The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, April 29, 2016

Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 12



          Yes, it's Friday, which this week flew in so quickly, I was unable to post anything on Tuesday. My "real work" work piled up. Earlier in the month, I gave my school district my letter of resignation. I am retiring--from Missouri public schools--and will be looking for another teaching job in a private school in Missouri or a public school in Illinois. (I live minutes away from several Illinois cities.)

          I am not through teaching. However, collecting data is not my forte. Teaching writing to young people--now that's what I love, so I hope to be able to do it again soon.

         Anyway,back to blurb writing... If I've already lost you, I guess there's no point explaining this challenge. However, if you're still hanging on, hoping that something interesting and relevant will emerge, here goes:


  • Every Friday a photo is posted. The photo is meant to be the front cover of a book. Your book. You choose what kind of book it is. You choose the title. And you write the blurb.
  • The blurb? A blurb is that text on the book cover (often on the back) that is crafted to entice the reader into buying the book. It's engaging... and short, so being brief is key. For this challenge, your blurb should be 150 words or less.
  • After you write your blurb, post it, along with the photo, on your blog, and link it to this post via Mr. Linky (which is quite simple to do). You can also check out the other blurbs--there will be dozens hopefully at least one--and comment on them.
  •  If you enjoy reading them/enjoy writing them, you should check out Lisa Ricard Claro's website. She was the writer who first had this idea several years ago. Sadly (for us, but happily for her) she got too busy and had to leave it by the wayside. You could thank her, but don't expect a "you're welcome" in response, as currently, she's living in a firehouse. Her WIP is a children's book, and she's researching the work of firefighters. She's teaching them how to start fires (if you've read her two romance novels, Love to Believe and Love Built to Last, and if you're fanning yourself over her upcoming Love to Win, coming out on July 30) you know what kind of hot, raging fires I'm talking about). The firefighters are teaching her how to cook enough chili for twenty hungry men and how to drive the firetruck. (She only driven over 7 curbs and flattened one squirrel so far.)
       Enough. On with the blurb, that goes with the picture at the top...

A Perfect Speci-Man

         Marvin couldn't understand it. He was a nice guy. He took pride in the way he carried himself and the way he dressed. Wrangler jeans and golf shirts on the weekend, and his postal uniform during the week. When he was lucky enough to have a date, he took them to only the finest restaurants in town--Denny's or Wendy's. 

         But in spite of all his pro's, he had not managed to con anyone into a long-term relationship. Marvin had no one to love. He had not found that special someone yet.

        A friend convinces Marvin that he needs to stand out. He needs to do something to make women notice him. His friend creates the perfect hat and glasses that is sure to make women stop and pay attention to Marvin.

        Will it work? What kind of women will Marvin attract? And will he eventually find true love? (150 words)




        And for those folks who like to work ahead instead of by the seat of their pants, here is the photo for next week:







18 comments:

  1. Hahaha! You really don't have to keep crediting me for the blurb idea, but I do love reading the craziness you slap onto it. The firehouse? Oh, don't I wish. I wonder if the hubster could be persuaded to let me do that, seeing as how it would be considered research?

    Since your blurb has Romance written all over it, you know I think it rocks. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa--Me slap craziness onto something? No way.

      Delete
  2. Hi Sioux,
    Congratulations on your retirement. I know your students will miss you, but I'm sure you will continue to change young lives one word at a time.
    Not sure I can write a blurb about that photo, but yours is great. Love the pros/cons line.
    My only thought about the photo was, "Girls don't make passes at freaks who wear glasses . . . That's all I got.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna--He IS indeed freakish-looking.

      And thanks. I will be looking for a teaching job somewhere--just not a public school in Missouri--as I'm not finished teaching. It's still a job I love...

      Delete
  3. Yay!! Congratulations on your retirement. Hope you love it as much as I do. Wouldn't it be fun if you could find a gig where you teach children's writing workshops?

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat--I WOULD love that. Do you know of any such gig? ;)

      Delete
  4. Well. It looks like we both had romance on our mind for that shiny specimen of mandom. We should be matchmakers, really. Chuck that whole education thing, and become matchmakers. Eat a raw carrot for me at your retirement dinner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Val--You and I teaming up as matchmakers? I'm not sure the world is ready for that.

      Delete
  5. I predict some school will snatch you up so fast, you won't even have time for a good, long read of Lisa's next book! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy--Hey, that's coming out in July. I hope I have a chance to read it before school gets too crazy...

      Delete
  6. What a clever take on the picture! I would have NEVER thought of it. I am glad you can leave the system and find your own new way. I just bet a new world won't wait long for your talents!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claudia--I hope I DO find a new way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

      Delete
  7. I hope Marvin finds his true love! This one really stretched my wings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat--It sounds like you're feeling sorry for Marvin. ;) I'm glad you did some stretching this week.

      Delete
  8. Disregard my comment about the linky thing not working. When I came back to this one to get the picture, I see that it's on there now. Again, I'll catch up at some point. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn--You have other things to do... like

      finish.
      '
      Your.

      Book. :)

      Delete
  9. Now, I need to read all those Book Blurb's including yours. EEEK! I'm sure everyone has done a better job especially with this one... it was hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and I like your take on this. I had a hard time with this one.

      Delete

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...