How is it I can push through writing a +90,000-word book but struggle with a 150-word back-of-the-book blurb? I feel like the person in that photo: underwater and needing a lifeline. I've got the book blurb blues. There’s a lot of room in a book to tell a story, to build characters and sneak in plot twists. Not so with back-of-the-book blurbs. You’ve got a handful of words to make a reader want to know more about your story without giving too much away. It’s ad copy. It needs to hit hard and fast and hook the reader. It’s a different skill set from novel-writing, and one I’m still learning.
That’s where I’m at with the two new books in the series.
It’s also where I’m at with the five existing books in the series.
As regular readers of my blog will know, I’m heading down a rebranding path which includes revisiting the existing blurbs. No doubt I’m in for many frustrating hours banging my head against the wall hoping some precision wordsmithing falls out. I may need a helmet.
On a lighter note, we’re on the back end of herring season here on Denman Island, which means the seas lions have gorged and are lazing around in contented pods. From shore, what we see are dozens of sea lion flippers sticking out from the water at odd angles with the occasional snout making an appearance. But from the air, it’s a completely different perspective. Thanks to a friend with a drone, we were treated to some brand new and spectacular views. Until next time ... enjoy.
