answer is yes. Sokorri escapes, kills Doctor Cortez, and returns to reality.
Or does she?

It feels dreadful and I have no idea how to fix it :/. This is exactly one page, double-spaced. Any idead would be GREATLY welcomed.

Eussie, why don't you join the Synopsis & Outline group and/or post this in the archive?

Dee

I'll do that...thanks

BTW cortez is the antagonist...not the protagonist (mistake above!)

Hello, what's the comp?

Best
Sion

http://www.marylandwriters.org/contest2005.html

It's just a little one. It sounded friendly...

I am waiting to be accepted into the group. In the meantime, I've made it a little better (I think):

Protagonist Sokorri Templeton is a starving artist with a traumatic past, living in Jacksonville, Florida. Her stable world is thrown into a tail spin when she agrees to participate in a clinical drug trial to treat her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her best friend turns against her. Two of her fellow trial participants are murdered, and the world around her begins to morph, appearing and disappearing before her eyes.
Soon the truth is too clear to ignore: Sokorri is in an insane asylum and has imagined everything.
Or has she?
The antagonist, psychiatrist Emilio Cortez, machinates in secret to sabotage the trials, while Nichessa Gooding, the visiting psychiatrist heading the drug trial becomes suspicious. She suspects him of patient abuse, and when the police are called Cortez decides he must kill Sokorri Templeton to conceal the truth.
What is so terrible about Sokorri’s past that Cortez must kill her? We soon find out that Cortez calls himself ‘The Operator’ in his spare time, and he is the head of a massive child pornography ring.
Sokorri Templeton is not insane at all, she is suffering from a severe form of Post Traumatic Stress, caused by her forced participation in the ring as a child. Her PTSD results in her fantasy world becoming a reality. Can she separate her two worlds in order to save herself?
The answer is yes. Sokorri escapes, kills Doctor Cortez, and returns to reality.
Or does she?

Thanks, Eussie. Might be worth a go if I can bear to re write my synopsis.

Best
Sion

Hey, I live in Maryland!
Is my entry fee cheaper since I'm in-state?