Shut Up & Read discussion

I found this on a blog I follow and thought it was interesting. I think we have all seen book descriptions like some outlined here.
http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2013/0...

It is hard to write something suitable however there are some real stinkers about.

Do you agree, would any of these stop you buying a book?

Unfortunately yes. I'm a pretty impatient reader so if I can't get through the back, there's no way I can get through the rest. I break up with books rather quickly.

That said, I don't know that I would knock a book out for grammar or run on sentences (though the one long sentence tested my patience). But if the writing isn't there on the back (especially in an indie book), it's a pretty good indicator of what will be on the pages.

www.annbrynbauer.blogspot.com
author: Cuban Sun

Thanks for the article :) I have heard authors say that the book description/blurb is harder to write than the book itself. I suppose this is because it is the first thing a potential reader sees, so it is incredibly important to word it so it is catching without giving away any of the story.

For me, the blurb is as important as friend's reviews or recommendations, which is what most of my book choices are based on. Another peeve of mine that is not listed in that article is when there are review snippets in place of the description. If I wanted to read a review I would have scrolled down to them.

Yes the blurb is tricky. I hate writing them. So far for book 2 I have "Um, some stuff happens, some things are found, there is a big fight." Sadly I don't think that will suffice:)

Alexandra wrote: "Yes the blurb is tricky. I hate writing them. So far for book 2 I have "Um, some stuff happens, some things are found, there is a big fight." Sadly I don't think that will suffice:)"

Alexandra- That's exactly what happens to me. I HATE writing the blurbs. Now what I do is I have a couple of trusted test readers read the book and then I ask them, "what's this book about?" They can sum it up so much better!

It is difficult not to give away the plot, waffle on or just sound like nothing happens.

I hate it when the entire plot is given in the synopsis. If you can tell the story in 250 words then you are doing something wrong:)

As the Horgun approaches the vork-nur of Sebbalia, a Splendix must step forward to make the Kra’an-spur. Reesis is the dabbala of Nobus. It falls to him to take up the swoggle and meet the Horgun Lankarra. Will one Gyredooble be enough to stop the Horgun?

Amazing. I think I swoggled my Gyredooble into my Horgun reading this one! :)

Descriptions and blurbs are hard to write. I've found working with other authors who have read the book helps... I'm the help as I don't have a book out. However I also believe that if you can't condense your book into 1-2 short paragraphs than your book may have bigger problems.

On a FBA group I run writing blurbs and descriptions is something I make my clients do frequently and have found that their books are better for having worked on blurbs and descriptions as it gives them a quick reminder about audience and book direction... Yeah I make them tape it to their monitors so they see it whenever writing.

Sheri wrote: "Thanks for the article :) I have heard authors say that the book description/blurb is harder to write than the book itself. I suppose this is because it is the first thing a potential reader sees..."

I had a so much fun writing the caption on the back of Denali Skies. I used fun words and didn't take it too seriously.
The very first line in the back of the book reads as follows : At the ripe age of twenty two, a hussied up bar crawling waitress finds herself walking the line between the call of the wild, and the call of her drinking buddies.

The caption is ridiculous and fun, but the reader has a good idea of what to expect if they choose to read the book!
What I can't stand are when they plaster book reviews or awards all over the book. They always say the same things like : "provocative" "mesmorizing" "memorable". Words that leave me clueless to what the story might be about.

I have two published novels... one of them has a description and the other does not really and I have done it on purpose. The reason for this is that we do live in an age of over-information on everything and I want to keep the veil of secrecy on a novel that is built about secrecy and discovery and unexpected developments. I think disclosing too much about it would be stealing away from the fun of it all. The Amazon preview reader allows anyone to read the first several pages of the novel so that can serve as a testament to the skill (or the lack of) of the author.

For our first book, we wrote the query letter (Summary etc) afterwards and found we learned things about the story we hadn't realized before!

With our second book, we're planning to write the summary and marketing blurbs as we go, since it does very much help clarify what we're expecting readers to take away from the story.

Yes, when buying a book I go more by description than reviews. I will glance at reviews but those won't stop me buying if the description grabs me.

Adriaan wrote: "For our first book, we wrote the query letter (Summary etc) afterwards and found we learned things about the story we hadn't realized before!

With our second book, we're planning to write the summ..."

Funny, the name of the protagonist of my new novel is Adrian, like yours except for the extra "a"... :)))

I like that spelling of Adriaan.

I would never buy a book with a description like this. It's jibberish!

'As the Horgun approaches the vork-nur of Sebbalia, a Splendix must step forward to make the Kra’an-spur. Reesis is the dabbala of Nobus. It falls to him to take up the swoggle and meet the Horgun Lankarra. Will one Gyredooble be enough to stop the Horgun?'

blog writer says: I can see how this might stiripote some paladinks, but it just makes me want to stabble my koobies out.


LOL!!! I loved that section and I think I'd stabble my koobies out as well!

Wow it's hard to take a book seriously with a description like that. I usually look at the back of the book and figure out if I want to read it

Becky wrote: "Wow it's hard to take a book seriously with a description like that. I usually look at the back of the book and figure out if I want to read it"

Hard to do that with ebooks or when buying online.

The tricky bit with a blurb is not giving away anything that should be a surprise in the story itself. So, if you're writing a story which for you is about a child whose parents have a secret past and that is supposed to be as much a surprise to the reader as the child, what do you put? Personally, I try to make the blurb capture the tone of the book and some of the set-up, but agents and publishers do have a tendency to push for more.

While this post is about queries I think it's good advise for book descriptions. Ilona Andrews is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors and when she talks about writing on her blog I always learn something.

Queries: Common Issues http://www.ilona-andrews.com/business...

I know this thread is old but still. To answer your question A.L. Yes, the examples would stop me from buying a book. In no particular order:
1-Nothing like never ending long sentences, or paragraphs to put me off. If it is that hard to read the synopsis, I can only imagine what the rest of the book looks like.
2- Fabricated names. Although once you are reading the story you may become familiar with all those words, when you read the blurb, you have absolutely no idea of what they are talking about. In my mind it reads: Blah blabablah labablah blah... I'll put it back and try something else.
3- Too many questions... I can only imagine that the answer to most of them will be yes. And if the story revolves around a choice between two lovers, well, seen that, done that, next.
4- The generic will make me wonder if I have already read it.
5- The hard sell: Thanks but I'd like to make my own choice.
6- The formula...Do all synopsis ending with a question fit in that category?
(Then no wonder I don't like mine and want to change it. Grrr)

If I can't actually work out what the book is about from the description, then that's it, I'm out.