Guide to Writing

Writing Tip 20: Effective Blurbs

Chapter written by dreamflier

Most people can agree that first impressions are very important, and the concept is no different for readers when they start a new work. Think of a blurb as a book's first impression—a successful blurb is the cornerstone for good readership. By definition, a blurb is a description of the story's plot. Among other things, it can solidify the plot of the story and attempt to draw readers. In order to have a successful blurb, here's the big thing to remember:

Don't give everything away!

It's important to establish your plot, but readers don't want to know anything and everything about the book just by reading the description. Your blurb should be interesting, but leave enough information out that readers will want to pick up your book and find out what makes it interesting. To rephrase a famous quote: "Your blurb should be long enough to cover the subject, and short enough to create interest."

If you mention characters, don't tell everything about them right there and then. It's important for you to establish that they are there,but readers don't want to know their birthday, how many pets they have, or if they have a unicorn shaped birthmark on their arm. That's what should be covered in the story itself. Leave a bit of mystery for readers—the blurb should cover the names of the characters and how important they are to the plot itself.

Good blurbs vs. bad blurbs

Bad blurb

Emily Carlile is a nerd. She loves studying, watching Netflix, and her dog Marma. Vincent Smith is the bad boy at school. He loves street racing, illegal underground fights, drugs, and the multitude of girls that fall at his feet because he's so hot. The two get paired up to do a project together. Sparks fly, but Emily isn't cut out for the life that Vincent lives, and along the way, trouble by the name of Antonio Valencia, Vincent's old gang leader shows up. He wants revenge on Vincent, and Emily is collateral.Antonio kidnaps Emily, and Vincent has to save her. Can they get their happily ever after?

Good blurb

Emily Carlile is your atypical shy girl. Focusing on her schoolwork and hoping to achieve her dreams of being successful one day, she has no time for trouble. Yet, trouble by the name of Vincent Smith seems to come to her unwillingly. Through events that seem to be only controlled by fate, the two's lives intertwine. However, it's not one of those happily ever after's: Vincent has skeletons in his closet, and one of them is coming after Emily for revenge. Will Vincent be able to save Emily from his dark past...and himself?

In conclusion, a good blurb contains:

1. The plot in a nutshell

2. An introduction to the characters

3. A hook (this may in form of an ending question, a quote from the book that leaves readers intrigued, etc.) at the beginning or end

Follow these quick tips, and you'll be a blurb-writing master in no time!

What others have had to say

xFakingaSmilex "Summarise your stories with a hook and don't forget your who, what and why?"

KatherineArlene "Don't talk ABOUT your story in your blurb, that will bore the reader. Start to TELL your story, but stop at a point that leaves the reader wanting to know what's going to happen next. Also, don't be afraid to go back and see if you can make it stronger by rewriting it at a later date. That may snag you new readers." 

drwhogivesadamn "The blurb is the first reflection a reader sees of your story. Write it so it's true to your voice and the plot. If your book has more quirk than a serious tone, then keep that in your summary. Remind yourself to always choose what's truest to you and your story's style over what everyone else does." -

Ammelia11 "The blurb is one of the most important factors in getting someone to read your story - for me personally, it is the most important. Many writers on Wattpad don't include a blurb, and that is a big mistake.

Unlike the cover or even the title, the blurb is the first impression we get of your writing style when looking at a story. Make sure you have good grammar and spelling, but most importantly, don't tell us everything. If we know the plot from the blurb, then why bother reading it?"

We hope these tips are useful to you! What's your advice on writing an awesome blurb?