The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, October 7, 2016

A Step Backwards... and Back-of-the-Book Blurb # 29

           This past week I took a step or two backwards, writer-wise.

           I got a rejection letter on a major WIP. The manuscript I had worked on for more than a few years got a "Thanks but no thanks." It would have gotten tossed into the circular file.... if it hadn't been sent via email.

            I'll admit. My eyes welled up when I went to bed that night. After all, I was planning on getting an in-ground pool with the advance I was going to get. I mean, it was going to be James Patterson money--I was sure of it. Thankfully, I was so exhausted, my pity party soon sequed into snoring.

             After licking my wounds, I started thinking about what my next move will be. Broach another local publisher? Get some feedback from friends and family?

             We'll see. What I know I won't do is give up. 

              And now onto the fun of book blurb...


  • Look at the photo below. (Whoops! Blogger is not allowing me to insert a photo right now. You can go to this link, scroll down to the end of the post, and you'll see the photo.)That is the cover of your book.
  • You choose the genre. Chick lit? A romance? Nonfiction? You decide.
  • Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this project  and this past summer, her third novel Love to Win debuted. Currently, Lisa's too busy to host Book Blurb Friday anymore. Her baby girl is getting married--in less than two weeks. In Florida. (I think the couple is getting the stormy weather out of the way before they're married. After surviving a wedding in the middle of a hurricane, marriage will be smooth sailing.)
  • Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. 
  • Link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. You don't have to buy him a drink or anything. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is.
  • Check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.
  • And have fun with it. Think of it as a way to take a break from the truly important writing you do... like a bit of a warm-up.


From Sinking to Smooth Sailing: Bringing a Business Back to Life in Ten Not-So-Easy Ways

            Randy’s donut business was failing. His profits were sinking, just like the donuts did in the fryer when he needed to change the oil. Worried, Randy tried different recipes.
          He made intricate designs with sprinkles. He encrusted the donuts with bacon. Randy injected espresso into the middle of the donuts. Nothing worked.
          Karaoke in his tiny donut shop was a brilliant idea… or so he thought it was brilliant. Would people sing for donuts? Apparently they do-nut, because his bank account continued to plummet.
          But accidentally, he stumbled upon the solution. There Randy was, squatting in front of the campfire, a donut in one hand and a stick with something roasting over the fire in the other. When he stood up, he tripped… and an incredible combination was created.
          What was the marvelous mash-up? And what funny name did Randy come up with? Read this sweet story to find out… (150 words)


And for those who think ahead and aren't such pantsers like me, here is the photo for next week (10/14):










20 comments:

  1. Don't even think about throwing it away! Everyone says to expect plenty of rejection letters before anyone takes a manuscript from a newbie. I looked up Kathryn Stockett's book, The Help and it was rejected sixty times! Here's a link to the story: http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/60-rejection-letters-didnt-stop-kathryn-stockett-and-her-bestseller-the-help

    Keep editing/polishing and keep sending your story out. It will find the right home.

    Pat
    www.patwahler.com

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    1. Pat--Thank you for the encouragement AND the link. I read the article, and since I love that book, feel a glimmer of hope. Thanks.

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  2. I am yet to find out the trick to not let these rejection letters hurt me. I've had lots of practice, yet I am devastated by each one.

    www.ihath.com

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    1. Elen--If you DO discover the trick, you can travel all over the world giving talks.

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  3. I'm so glad you won't give up!!!
    Rejection of our babies is so hard.

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    1. Claudia--It IS hard. If we only carried them for 9 months like real babies, it might not be so difficult...

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  4. There are plenty more publisher-fish in the internet sea! Keep casting your line. That's why it's called fishing. Not catching.

    Not sure I want to know what new donut Randy created, but I hope he didn't impale himself on that stick! Guess I'll have to fake-buy the fake book to find out!

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    1. Val--Thanks for the encouraging words. Thankfully you are NOT like The Pony--you DO care about other people.

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  5. Yay! You got a rejection! You know what that means? It means you succeeded. You put your work out there. My local RWA chapter (GRW) used to host a contest that ran all year. It was a rejection contest, and at the end of the year the person who won was the one with the most rejections. NY Times and USA Today bestseller Jennifer McQuiston won that contest a few years ago. She had 57 rejections! And now she's a bestseller. So pat yourself on the back. You took the first big step. Proud of you!

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  6. Lisa--Thanks. I've heard of those competitions before. Yes, it's something to be proud about, but not so happy about...

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  7. Rejections just mean you tried. I have a children's book written but never submitted because I have no clue how. I also never have to worry about rejections. Never give up!!

    By the way, I love the thought of bacon wrapped donuts because well, everything is better with bacon!

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  8. Sioux, I'm so sorry about your rejection. I guess that was the manuscript you'd been waiting to hear about? I agree with everyone else, but it does suck when WE feel rejected, along with our proud work. Keep trying, and if nothing else, self-publish!

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    1. Becky--It DOES suck. And self-publishing? I'm not sure if I'd consider it with this manuscript, but thanks for the encouragement.

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  9. P.S. I posted a lot of writing contests on my blog, if you're interested. I usually never get around to entering any...but I might try a couple of these... :o

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  10. Oh, Sioux! How dumb of me...I was online under my husband's Gmail address, checking his mail for him, and forgot I wasn't on my blog name! That is ME above, where it says RON! You can delete it if you want! Sorry about that!

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  11. Don't give up! Just sending out a manuscript is a step in the right direction. I admire your dedication. Some writers (like me) have been working on our manuscripts for years. I look forward to hearing your announcement when your manuscript is published, which I'm certain it will be!

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    Replies
    1. Donna--You're a bit more optimistic than I am. But thanks for the encouragement.

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