Back-of-the-Book Blurb # 14

      Perhaps you're not one of the hundreds of three people who've participated in this book blurb stuff. Maybe you're wondering what I'm talking about... If that's the case, read about how you join in the fun and find out exactly what it is:

• Every Friday a pic is posted. The pic 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.
• What kind of book could it be? Chick lit? A historical novel? A mystery? You choose the genre.
• The blurb? A blurb is that text on the book cover (often on the back) that is crafted to lure the reader, making it impossible for them to resist 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--even my not-very-bright golden retriever can do it). You can also check out the other blurbs--there will hopefully be at least one other one besides mine that you can check out. 

       If you enjoy reading them/writing them, you should check out Lisa Ricard Claro's website. She's the writer who first had this idea several years ago but got too busy with a 3-novel publishing deal, and had to give up the book blurb activity. You could write a gushing email, thanking her for inspiring someone else to take up where she left off but if you do, you won't 

get a response. * Right at this moment, Lisa's cooling her heels in a jail cell, awaiting trial. What crime is she accused of? The authorities claim she did something horrendous... but something that every true writer has dreamed of doing. 

      Witnesses say that almost two months ago, Lisa assaulted James Patterson. Oh, she attempted to reason with him, during a book signing of all things, before she went completely over the edge. Hundreds of audience members heard Lisa shriek things like, "You aren't a writer," "What kind of writer just writes the outlines and lets dozens of other people actually write the book?" and "You ain't no writer! You're a fraud!" When Patterson just smiled at her and continued signing books (while one of his lackeys sat under the table, using Patterson's one paragraph "outline" to churn out yet another Patterson best-seller), Lisa took a book bag--full of all the drafts of her novels Love Built to Last, Love to Believe and Love to Win (with all the drafts together, the bag weighed 57 pounds) and she started swinging it at his head, as if she were a human windmill. 

      Patterson was taken by ambulance to an unnamed hospital. He was later released after getting stitched up. Thankfully for his fans, his check-signing hand sustained no injuries. 

      Enough. On with the blurb, that goes with this photo:

Fishin' For Love

      Hector used to be a construction worker. But when the construction business went bust, Hector had to humiliate himself and collect unemployment checks. His wife left. His pride disappeared. Hector was a broken man.

        Having nothing else to do with his days, he started fishing. The act of casting out his line and sitting patiently, waiting... well, it calmed Hector down.

        And then one day, a woman and her little girl came walking by. The little girl rushed over and started asking Hector a string of questions. He smiled as the young mother tried to apologize for the intrusion, as she tried to distract her curious daughter and get her to leave this nice man alone.

        Fishin' For Love tells the story of how many times he cast his line, how many times Celeste avoided the bait, and if in the end, they both became hooked... (147 words)

    Here is the photo for next week, if you'd like to try and work ahead:

*Lisa is unfailingly kind and generous, so she wouldn't not respond because she's rude. However, people in jail cells don't get an overabundance of paper or access to computers, so her hands are tied--almost literally. 

Bring Along Your Best Weapons...Plus a Giveaway

        On Saturday I went to the St. Louis Listen to Your Mother show. Two writer friends were performing. Little did I know that a breathy, unknown-to-me storyteller would make me cry.

         She brought to the stage her best ammunition:  her story. It was told honestly and simply, and chronicled getting a lung transplant from a young man named Kyle.

         On Sunday I found a copy of one of my favorite books, George R. R. Martin's Fevre Dream. I found it at my favorite bookstore, Half Price Books (the Delmar one, baby--the fifth-largest one in the country!). It made me think of the battle that takes place in this novel (which is soooo much shorter than his G o T books).

        If I tell you there are vampires  in this book, don't be instantly dismissive. I don't read Anne Rice's novels (although perhaps I should). I definitely never did the Twilight books. Fevre Dream does have a vampire as a main character, but the story is so much more than thirsting after blood. It's the riverboat trade, indigo plantations, and a friendship between a riverboat captain and vampire.

        I'm currently working (yes, still) on my WIP that's affectionately called my NIP (nightmare in progress). I hope I'm bringing my best ammo when I sit in front of my laptop. There's a part in Pat Conroy's South of Broad that brought my first-of-several epiphanies while working on this female-dog of a project. I thought I knew exactly where it was in Conroy's novel, I thought I noted the page number somewhere, I thought I remembered it clearly enough to mirror one single Conroy-crafted remark in my manuscript...

       But apparently not, because now I've resigned myself to rereading the book and putting the page number on a billboard--'cause I don't want to prove true the "third time's a charm" phrase.

       I began this piece of writing with several for-sures. I knew for sure who the main characters were--the WWWPs. I knew for sure how it would end. And in the writing, things have changed. The characters have become fictionalized, and the ending is not what I was planning on.

       It seems the characters are in the driver's seat, not me. 

        If you tell me what is your best weapon as a writer (you can interpret that any way you want), your name will be put into a hat (a literal one; I don't know how to do those random-whatevers) for a copy of Fevre Dream. I'll draw names at the end of the month.

Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 13

photo by morguefile.org

        What is this book blurb stuff? Well, I'm glad you asked...

