Writing the Fiction Book Blurb – Entice the Reader
By Glenna Mageau
What is your story about?
Your novel is being written or is written, you’ve decided to Indie or Self Publish and now you need to think about how to tell people what your story is about. It’s time to write the fiction book blurb. Eeek. It’s one of those tasks that not many authors like to do. Why? Because it needs to be written so that it tells about the story, it needs to be interesting, and it needs to compel the reader to want to read it.
Not too big of an order. Right?
Even though it sounds kind of easy, it really isn’t.
The fiction book blurb is key to grabbing a reader’s attention. It plays a really dynamic role in enticing the reader to actually read your novel.
Do you have a strong opening line?
It’s nothing new that opening lines are key to grab a person’s interest. It can set the tone and convey what type of journey the reader will go on.
She went to jail for the right reason but the wrong murder…
Right away this grabs attention because people want to know who is this woman and what really happened. Who did she kill? Why?
Now beyond that, the reader also has a sense that this is a suspense/thriller/mystery. They can make a quick decision if that is a type of story they enjoy or not, that they want to learn more about.
Do you connect your reader with your protagonist?
You want to make sure that you are portraying your protagonist in a way that the reader can connect with who they are and the struggle they face. Give the protagonist’s name, who they are, what their hopes are, what they’re up against, and the struggles they’re facing.
With her mom in a coma, Kyara is determined to discover who is behind the brutal attack. Does her grandmother’s recent release from jail have anything to do with it? The police believe that some meth addicted youth are responsible but what Kyara uncovers is shocking. Is anyone telling the truth? Even Ryan who she thought might be able to help her is harnessing his own dark secret. Is he truly trying to help her or does he have his own agenda?
You want your readers invested in your character and to be concerned for them. Talk about the highs and lows of your protagonist’s life as they struggle to move forward. You want to give them enough of what is going on for the protagonist for them to relate and to want to know how the protagonist is going to handle it all. What are they going to do? How are they going to do it?
So you want to give the heart of what your story is about.
“Without tension there is no interest.”
What’s the mystery of your story?
Keep the reader guessing as to where your story is going to go. You want them invested in finding the answers within your novel. You want to entice them enough that they will want to keep reading.
The golf course wasn’t built because the sport was gaining in popularity but to hide a deadly secret. Those responsible are determined to keep it buried and those who know anything are being silenced. Kyara finds herself trying to catch an old woman, stay ahead of those trying to kill her, and unveil the truth. But can she do it before a town pays the ultimate price?
End with a question or a statement that entices the reader as to where the story is going.
This will pull the reader into wanting to know where the story is going. What is going to happen? How will it end?
When writing your fiction book blurb:
- start with a bold statement – what is the underlying theme or problem
- give the heart of the story – where is the protagonist at, where does the protagonist want to be and what are the problems they are facing
- keep the mystery – hint at where the story might go but don’t tell
Entice the reader with your fiction book blurb by connecting them to the protagonist’s journey. If they care about your protagonist, they are more likely to open the pages of your novel to find out what happens to your main character.
What process do you use to write your fiction book blurb?
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Her motto: Escape to read… Read to escape… and Write for the Freedom!
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Website: http://www.glennamageau.com/
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Thank you for sharing Kim. The Book Description is so important but it is something many authors find really difficult. I know I did for a long time. A few simple changes to how and when they write it can make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteHi Glenna.
DeleteBlurbs are definitely important. I've been known to pass up a book, if the blurb didn't make sense and truly give me an idea of what the book was about.