I mentioned in a recent post about how I enjoy not knowing too much about what’s coming when I’m planning on watching a movie or starting in on a new book. I should add as a contradictory corollary, that I do have some favourite movies I will watch again and again – where I pretty much absolutely know what’s coming.
But in that post I mentioned that when it comes to writing blurbs for my own books, that I work hard to ensure that I don’t give too much away, but do write enough to entice readers.
The balancing act. I like how the high-wire walker in the photo here has still got safety cables attached. You wouldn’t get me up on one of those things, but sure as eggs I’m confident that the smartest of those people have safety cables carabinered on.
Here’s my practise a blurb for “Mech Variant”, a Wildest Skies story coming out later this year.
A brutal and challenging tale that pits common sense against survival instincts.
Galactic explorer Ed Linklater wants a quiet moment enjoying planet Gladioll’s sweet, restful scenery.
To bad the scenery lies in the firing line.
A high-stakes emotional roller coaster of a story that takes no prisoners.
Do I give too much away there? Not enough? Have I straddled the balance of revealing enough to make someone sufficiently intrigued to read the story, but not so over-informed that they won’t bother?
As with anything in writing, I’ll just keep learning and keep striving.
image: Adobe stock. Book cover image © Grandeluc | Dreamstime
Sean Monaghan - Writer 