Same Thing, Different Results? and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 60

Some people say that the definition of crazy is doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results.

Well, I guess you can call me crazy.

I've been submitting multiple pieces to an editor--every month--and have not gotten any nibbles. In the past, I enjoyed some success with this editor. In the past, I know other local writers who've enjoyed lots of success with this editor. But for a long time, they've gotten nothing published, either.

While at my writing critique meeting this week, I decided I'm done. I'm finished. It's a new editor, and obviously, their needs have changed. Every time I submit something, I figure This story is one they're sure to snap up and yet they don't.

It's a waste of my time (and theirs, because they have to read every submission). It's time I could spend on something with at least some potential.

Whether or not I stick to my guns remains to be seen. And if any of the pieces that I've already submitted get published, well...

I'll probably start writing like crazy again...

And now onto book blurb fun--

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. Is it a mystery? Is it a coffee table art book? 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 writing challenge. Currently, she's super busy. She and her hubster sold their house in Georgia and are setting up their new house in Florida. 

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. 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.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

Dancing for Love

He couldn’t dance. He tried, he  really did try. But every time Derrick shuffled onto the dance floor, the music didn’t move him.

And really, he could live without dancing, but what about Layla? Layla was the new girl in school, the pretty one, the one Derrick would like to take to the prom… except he didn’t know how to dance.

But one day he walked by a shop and noticed a poster in the shop’s window. Become a dancing machine in one easy step. Derrick went inside, paid for the package wrapped in brown paper, and followed the directions.

And it was miraculous. Derrick drank the potion, and immediately, became Gene Kelly, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Channing Tatum all rolled into one.

Will Layla fall for Derrick like a whole line of dominoes? Will Derrick’s dance skills get out of hand and become a problem? (145 words)

And for those writers who'd like to work ahead, here is the picture for next week.

Travel, Anyone? How About a Foster Dog?

In June I'll be taking a trip. Like the Blues Brothers, I'll be on a mission from God. Or, rather, on a mission from DOG (so maybe I'm the dyslexic Blues Brother).

Turkey is my destination. I'll spend a few days with a Turkish acquaintance about five hours from Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia--a church that was first built in 537 A.D. and is now a museum--is in
Istanbul. My teaching partner said it's amazing. Hopefully I'll have the time and the
opportunity to see it.

The purpose of this trip is to get three golden retrievers. In case you didn't know, there are thousands of stray dogs in Turkey, and hundreds and hundreds of those strays are goldens. Goldens don't fight back, so when dogs get into fights (as packs of hungry dogs tend to do), goldens don't last long.

Golden rescue groups in Atlanta and Michigan have been working together for the last few years to fly whole pallets of dogs (in crates) to the U.S. Individuals flying--and escorting 2 or 3 dogs--is a less expensive option.

We're always looking for foster homes--homes that have a fence, loving homes that are willing to care for a dog for a short period of time until the dogs find forever homes.

If you know someone who'd love to love an international dog (they learn English quite quickly), have them contact Love a Golden Rescue. If you've ever been to that part of the world, I'd love any helpful tips. And if you want to read a great post about travel writing, check out Renee Roberson's post, read this. I might actually try to write something about Turkey and sell it.