Saturday, August 06, 2011

Okay, I'm to that fun stage of the manuscript--revisions, which I love to do--it gives me the opportunity to fine tune the story, add this, that and the other thing to punch up emotions, conflicts, etc, and I always find it interesting how much more I can find to say about the characters/story line on revision rounds.

Years ago, when I was e-pubbed, we wrote our own backcover copy, based on a 100 word model put out there by an author I whose name isn't coming readily to mind (because it's been so long), and the link for it is on the dead computer. So I went searching the Internet to find more tips on writing, essentially, backcover copy. Why? Because, it's a very effective way of summarizing the story and can be incorporated into the synopsis. It should be punchy, eye-catching and exciting, which probably could go without saying. After all, the purpose of the backcover blurb is to entice the reader to put the book in the cart and take it to the checkout stand, right?

The model my publisher had us use involved a 100 word blurb. When you have only 100 words, it's important and necessary to make them all count. Amazing how many weak verbs, unnecessary adjectives and sentence construction variations can creep in to weaken our work. As with the manuscript itself, you want to rely on active sentence construction, vivid verbs and strong words that convey mood, setting, emotion, characterization. It can be frustrating, especially the first (several hundred)
attempt(s), but don't let the frustration win.

Found some links to share on the writing of the backcover blurb.

Writing an Effective Book Summary

Writing a Short Book Blurb

How to Write a Blurb

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Writing is physical work. It's sweaty work. You just can't will yourself to become a good writer. You really have to work at it. ~Will Haygood

The secret of becoming a writer is to write, write and keep on writing. ~Ken MacLeod

There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write. ~Terry Pratchett

Writing energy is like anything else. The more you put in, the more you get out.~ Richard Reeves

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