We've done it – we've written a great novel. It's going
through edits with a publisher and then we get the email that makes us bite our
nails to little bits:
Can you write a back cover blurb no more than 150 words and
a 25 word short blurb?
My muse, Juliet, rushes off to get a manicure. There's
nothing like a hand soothing manicure to revitalize the inspiration. Newly
painted nails always gets Juliet in the mood when she has to help me write a
blurb.
Blurb writing is not easy. You've got a novel/novella/short
story that you've got to sum up in a couple of paragraphs and you've got to
make it sound jazzy so it will entice a reader to buy and read.
I try the following: I introduce the hero/heroine (main
characters), state what the challenge is and what's at stake. It seems like a
lot, but it all comes down to verb choice for me. After I write an initial
rough draft blurb, I circle my verbs and strive to find stronger ones.
"Went" and "was" are two that I try to replace. If I have
an adverb, I try to eliminate it. Then I examine my adjectives and look for
punchier ones – tormented, hunted, captivated, destroyed, ruined, enthralled,
enchanted are all stronger words that come to mind.
With a short 25 word blurb, I try to state who my heroine
(or hero) is and the challenge they face.
I'd love to hear your tips and what works for you.
BIO:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.
Married with two boys, she lives in California. In her spare time, she's a
soccer mom, dance mom, cub & boy scout mom, and a writer. Her story,
"Made in America," won 8th place in Mainstream Fiction in
the 82nd Annual Writer's Digest Contest this year.
BLURB:
It's 2011 and
compressed natural gas has taken over from the coal producing steam machines of
the Victorian Age. Alice Windsor, Princess of York, follows her mischief-making
cousin, Edmund of Wales, back to 1851 where Prince Albert is hosting Britain's
Great Exhibition.
Alice soon finds
herself over her head in trouble. Edmund is determined to help Prince Albert
build a dirigible and the Prime Minister appears intent in preventing her from
stopping Edmund. Alice knows it's too early for the massive flying machine to
take to the air. Complicating matters is the passionate Grayson Kentfield, Earl
of Swinton. Alice can't stop her pulse from pounding when she's near him.
Can Alice give her
heart to a man from the past while working to stop Edmund from changing
history?
AWARDS FOR VICTORIAN SCOUNDREL:
2012 Romance of the Year at Deep in the Heart of Romance
2012 Bronze Winner, Romance: Historical, Reader's Favorites
Reviews
2011 Hope Chest Reviews Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance Series
BUY LINKS:
WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
YOU
TUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/
It sounds like an exciting story, Stephanie. I like how you write blurbs, and I'll try your tips.
ReplyDeleteI actually like writing blurbs. It's like outting a puzzle together. I write what the hero wants, what the heroine wants and what conflict may keep either from getting what they want. I like to keep the whole thing under 50 words.
ReplyDeleteI think they are more important than excerpts when posting on line because readers usually have limited time to shop for a new book.
Good subject, Steph.
Thanks,I need all the help I can get with blurbs. Can use those tips well. For reason, I hate, hate hate writing blurbs.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I hope it helps. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah, I agree - it's definately like hunting down puzzle pieces. I agree - time is limited so blurbs definately have to be jazzy.
Jean, before you write, try the manicure. ;) Heck, it can't hurt.
Smiles
Steph
Great Advice. I have to make sure mine is the best, so I'll give your suggestion a try! :)
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds great, Stephanie. I love the cover. Blurbs are difficult to write. You've got to get the essence of your story in just a few words. I don't have any trick to writing them. I write, then I rewrite and condense then I rewrite and condense until I have what I hope is good.
ReplyDeleteHi Steph, I agree blurbs are so difficult to write. The good blurbs are not those that summarize the story but those that state the conflict, attract interest and prompt us to buy the book. I often read and ponder the blurbs on Amazon to see which would encourage me to buy the book.
ReplyDeleteBlurb writing is always a challenge for me. I have to truly focus to hone the words down to the crispness I want - and that will tease the reader to want more.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Steph!
Great advice, Steph. I'm struggling with the blurb of my latest novel right now. Three attempts so far, and it's still not right. I'll get there eventually!
ReplyDeleteLove the story! Nice plot twists The advice on writing a blurb was helpful, too.
ReplyDeleteLadies, I agree - writing a blurb is never easy, but I think Mona really hit the nail on the head - you've got to state the conflict and then say what's at stake. I think that's the crux of "nailing" down a good blurb.
ReplyDeleteSmiles to all
Steph