<ul><li>Start by explaining the basic information about the book in straightforward language:</li><li>Primary genres</li><li>Audience</li><li>Tone</li><li>Main character</li><li>Core conflict</li><li>Comparative books, TV shows, movies, or video games</li></ul>Ask yourself interesting questions:<ul><li>What two literary tropes could I combine in an unexpected way?</li><li>If a protagonist was the complete opposite of me in terms of personality and goals, what would their life story look like?</li><li>What is the most awkward, painful, or shocking scenario I can think of?</li></ul>

Pitch List

Book blurb — an attention-grabbing summary that’s between one hundred and three hundred wordWriting a blurb ahead of time can provide a clear focal point — and prevent the story from meandering or spiraling out of control.My blurb-writing process has three steps: a pitch list, test drive, and redesign.

Overview

Blurb: ﻿You just need to pinpoint one or two specific details about the protagonist and conflict.Example...https://miro.medium.com/max/700/1*SSr5e_LU-D-c17wpixqRoA.pngQuery: They’re aimed directly at someone in the publishing industry.Example...(Query of the above blurb)https://miro.medium.com/max/700/1*1Zxkck0D01Xq4Jz_QXeD4g.png

Blurbs vs. query letters

Inject the summary with a touch of narrative voice that matches the protagonist’s personality or the overall tone of the story. It should included:Character: Who is the main character? What do they want? What do they stand to lose if they don’t achieve that goal? What is compelling about their personality and narrative voice?Plot: What is interesting about the story world or setting? What’s the inciting incident? What obstacles stand in the way of the protagonist’s goals?Originality: What new twist or feature does the story add to this genre? What is the “unique selling point” of this book?

Test Drive

Approached my concept redesign from three angles: <ol><li>Plot Redesign</li><li>Character Redesign</li><li>Setting Redesign</li></ol>In redesigning your blurb, look at the feedback you received:<ul><li>List the concept’s strengths and weaknesses.</li><li>What aspects intrigued readers the most? What confused them?</li><li>What parts do you still feel “meh” about?</li></ul>

Redesign

<ol><li>Pitch List</li><li>Test Drive</li><li>Redesign</li></ol>

3 Steps for Blurb Writing

It’s a surreal experience to witness a story grow from the seed of an idea into a fully bloomed novel. And it all starts with landing on an interesting concept — the unique selling point, the…