I’ve written a lot of short stories in the last few years. Some have been published in a collection while others are simply awaiting their time to shine. As I considered how to organize my collections, I began to wonder if the stories themselves are worth reading on their own. As a collection, these short stories have the benefit of being part of something greater, but I want to know “would you read these stories?” if they were presented on their own. That’s also when I begin to consider that I write blurbs for the books I release, but I don’t write blurbs for individual stories in a collection, a tagline usually does the job. Well, that’s about to change. In this series, I’ll be sharing unpublished blurbs to stories that may or may not yet be released. These blurbs are not meant to be used to pitch or sell these stories. This is just a practice on the concept of writing a blurb? I just want to know if the blurbs are any good. I may also offer some ideas of what cover designs for these stories may look like. I hope you enjoy this adventure.
For the third post in this series, I thought I’d start with the blurb for the first romance story (a YA romance at that) I ever wrote. It, like the last story, is included in my collection, Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short stories. However, the version of the story that appears in that collection, is quite different from the story I wrote back in high school.
Yes, this is the first story I published that had been originally written during a time in my life before I realized just how important writing is to me. Back in high school, I wrote short stories and poems to amuse myself or sell to classmates who wanted to impress someone. They’d give me an idea and some specs, and I’d provide them with a story or poem. I had a strict “no academia” policy. If I thought someone was trying to pass off something I wrote for an English assignment, I’d come clean. Only one person ever attempted it, but they didn’t go through with it.
Encounter is another story I presented to my old writing group, which at the time gave me many pointers on how to present it better. I ended up tweaking the story a bit to suit myself. It’s supposed to be a love at first sight story, but I never felt right about it. I guess you could say, I’m just not a believer in love at first sight. I reworked the story to show that my characters had at least encountered each other one other time before “falling in love.” At just around 1700 words, I’m very proud of the way this story has evolved.
Below is the proposed blurb for the story and two book cover mock-ups for you to vote on. These are rough drafts that will never be produced, but I’d still like to know your thoughts on making them better, if you have any.
Yes, this is the first story I published that had been originally written during a time in my life before I realized just how important writing is to me. Back in high school, I wrote short stories and poems to amuse myself or sell to classmates who wanted to impress someone. They’d give me an idea and some specs, and I’d provide them with a story or poem. I had a strict “no academia” policy. If I thought someone was trying to pass off something I wrote for an English assignment, I’d come clean. Only one person ever attempted it, but they didn’t go through with it.
Encounter is another story I presented to my old writing group, which at the time gave me many pointers on how to present it better. I ended up tweaking the story a bit to suit myself. It’s supposed to be a love at first sight story, but I never felt right about it. I guess you could say, I’m just not a believer in love at first sight. I reworked the story to show that my characters had at least encountered each other one other time before “falling in love.” At just around 1700 words, I’m very proud of the way this story has evolved.
Below is the proposed blurb for the story and two book cover mock-ups for you to vote on. These are rough drafts that will never be produced, but I’d still like to know your thoughts on making them better, if you have any.
What’s a girl to do when the object of her affection looks like a golden demi-god and she’s as plain as grain?
For Talia, she’s decided to chase down destiny and stare into his dreamy, copper eyes just once more before she likely faints from exhilaration.
Will Talia discover love or disappointment when she seeks out her next "chance" encounter?
For Talia, she’s decided to chase down destiny and stare into his dreamy, copper eyes just once more before she likely faints from exhilaration.
Will Talia discover love or disappointment when she seeks out her next "chance" encounter?
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| Results as of 12/6. You can still vote. |
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