And you thought the
hard part was writing the novel. Now that you are finished with the writing…
and the editing, it’s time to start writing a synopsis, a blurb, a book jacket
description, and a tag line. Trust me, you will need them.
In short, most
publishers will ask for a synopsis and sample chapter(s) before they consent to
read you manuscript; a blurb will be used to entice your target audience to
read your book; a short description may go on the back of your book jacket as a
teaser or could be used as an “elevator pitch” (the very short time you have to
tell someone about your book and interest them); a logline is an even briefer
description of the story and includes the basic who, what and why; and finally
the tag line will help to grab a potential reader into looking at your book. A
synopsis is usually two to three pages or whatever the publisher requests. The
blurb is three to five paragraphs at most. Book jacket descriptions should fit one paragraph or 150-words or
less. Loglines are usually one sentence, a Tweet (140-characters or less) is a
good length to aim for. A tag line is a catch-phrase and should be no more than
a few words.
In school we all had to
write book summaries, it’s not the same, but it is a good start to writing your
synopsis. Start by making a chronological list of all the bullet point of your
story, all of the significant happenings. Note the emotional feelings of your
characters, the tension in a scene, and the surprise of a twist. Most school
age book summaries are simple like the bullet point listing – this happened,
then that happened and finally this happened. The synopsis is written in the
present tense weaving the sentiments of the story into this much shorter
version. You don’t need to include dialogue, minor characters or insignificant
settings. Basically your synopsis should read like a short story that parallels
your novel with the same voice. Make sure you include the twists and surprise
ending, etc., this is not the time to hide spoilers.
If you are targeting
more than one audience type then you should write a blurb directed at each; for
instance if you are writing a romantic science fiction, you should write two
blurbs, one aimed at romantics and one aimed at sci-fi fans. You want to
include enough for the reader to want to know more but not enough to spoil the
story. For romantics use the opening paragraph to introduce your main
characters and their relationship, focus on one viewpoint. For a
science-fiction or fantasy blurb, introduce the setting (if it is another
world) or the scientific triumph/disaster that is important to the story. Then
you could introduce the main characters or setting with less focus than your
opening. In the second paragraph let the reader know what the main conflict is
in the story – what is keeping the couple apart, what is threatening the planet,
etc. In the third paragraph mention what must be accomplished in order to save
the world, unite the couple, bring about a Happily Ever After ending. Introduce
the antagonist. Leave your reader hanging – will this be accomplished? How will
they manage it?
The book jacket
description or elevator pitch is short and to the point. It is an enticement
that will leave your reader/listener salivating to know the story. Imagine you
are getting into an elevator with your potential publisher and that is the only
time you will have to sell your novel. Keep it short, exciting, show how it is
different from other books, and let the publisher know there is more there to
read. This short description may be used on the back of your book jacket to
entire potential readers/buyers of your book. It’s also an excellent opening in
a query letter to grab the attention of whoever opens it to read in the
publisher’s office.
A logline is a very
brief, usually one sentence, and includes the key components of the novel; you
may only focus on one main character for brevity. My logline for my novel
Hyphema is, ”Matt starts a new job as a flight medic in North Carolina and
wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare
from which they may never wake” and is just 136 characters. The tagline will also
be used to promote your book, this is the kind of line you’ll see on a movie poster.
It has to be catchy and brief. “Do you believe in karma?”, that’s the tagline
to my most recent novel Karma Visited. A simple question, it elicits a response
and hopefully piques curiosity.
Writing Exercise: There are three parts to this
exercise. Complete each step before you read any further: ~ Write down five
places and five nouns/pronouns. ~ Now, mix them up and fill in the following
sentences: 1) The last time I was in/at (place) was the last time I saw (noun).
2) When we went to (place) we lost (noun). 3) I sent my (noun) a postcard from
(place). ~ Next, use each sentence to begin a three to five sentence paragraph.
Writing Prompt: Modify or change YOUR name for each
of the following situations (write the names down): 1) You are interviewing for
a very important job. 2) You just had a very unexpected one night stand with a
stranger – NOW he/she asks for your name. 3) It is the first time in years that
you come face-to-face with the school bully who terrorized you back then, still
a bit wary, you want to show the bully that you are no longer frightened. 4)
You are scared the doctor has bad news for you and you are preparing a speech
for when you “meet your maker”. 5) You are being cast in a movie made of your
most recent book (or a favorite one you recently read) and you need a stage
name. Next look at the list of five names and decide what each one “says” about
you.
