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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7261-Why-Did-you-Read-that-romance-Blurbs.html
Romance/Love: October 14, 2015 Issue [#7261]

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Romance/Love


 This week: Why Did you Read that romance? Blurbs
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it's destination full of hope – Maya Angelou.

A banner for the Romance/Love newsletter.


Continuing the theme of what attracts us to the romance books we read, I thought I'd examine the blurbs on the back of the book. Do the blurbs suck you in and make you excited to read a book?


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99


Letter from the editor

The book blurb is usually between 100-150 words that are meant to engage the reader. It's purpose is to stand out and quickly convince a read to "buy this romance now!" A blurb must have:

Intrigue
Mystery
And not give the whole story away.

Here are 5 elements that make your story blurb attractive:

#1 – The Opening Line:
Grab 'em right away with action or paint a scene of mystery.
Example: "Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most famous scoundrel in London." – Lisa Kleypas.

#2- Introduce your Characters.
Let readers know they are interesting. Talk about their dilemma or the journey they must take. Give the reader a reason to care.
Example: "No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower and the sinfully handsome viscount." – Lisa Kleypas.

#3 – Don't Be Misleading
Don't paint a picture of romance when your book is really a mystery. Now, the mystery may be the journey the characters take to fall in love, but it's more about the romance.

#4 – Don't Give Away the Entire Book
Hook 'em, Intro the characters, and reveal the conflict in a blurb. That's it.
Example: "When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife." – Lisa Kleypas.

#5 – Keep Readers Wanting More.
Ask a question that poses a cliffhanger inviting readers to buy the book and discover the ending. Use a thesaurus to find dynamic words for your blurb.

CHALLENGE: Here are 3 short stories. Write a 50-75 word blurb for them. I'll share my favorites in my next newsletter.

Image Protector
STATIC
Money Can Buy You Love Open in new Window. (13+)
He reminded me of my one true love...and I 'bought' him for a certain price.
#1104344 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

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STATIC
Follow His Heart Open in new Window. (13+)
Romance Story
#454093 by ♥noVember tHiNg♥ Author IconMail Icon

 Endures All Things Open in new Window. (13+)
Tristan struggles with his newfound love for Noel.
#1881592 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


FOR YOU PARANORMAL LOVERS:
Ancient Blood   (Rated: 18+)
ASIN: 1601549164
ID #110997
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: StephBee Author Icon
Review Rated: 13+
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


RESULTS OF LAST MONTH'S POLL:

Buy a book based on the Title:

#1 – Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
#2 – Chilled by Kendra Elliot
#3 – The Rogue you Know by Shana Galen

Now, let's pick our favorite Blurb:

 My favorite Blurb Open in new Window. (ASR)
Pick which Romantic Blurb would make you buy the book.
#2060981 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon



Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1585128 by Not Available.

 The Wedding Day Open in new Window. (E)
Some interesting things can happen on your big day!
#907991 by H. C. Senyk Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
STATIC
Unmatched in the Universe Open in new Window. (13+)
A set of stones, a red gem, and one missing person. ~1st place winner
#2056032 by Nixie🦊 Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
STATIC
Happy Accidents Open in new Window. (13+)
It was just a checkbook he wanted to return. 2013 Quill Nominee
#1950948 by Nixie🦊 Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#948908 by Not Available.


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B004PICKDS
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Ask & Answer

Your Full Time Romance/Love Editors:
Crys-not really here Author IconMail Icon
Lonewolf Author IconMail Icon
StephBee Author IconMail Icon

FEEDBACK FROM MY 16 SEP 2015 NEWSLETTER:

Joy Author IconMail Icon
Hi Steph,

I took your poll after seeing it in your wonderful NL. I chose Devil in Winter, but I need to explain my choice. I would not choose a book with the word Devil in it, if there were no other criteria, but I knew how the other authors have written from my earlier readings.

I don't want to badmouth any writer, but I have my picks among them. One of those in the poll writes non-stop about billionaires, which any book about billionaires annoys me to the sky. Then another one uses the language in a way I find less than acceptable. Believe it or not, I have a file in my computer with a list that says, Don't Read These Writers.

Then I checked Devil in Winter out and saw that it was about family difficulties plus romance. It meant possibly better character development and sturdier plot, as I always check what a book is about and read an excerpt before committing my time to it.

Come to think of it, you know more about how a romance novel can be constructed to become a decent, successful one, as I believe, your books have a much higher literary value than most other books in the romance genre that are in publication.

Best Wishes, and Write On! *Smile*

Joy, thanks so much for explaining your choice. I think we both enjoy a book that has good character development and a sturdier plot. I hope you give your input on "The Devil in Winter" blurb this month!

Lexi Author IconMail Icon
Hi Steph,

First, I wanted to thank you for featuring my item in your last newsletter

I chose "Chilled" because it seemed like the most ambiguous choice. Although there is a simplicity about the title, it feels like the book I'd want to pick up just because of the title alone.

Write on!
~ Lexi

Thanks for sharing Lexi. There is success in simplicity.

Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Titles are hard to find on your own. Having to pick a book just based on a title is horrific! Titles don't tell much about the book anymore. There are so many books with similar titles and totally different plots its hard to choose. Chilled seemed to me to be a mystery or thriller. Like a Kay Hooper book. I choose a book based on the cover photo and the synopsis. The title only applies when the synopsis connects with it. I've been fooled by titles.
Shanna by Katherine Woodwiess. One of my top 10 books. Not a title I would have picked. How about Birds? or To Kill a Mockingbird?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We're exploring blurbs in this newsletter. I generally don't pick up a book on a title, but some titles do pull me in. I like Shana Galen's writing and I love what she does with her titles. For me, I find her titles 'playful' and that's attracts me to her.

willwilcox
Thanks for the plug of "W.D’s Advice For Forlorn Lovers" http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/774451-WDs-Advice-For-Forlorn-Love... I got some new and welcomed reviews.

You're welcome Bill. I always enjoy your writing.

Osirantinous Author IconMail Icon
I picked The Devil in Winter but when I Googled it and read the 'blurb' on Amazon, I didn't see much of a devil and definitely nothing of winter. I like there to be a match of some sort between these two 'hooks'. Mind you, my most favourite romance of all time is Midnight Madness by Laurie McBain. The title, I think, comes from the character's role-playing as a thief, but it doesn't exactly draw one in or give the plot away.

Thanks for sharing. I believe the setting of the novel is in winter and Sebastian is supposed a "devil" (scoundrel) but from the blurb, you're right – you might not pick that up.

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

StephBee Author IconMail Icon Is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest release is "A Princess is Always Right," Book 4 in the Windsor Diaries steampunk romance series, released on 11 Sept 2015. 5 Stars, A. Brantly, Amazon Reviewer. "Stephanie Burkhart has an amazing ability when it comes to creating realistic characters and detailed scenes."

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