"Don’t expect to find one
right way to make yourself more creative."
Writing tip of the day:
G'day guys,
As discussed in other posts, writing is one thing, but marketing it is vital. The cover is important, so is the blurb on the back cover. I guess you have to think laterally. As you sit in your favourite writing place, you have to imagine why a reader would walk into a store and pick up your book and buy it when there are thousands of others to choose from. You have possibly already written a story synopsis and chapter summary, so you have a fair idea how to precis' or cut to the chase - or be 'economical with words' as I call it. Here are a few points on writing a blurb on the back cover. Quite simply, it must seduce the reader to buy it.
1. In a bookstore or on the web, readers only take eight seconds to make up their mind about whether or not they want to buy a book. EIGHT SECONDS!
2. The first hook is the cover. Is it attractive? Is it engaging and relevant to the story within?
3. The second hook is the blurb. This is your only chance to convince a perspective reader that they really need to read your book. And, you only have about 100 words to do it.
Elements of a good blurb.
a. A hook. Something intriguing to draw the reader into the story.
b. A powerful opening statement.
c. Emotion to engage the reader.
d. A payoff or promise that leaves the reader wanting to know more.
e. Pose a question ... what if ...?
f. Use the present tense.
g. The blurb should reflect tone, author’s voice and atmosphere.
h. Don't give any vital details away - just seduce the reader to want to buy your book.
Example: Blurb for ‘Gunnedah Hero’
"Fourteen-year-old Gunnedah ‘Gunnie’ Danson has a 500-word assignment on drought. His late grandfather has left him a box containing a manuscript. It’s been written by Gunnie’s great-great-grandfather, Smokey ‘Gun’ Danson after his journey up the long paddock during a harsh drought as a fourteen-year-old drover in 1910. At the back of the manuscript is an envelope. It’s NOT to be opened until Gunnie has read the entire story.
Gunnie spends the weekend at Wiralee Station; a cattle station that’s been in the family since 1848. There, he reads the awesome manuscript and learns of Smokey’s adventurous journey. Gunnie overhears several secretive conversations. His snobby Aunty Kate wants to divorce his uncle and sell Wiralee Station. He finishes the manuscript and opens the mysterious envelope. Will it legally prevent his aunt from selling Wiralee Station?"
Keep writing!
Don't be shy ... send me an email: clancy_tucker@hotmail.com
Thanks for listening.
I'm Clancy
www.clancytucker.com.au
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