How to write a blurb| examples | explanation| more

There are so many confusions centered around this question when it comes to writing a blurb. Some of these questions are the most confusing.

1. What is the best way to write a blurb? (Write it)
2. Can an author write their own blurb? (Yes. If they write a book they can write a blurb)
3. How long should a blurb be? (It depends but to keep it short 150-250 words. Some blurbs are longer as it requires more explanation)

What is a Blurb?

A blurb is a brief "description" compiled of relevant "information" that includes "details" from something, someone, a book, a movie, etc. 

We have defined what a Blurb is. Now it is time for us to understand what it is and how to start writing it. Let us look at the main structure of a Blurb.

What is the main structure of a Blurb?

The description is the main structure of a Blurb but the backbone of the description is the following:

1. Relevant information 
2. Details

The "Relevant information" is what we are going to use from our book summary or overview to contribute to the Blurb or whatever our interest is. We will also add details that are going to be necessary to our description. 

The Details are referred to individual facts that are going to be a part of our brief description. We want our blurb to be factual about our product. The truth is if you write a lie people will know that it is a lie. for example.

You are a regular customer at a store. You know what you want to buy. However, a new product has arrived. You read a blurb about it and then you decide to give it a try and when you realize. The product wasn't actually what you expected it to be according to the description. I am a victim of this. Maybe you are a victim of this also. To sum it up we need our blurb to be factual as it relates to our product.

Writing a blurb doesn't have to be complicated and stressful. What you need are the right techniques to use after you understand what a Blurb is. Let us continue. Most people will tell you that you need to write a compelling sale pitch-type blurb in order for your product to sell. If you are like me you probably ask yourself what the hell is a sale pitch-type blurb? How can I even write that? With all that confusion writing a simple description becomes more complicated because you don't understand it. Now, that leads me to clarify the tone a blurb should be in.

What tone should a Blurb be in?

A blurb should be in an informative tone. You need to tell people what your product is about in a brief description. Therefore, it is important to be informative. Providing information is necessary. Relevant information and details help to clarify your description that will be a part of the Blurb.

The example of a fiction book blurb from scratch

I have written a book called "She lied". It is a fiction suspense crime book of a woman named Luran James. That is the basic information. However, I would like to write a blurb. I don't want to give too much information to the readers but I want to be informative. I am going to ask myself some questions about my book. I am going to do a sketch. Always remember that doing a sketch is important because it improves your blurb writing skills. Let's start with the sketch--it is going to include our details, relevant information, and some questions. We want to be consistent with the methods of writing a Blurb. After a while, it will come easy. 

The Sketch

• My book is a fiction suspense crime book
• The title of the book is She lied
• What is "She Lied" about? (This is going to be our book summary.) My book is about a woman named Luran James that hated her best friend. She did things to hurt her because she wanted her husband.
• What do you want your readers to know? Well, I would like them to know that "She Lied" is about a very envious woman that became bitter when Luran's best friend got married to a man she was obsessed with.
• some words that will help to strengthen my description: obsession, revenge, lies, breath-taking, 
• Tag lines [This is a catchphrase or slogan, especially as used in advertising]: A deadly obsession leads to a game of hatred.  Luran James' revenge had jeopardized the lives of two lovers. A crime thriller suspense women fiction novel. "She Lied" is a suspense crime thriller novel that is bound to keep your reading.
• Details: Luran James is in her mid-forties. Her best friend is Lissa Harl and so on.

Okay, now we have created a sketch. Now it is time to summarize it by combining the relevant information and details.

The summary

Summary One

"She Lied" is a crime thriller suspense novel that is bound to keep you reading. The story of Luran James, a woman in her mid-forties, has become a plot of revenge. Her secret obsession was jeopardizing the lives of two lovers as she became envious and cunning.

Summary Two

An innocent friend will become a part of Luran James' twisted lies as she tries to find the perpetrator who wants to ruin her marriage. A mind-blowing secret obsession has become a thin line between two best friends. (This is just a simple summary. We are gathering our thoughts.)

Okay, so I have written a summary of what the blurb is going to be like by combining my relevant information and details. Now, I am going to improve the summary that I have written to be a brief description. It is time to improve the summary.

Improving the summary

A mind-blowing secret obsession has become a thin line between two best friends. An innocent friend will become a part of an envious woman's twisted lies as she tries to find the perpetrator that wants to ruin her marriage and kill her. The lives of two lovers have become threatened by a viper that has a strong desire for revenge. The book "She Lied" is bound to keep you reading as you uncover the truth about two best friends.  

Now we have improved the summary. It is time to proofread my short description and then I have a blurb. As you can see the blurb is short and I didn't give too much information to readers and used the character's name. I want the readers to read the book. I just want to spark their curiosity and persuade them to read my book "She Lied."

The Blurb

A mind-blowing secret obsession has become a thin line between two best friends. An innocent friend will become a part of an envious woman's twisted lies as she tries to find the perpetrator that wants to ruin her marriage and kill her. The lives of two lovers have become threatened by a deadly viper that has a strong desire for revenge. The book "She Lied" is bound to keep you reading as you uncover the truth about two best friends. Read this book now.

At the end of the blurb, I have added a call to action "Read this book now." Sometimes it persuades readers to read your book. People are people. If they want to read the book they will read it. Readers are not AI. We should always appreciate readers as they are. There are many readers out there that want to read your story but you have to make a unique impression. When something is too common people look for something uncommon.  

Always remember to keep your Blurb informative. Don't make it complicated by using big words. Just keep it simple because people understand simple things. Keep it short as well. Some blurb descriptions are longer because of the book content, like historical romance books. science fiction, outer space, etc. It is based on the completeness of the blurb that makes readers more interesting.

Example of an outer space fiction book Blurb

Mary is writing a blurb about a fiction book called “Revolution: The truth about space”. She is going to have many details and relevant information to write about even though she has written a book summary. Some types of books are realistic fiction so the blurb is a bit longer according to the information provided.

Blurb example

During the vast exploration of Galaxy Uran-theum, Magrit James has discovered an Engrantula from Planet Cunstant. For centuries scientists have believed that humans only existed on Planet Earth. However, some scientists speculated that there is a chance other species similar to humans might exist on different planets.

Theoretically, Margrit James has proven Mark Duvine's (A famous scientist)  theory that humans exist within different life forms but are brought about according to revolution and adaptation. Margrit James will journey to an unknown planet to further prove her theory about human existence within different forms. She will go on a treacherous mission as different species of aliens become her worst enemy. 

If I were to use a shorter blurb then it wouldn't be complete. However, keeping it informative will surely make readers curious. 

The conclusion

To write a blurb you must understand it. Never give too much of your book's information out there. However, if you are writing product information then you need to give more information. This blurb explanation goes for fiction but a non-fiction explanation will be written about.

When writing a burb always remember to use a sketch, create a summary, and then improve it. Make it simple and clear but compelling. 

If you like this post please share it with your friends. If you have a friend or a colleague that is struggling to write a fiction blurb then share this educational content with them. Recommend the Hicorah Blog.