Welcome to Open Book Blog Hop. You can find us every Monday talking about the writing life. I hope you'll check out all the posts: you'll find the links at the bottom of this post.
We've talked blurbs before. Do you have any tips for writing blurbs?
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Ah! That great joy in the life of a writer: the writing of the blurb.
It's easy right? Just take everything you've spent months or years turning into a novel, and present it in a paragraph or so in such a way that every who reads the blurb will want to read the book!
I'm joking of course.
Even writers who have mastered the task get a sort of haunted look in their eyes when they talk about blurb-writing.
It's a high pressure piece of writing.
In a very small space, you need to tell enough about your book to arouse curiosity, but not give it all away, and inspire folks to want to read the rest.
Honestly, I'd rather just write another novel.
But I do have a few tips for how to do it, now that I've been through it a few times.
1. Remember that the blurb is not a synopsis. Do not try to describe all that your book is. Piquing curiosity is better that being fully descriptive in this case.
2. Try to match the tone of the book. Is it funny? Then your blurb should also be funny. Is it heartwarming and sincere? Snarky? Serious? Inspiring? Reading the blurb should give the reader a sense of the tone or feel of the book.
3. Workshop it. If you've got beta readers, critique partners, or friends who've read your work, they can be a great resource. It's easier to blurb someone else's work than it is to do your own, so I always ask for help when it's blurb writing time.
So, yes, definitely one of the great challenges of a writing life, but so important! The cover and the blurb are the two best tools you have for helping a reader decide if your book is one they'll enjoy.
What attracts or puts you off in book blurbs? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments!
“The Change” is difficult for everyone, but for these four women, the transformation is bigger than they ever imagined!
They all led completely normal, and completely different lives, with two things in common: they used natural products made by the same small company, and they were all going through menopause. Now instead of finding her hot flashes under control, Helen shoots fire from her fingertips! Patricia’s thick skin isn’t nearly as metaphorical as it used to be – now she’s bulletproof! Jessica’s mood lightened, but so did the rest of her! And Linda’s gone through the biggest changes of all, but she doesn’t have any trouble opening the pickle jar anymore!
Four ordinary women suddenly living extraordinary lives, with one common thread – there’s one person in common in all their lives. Now the Menopausal Superheroes are looking for the woman responsible for taking their “change” to the extreme!