Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
We’re glad you’re here! It's the First Wednesday of the
month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop
featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's
Support Group. Founded
by author Alex
Cavanaugh and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place
to share the fabulous views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating
writing journeys. One such piece of exciting news is Natalie Aguirre, spot-lighter extraordinaire, being featured on our
IWSG Member Spotlight page! Check it out, and you’ll see why she is so very
deserving of the honorable mention. Perusing
the many tips
and resources offered here is definitely worthwhile and highly rewarding, so
pull up a comfy chair, or better yet - join
us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month's posting of the IWSG are:
Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie
Lees, Joylene Nowell
Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!
This
month’s optional question is:
What is harder to do: coming up with your book title or writing the
blurb?
I love coming up with book titles! The problem lies on
the wordless page when you haven’t the faintest idea of a storyline for said
title. Meanwhile, the pen in your hand hovers aimlessly; the curser blinks with
the anticipation of a dog’s tail: “C’mon, lady. How about a treat? One sentence.
A word, perhaps? Just one. Please?”
Thankfully, that doesn’t happen often.
If you’re writing a blurb, it’s all over but the
shouting. The selling that is. And
that’s where the fun begins. Think of it as a 200-word (or less) ad campaign,
sort of a travel-size synopsis – for the reader, this time. You’ve already
convinced the editor, the publisher. With the pressure off, you can think of
your work with a satisfied smile, and when you do, you'll write your blurb that
way too. Short, and enticing. I like that. One day I’ll be better at it :-)
Until again, be well and write happy.
Thanks for the sweet words about me. I'm honored to be featured in the newsletter.
ReplyDeleteWish I could say the same thing as you about writing titles. They are really hard for me to come up with.
Hi Natalie!
DeleteSome of the best titles are simply snippets of a single, powerful sentence ;-)
I'm smiling now!
ReplyDeleteGood! Smiles are contagious ;-)
DeleteI have to agree, titles are fun. I get really excited when I find exactly the right one.
ReplyDeleteSo do I!
DeleteLee found the excellent one word title for her latest book - I loved reading it and have posted on it ... blurbs - definitely need practise for me! Cheers Hilary
DeleteHi Hilary!
DeleteI agree, 'Shattered' is an excellent title. Can't wait to read it ;-)
I love titles and cover art! Blurbs are the proverbial "open a vein and bleed" for me. 😆
ReplyDeleteAnd you have a knack for both! You could always have a reader write your blurb ;-)
DeleteThanks for co-hosting!
I'm happy. I love IWSG. It's full of the nicest people/writers. Happy IWSG day, Diedre.
ReplyDeleteHi Joylene!
DeleteI agree, IWSG is a wonderful gathering place for anyone involved in the literary world ;-)
Happy November!
I would think titles are a little easier to come up with than blurbs, mostly because they're shorter, LOL. Either way, if you have a flair for hooking your reader, you've already won. ☺
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie!
DeleteI think so too. It's also cool when a longer title serves as a micro-blurb, such as "And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street" (Dr. Seuss)
Wishing you a pleasant November, my friend.
See you soon!
You and I are on the same wavelength with this topic.
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting titles since high school. Someday maybe I use some of them.
I have a keen interest in marketing, but I struggle with coming up with blurbs and pitches and stuff like that. Maybe I do better than I think with this, but I don't enjoy coming up with promotional writing.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Arlee!
DeleteSounds like you've got a regular treasure trove! You could toss a few out sometimes and challenge your readers to write what comes to mind ;-)
I think you're right about the wavelength. I like marketing well enough. I'm just lacking in the self-promotion department ;-) I think your marketing skills are great, by the way.
Certainly an advantage in self-publishing.
ReplyDeleteWho says brilliance can't be found in brevity? :-)
DeleteHappy November, J!
Oh. My. Gosh. Diedre! Staring at the blank page happens to me all the time. The cursor blinks and blinks..."say something to me," it seems to be shouting at me. Yet I continue to stare. What a great way to think about the blurb. Hmm...if I can get that publisher or agent first, of course. Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteCrazy, isn't it?
DeleteAgents read blurbs too ;-)
Wishing you a wonderful month of word-filled pages!
Howdy, dIEDRE ~
ReplyDeleteI'm fashionably late... as usual.
I don't think I've ever written a blurb. And the titles to things I've written always seem to write themselves, after the fact.
Whether it was a short story, a poem, a manuscript or a screenplay, it always seemed like I just knew what the title was *meant* to be while I was writing or immediately upon completion of the writing. I've never really had to "think" of a title; they've always just presented themselves to me, almost like "automatic writing".
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Hey there, Stephen T.!
DeleteNo worries, you're welcome anytime:-)
"Automatic writing" I like that. Makes the process so much easier. I find I have to assign at least a temporary name sometimes in order to save and find the work again ;-) A drawback of juggling multiplicity.
Have a relaxing November!