The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Yikes! A Day Late (and Always) a Dollar (Or More) Short and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 42

 Sorry. Things have been hoppin' around here. There are a few reasons why I am a day late with this. I'm late because:

  • Report cards were due on Thursday, which meant a new quarter was beginning. I always have great intentions of keeping on top of the grading at the beginning of each quarter, and those intentions keep the momentum going for... well, usually it takes about 3 days before I fizzle out. So last night, instead of working on the post, I stayed at school and got some grading (and inputting of the grades) done.
  • My son is getting married. In May. Thankfully, my husband and I are just responsible for the rehearsal dinner, but it will be a big one. I just hope I don't turn into a Mom-of-the-Groomzilla before we say our last toast at the wedding... (And I'm thinking our golden retriever will make a wonderful ring bearer. We can strap a pouch with the rings to his collar, and Radar can run up and down the aisle--multiple times. Don't you agree all weddings need a touch of class like that?) 
  •  I'm almost finished with the book The Round House by Louise Erdrich. When I should have been writing this post, I was reading.
And now that I'm finished whining, here's (finally) the book blurb... for those 1.5 people who actually read my blog:

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A book on art techniques? An artist's biography? You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this project  and this past summer, her third novel Love to Win debuted. Check out her website.  You'll be glad you did. She writes. She edits. She inspires.

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, ink 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. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Above all, 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.

Here's the book cover and the blurb:

     



A Life Transformed

He tried to find himself in his everyday existence for years. He tried finding his way along a traditional path. But it was all in vain. No matter what direction Brian turned, no peace was in sight.

Changing clothes, different hairstyles--wasn’t near enough.Tearful nights. Rage-filled mornings. Lonely weekends. Brian became so despondent, he thought of taking his life.

But then hope came, in the form of a paintbrush. Brian took an evening art class, and began painting the life he dreamed of.

He painted the ocean, with tiny beach houses dotting the rocky shoreline. People in colorful clothes dining at outdoor cafes appeared in his paintings. Finally, peace was seeping into Brian’s soul.

And then, he began to paint the person he--deep down--was.

Will Brian ever find his way? Will he ever find joy and fulfillment? Or will a canvas be the closest he ever gets to feeling whole? (150 words)



And for those who want to work ahead (unlike me, who tends to work behind, not on my behind), here is the photo for next week:







12 comments:

  1. Well that was a twist. I thought sure he was painting the love interest of his life. Well, maybe he did. LOL

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    1. Linda--I had no idea what I was going to write about when it came to this photo. Then it just trickled through. It's funny how writing inspiration comes at unexpected times...

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  2. Love the line "hope came in the form of a paintbrush."

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    1. Donna--Thanks. Even though it wasn't a well thought-out line, I certainly DO think that art can heal us and save us...

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  3. Don't apologize. You do so much in week's time!!!! Do all you can while you can...I wish I could do more right now! Enjoy being a little behind, you earned it.

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    1. Claudia--Thanks for saying I've got a little behind. Oh, sorry. You said I was a little behind. Oh well... ;)

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  4. You have excellent reasons for falling behind. No one can fault you. Thanks, as always, for the kind words and linky love.

    I love this blurb. This is one of those that really could be a book, you know. It is possible. My fourth book, Secrets by the Sea, started out as a book blurb. Yep, it sure did. One of my Book Blurb Friday renderings actually turned into 100,000 words. So you never know where this little exercise will lead. Anyway, I always enjoy your blurbs, but this one especially has a great deal of promise. If not a book, then a short story. I hope you'll consider it.

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    1. Lisa--You had me at "kinky love." Whoops, another mistake. You mentioned "linky love," not quite as risque as what I thought you said... ;)

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  5. Working people problems! I have all the time in the world, and still end up writing that blurb on Friday afternoons.

    My first thought on this picture was the same as yours, but I discarded that idea after 10 seconds because I knew I could not do it justice. Well done, Madam!

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    1. Val--It's reeeeally scary when our minds think alike, which happens fairly often. Perhaps you're sending me thought-waves, which influence my writing?

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  6. You sure have been busy! I just started teaching my new course last night so I forgot to link to my post until today. I wonder if Brian will find himself in this new drawing or if he will find he was there all along. Great blurb!

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  7. Something about that picture makes me think in shades of Dorian Gray.

    Hope you've had a chance to get caught up and can relax and read without any guilt! :-)

    Pat
    www.patwahler.com

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