a 500 word precis ... help and guidance please

[amner]

I need to write a 500 word precis of my current project and I'm having some difficulty. I managed to sum up the story, but in about 2,300 words! I did it a second time and came up with more...

Has anyone seen a good brief precis of a complicated novel, or have any tips they might want to pass on to me?

I'm at a bit of an impasse here.

cheers
.

[NottyImp]

Well, mate, it's an obvious point, but I'd go for themes rather than details. A brief plot summary will be needed, but that can surely only be a pretty sketchy affair in that number of words.

[Colyngbourne]

I agree there. I had to do a 500 word precis of mine and it was murder, cutting out so much of the meat of the plot, and losing some of the themes too. I would try working out a single paragraph, or single sentence that explains the story and working it up from there, rather than trying to cut down from 2000 words. If someone asks me in a conversation what the book is about, I have a few sentences that moreorless throw the thing together, plus a bit about broader themes and background.

I'd be quite happy to read it if you need a test opinion.