Wed 4 Feb, 2009
Blurbling
Come Join the Discussion! (10) Filed under: Fiction, Rosewood, WritingTags: Carbon Monoxide, Rosewood, Writing
Helloooo world!
It’s been a couple month since I blogged. Inexcusable. No excuses, but my reason will be the subject of another post! Side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include slowed mental processes, which, for me, means I get tunnel vision. Trying to work on too many things at once is like trying to plug too many appliances into one outlet. **FZZZZT.** At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to make sure I describe the truth–so it doesn’t happen to anyone else. Have you had your house checked for CO safety yet? It’s free. Call your gas company or fire department today. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
Done? Good.
Where was I?
Oh yes. So with what mental processes I have, I’ve been spending all my focus on completing the novel.
IT’S EXCITING RIGHT NOW. A blog post on that is forthcoming, too.
But for today, I just wanna jot down a part of the coolness. I’m writing the final version of the blurb for the back of the book. I’ve been working on it on and off for months–but today I finally decided to just write it in my own voice, and not try to blurble. So here ’tis:
“This house has a dark secret. I hope, for your sake, it stays buried in the past.”
Cousins Jeff and Cassie Barrister expect to have fun at the Barrister Family Reunion. It’s the Fourth of July holiday, California’s Heritage Valley is hot and peaceful, and the historic Rosewood Inn is a vacation hideaway beyond compare.
It’s what they don’t expect that causes problems.
Unexplained accidents threaten to spoil the family party. Rosewood’s owner, Trace Morton, faces the loss of his business…and worse. As the week wears on, mischief gives way to mayhem as the “accidents” turn deadly. The charming Rosewood House shows a hidden side of its face, one draped in dark secrets.
Jeff’s company designed the security system that protects the Inn. His reputation, and the safety of his family, are at stake. To complicate matters, he finds himself distracted by a beautiful fellow guest, who stirs his memories and suspicion.
Meanwhile, Cassie befriends a mysterious young man who gives no indication that he is what he seems to be. Present-day terrors awaken the ghosts of her past, forcing her to question her life, face her fears…and realize the fact that the man she has feelings for just might be dangerous.
Friends are not what they seem, strangers are not to be trusted; and to top it off, the voice of the Rosewood House itself soon leads Jeff and Cassie to discover a century-old murder…which may come back to haunt them.
Any thoughts?
~~~
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Ricardo Bueno says:
I’m probably not the right person to give you advice at this very moment (it’s been a long day, I haven’t slept in about 20 hours, yadda, yadda..).
Having read it though, you’ve caught my attention (which I say is a good thing). Wouldn’t you?
Glad to see the project coming along Christine
Andrew Seely says:
I totally want to read more now. The only thing is it seems a bit long for a “blurb”. I like the picture you paint. Though maybe I don’t need to know as much about so many characters. My interest would still be peaked without the mention of Trace and then without the paragraphs about Cassie and Jeff…
Just my 2c
Keep up the amazing work and I look forward to the day when I get to hold a copy in my hands.
mousewords says:
@Ricardo If I could catch your attention when you’re tired, then that’s definitely a good thing! Thank you!
@Andrew *Great* points! I knew it was too long, & questioned whether to mention Trace; but you’ve got me thinking again about the other paragraphs. Thank you!
Andrew Seely says:
I like the Trace paragraph, just don’t know if it’s completely necessary to mention him. And I really do enjoy the Cassie paragraph, the descriptive words paint such a wonderful setting of what she’s going to go through. It’s the use of words like that, which stir emotion and feeling, that are a rarity among the everyday.
mousewords says:
@Andrew Thank you.
Zack "The Mothman" Daggy says:
I love the description, but also agree it’s a bit long. IMHO a blurb is like teaser to a movie. It’s main point is to establish tone and style, and what the book is about comes second. Obviously not everyone goes this route, but I prefer it.
Whichever way you go with the blurb, you’ve already got me hooked. I personally can’t wait to read RW!
Cheers!
mousewords says:
@Zack “Tone and style,” that’s a great point! You’re right about the teasers, too. Thank you!!
CJ (RhythmHippy) says:
I was already hooked but now I am sold! I agree about the points that it is a bit long for a book jacket. I would leave out paragraphs 5 and 6 and leave the rest. Gives the sense that fun is to be had, but danger and mystery lurk. Otherwise very cool!!
Susan Alison says:
Hiya – I’d be tempted to go with:
“This house has a dark secret. I hope, for your sake, it stays buried in the past.”
Cousins Jeff and Cassie Barrister expect to have fun at their family Reunion. It’s the Fourth of July holiday, California’s Heritage Valley is hot and peaceful, and the historic Rosewood Inn is a vacation hideaway beyond compare.
It’s what they don’t expect that causes problems.
Friends aren’t what they seem, strangers can’t be trusted, and to top it off, the voice of Rosewood House itself soon leads Jeff and Cassie to discover a century-old murder…which may come back to haunt them.
I know it’s short but it’s a teaser rather than an information giver, and you need space on the back cover rather than too much busyness, and there will also be a glowing quote from someone, I expect, and a bar code and maybe a little bit of back cover art etc….
I’m looking forward to reading this book.
By the way, I think the blurb you have there is great as a swift synopsis – it will come in useful on many occasions when you’re trying to sell your book…
…which I’m looking forward to buying and reading.
Susan
mousewords says:
@Susan, The more things change, the more they stay the same! That’s pretty much what I have on the intro page of the blog.
Thank you!