I thought writing a novel was tough, but that was before I had to write a blurb. What's a blurb? Well for those of us just getting started, it is the short, attention grabbing summary of your novel that appears on the back cover or the dust jacket. Notice, I said summary not synopsis. A synopsis of a book is much longer than a short summary designed to grab a reader's attention.
Now, I know the elements of creating a blurb. An effective blurb brings the setting and main character together; describes the main character's problem, obstacle, or quest; hints at the resolution without giving it away; and does all of that while creating excitement and mystery. Sounds easy enough--right? Wrong!
One of my favorite books, A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park conquered the burb. Ms. Park first introduces the main character, Tree-ear, an orphan boy in ancient China. Then she brings in the problem--Tree-ear wants to learn how to make beautiful pottery, but an orphan has little chance to learn such an honored profession because of the culture and restrictions of the time period. She ends her blurb with this thought provoking passage:
"Realizing a dream can be very hard, though. Sometimes a dream can seem so far away, it almost disappears. But maybe if Tree-ear takes it one hill, one valley, on day at a time, just maybe, he'll be able to make his dream come true."
Sold! I bought the book on the spot. I guess one of the easiest ways to learn how to write a blurb is to read and analyze ones from the books written in the genre you write in. An editor friend of mine, Ms. Valerie Haley, gave me these suggestions. While they were on how to write a tag (which I will talk about next week), they work for a blurb as well.
"Most protagonists have a flaw or perhaps a goal/quest they must attain
which at times need to jump over hurdles to win. These hurdles come from an
antagonist or even supernatural forces or just plain hurricanes/tornadoe s/etc.
or other lovers, or trying to win over a love. Now you combine these elements."
Excellent advice! With it, I was able to finish my blurb for my upcoming book, Search for the Red Ghost, contracted for a Fall release by MuseItUp Publishing. I'd love to share it, but I can't. At least not yet. But, I promise to do so in the near future. Until then, keep reading those blurbs. Maybe you'll find a treasure like I did when I read the one on the back cover of A Single Shard.
Now, I know the elements of creating a blurb. An effective blurb brings the setting and main character together; describes the main character's problem, obstacle, or quest; hints at the resolution without giving it away; and does all of that while creating excitement and mystery. Sounds easy enough--right? Wrong!
One of my favorite books, A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park conquered the burb. Ms. Park first introduces the main character, Tree-ear, an orphan boy in ancient China. Then she brings in the problem--Tree-ear wants to learn how to make beautiful pottery, but an orphan has little chance to learn such an honored profession because of the culture and restrictions of the time period. She ends her blurb with this thought provoking passage:
"Realizing a dream can be very hard, though. Sometimes a dream can seem so far away, it almost disappears. But maybe if Tree-ear takes it one hill, one valley, on day at a time, just maybe, he'll be able to make his dream come true."
Sold! I bought the book on the spot. I guess one of the easiest ways to learn how to write a blurb is to read and analyze ones from the books written in the genre you write in. An editor friend of mine, Ms. Valerie Haley, gave me these suggestions. While they were on how to write a tag (which I will talk about next week), they work for a blurb as well.
"Most protagonists have a flaw or perhaps a goal/quest they must attain
which at times need to jump over hurdles to win. These hurdles come from an
antagonist or even supernatural forces or just plain hurricanes/tornadoe s/etc.
or other lovers, or trying to win over a love. Now you combine these elements."
Excellent advice! With it, I was able to finish my blurb for my upcoming book, Search for the Red Ghost, contracted for a Fall release by MuseItUp Publishing. I'd love to share it, but I can't. At least not yet. But, I promise to do so in the near future. Until then, keep reading those blurbs. Maybe you'll find a treasure like I did when I read the one on the back cover of A Single Shard.
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