• Every Friday a pic is posted. The pic 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.
• What kind of book could it be? Chick lit? Lit-tra-chure? A Harlequin romance (shudder)?
• The blurb? A blurb is that text on the book cover (often on the back) that is crafted to lure the reader, making it impossible for them to resist 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--even my not-very-bright golden retriever can do it). You can also check out the other blurbs--there will be hundreds dozens a few hopefully at least one--and comment on them it.
•  If you enjoy reading them/writing them, you should check out Lisa Ricard Claro's website. She was the writer who first had this idea several years ago. Unfortunately (for us, but fortunately for her) she got too busy and had to leave it by the wayside. You could thank her but when you don't hear from her, don't think she's rude or snobby. Lisa's swamped right now. She has the third romance in her series coming out in July (she got a three-book publishing deal), and her current WIP is a children's book. For this book, she's researching the work of ballet dancers. When word got out about her research, Lisa got a call from Misty Copeland which eventually led to Lisa meeting Mikhail Baryshnikov (Misha to Lisa). Now, Lisa is part of a crazy love triangle. Her Georgian husband and this Russian dancer are going to have a dance-off to win a permanent place in her heart. Who will win? * Who knows, but Lisa did find out an important tidbit about ballet dancers--they do it on their toes... 

       Enough. On with the blurb, that goes with the picture at the top...

The Circus Kids

      Yes, the children were left unattended in the park. They spent all afternoon terrorizing and aggravating every single person there. As they tore across the field, hell-bent on knocking over a dog-walker, the brother and sister devilsh duo were grabbed by a woman wearing a khaki uniform.

        "Can't you read the sign?"

         She then took the battery-powered tattoo gun she never went without, quickly inked 666 on each child's forehead, and dragged them into a Ringling Brothers' van.

         Since there are no more elephant acts in the circus, there are bull hooks gathering dust. Whips that need to be used occasionally to keep them supple. What kind of embarrassing costumes will these two cherubs-turned-demons be forced to wear? And can they be taught proper behavior... so they can eventually leave the big top?

          Only time will tell... (142 words)



        And here is the photo for next week so that if you're not a by-the-seat-of-your-pants-er, you have some time to think.

photo by Sioux Roslawski

*  Lisa's husband, when interviewed about the upcoming dance-off, was quoted as saying, "Well, there's going to be a type of dance chosen. If ballet is the one that's drawn out of a hat, certainly, that Russian so-and-so will win. However, if they pull clogging or The Bump out of the hat... let's just say I've got a chance of winning."  

Off the Book

        Okay, so I admit it. I am a Game of Thrones-aholic. 

         The plot has completely seduced me, and the scenery can be quite impressive. (The mountains and hillsides are gorgeous, too.) It didn't start that way. I resisted for four years, and then binged last year to catch up. 

        The photo on the left is Jason Momoa. He played Drogo, and sadly, died way too early in the series. But hey! The straight women still had Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, to sigh over.

        Jon Snow is no more... unless the Red Witch can bring him back to life. (And after what I saw from her on the first episode of the new season, I shudder to think what that would look like.)

                           
                                  Here is Kit Harington as Jon Snow.

        The crazy thing about this season is the series has lapped George R. R. Martin's books. Apparently our appetite is so insatiable and Martin isn't fast enough. We want our fix every year and by gum, we're gonna get it.

       Now perhaps the show's writers and creators had Martin outline the story for this season. Or they gave him some multiple choice plot events, and he bubbled in what he wanted to happen. I'm not sure. I'm just glad GoT is back.

       If you'd like to read George R. R. Martin's stuff and you don't also need something to prop up your car the next time you have a flat tire, check out his Fevre Dream. It's well-crafted, is set in the riverboat times and is about vampires. (I hesitate to include that detail, 'cause I don't do vampire stories, but this is the exception.) 

      Are you a Game of Thrones fan? If so, what is your favorite character and why? (Mine is actually not Drogo or Jon Snow... they were just so easy on the eyes.) And who do you hope has the longest, most painful death? (Ramsay is my choice.)

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:

Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 11

This is a weekly writing exercise. But it's also supposed to be fun. Write a book blurb for the cover photo below. And you only have 150 words (or less) to do it.

• You choose the genre of your prospective novel. Is it a mystery? Chick lit? A romance? A sci-fi story? A horror story?
• Post your blurb on your post... and then link your blog, using the charming Mr. Linky below. (It's really easy. If I can do it, anybody can do it.)
• Make it enticing. A book blurb is crafted to seduce the reader into buying the book. But it has to be enticing and succinct.
• Check out the other linked blurbs, and leave a comment. You'd be surprised how different our inspiration is, given the same photo. 
• If you enjoy writing or reading these, head to Lisa Ricard Claro's site. Lisa was the brainchild behind this book blurb idea many years ago. However, don't expect her to reply if you leave a comment and say, "Thanks," because she's on an international romance writers' conference tour right now. Her keynote address--each time she speaks--is called, "They Don't All Have to Have Brimming-Over Bosoms On the Cover, Do They?"

      The photo for the next week is also included, so you have some think-time...

Dusty's Last Trail

         Dusty had been a cowgirl all her life. She rode. She roped. She strung barbed wire with the best of 'em. Her callouses, her sore joints, her skin as breeze-browned as an acorn... they were all proof that a woman's as good as a man. Most of the time.

         But when she celebrated her 35th year of life, Dusty wondered. What else did life have in store for her? When she got too stiff to climb into the saddle, what would she do?

          One day, her uncertainty overwhelmed her. She slid off Beckett--one of her favorite horses--and swatted his rear end playfully. "Go on Beck. Go home." Dusty jammed her hands into the pockets of her blue jeans, looked around, hung her hat on the first fence post she passed... and headed out on the biggest adventure of her life. (141 words)

       This is the photo for next week. It's from morguefile, just like the picture above. (Thanks, Cathy C. Hall). Hopefully some blurb will bubble up in your brain about this character...