Giving quotes question

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

One of Dirty Harry's best quips (IMHO) was "a man has to know his limitations."

I'm not a man, but I think I know what I don't do so well... Quotes. Cover blurb quotes. Front matter quotes. The sort of quotes that get snipped and put in sig files and on bookmarks.

Mine end up like a sales pitch... too much about me, or too urgent, or waaay to wordy. I don't seem to have a feel for writing one-liners that inspire others with an urgent desire to read a book.

Anyway, there's no avoiding it, so I'd appreciate some inspiration (help!). I've got to write a wildly enthusiastic, 5-star type quote for an absolutely marvellous science fiction romance, and the author's editor would especially like it if the world-building and the sexiness/sizzle/sensuality could be mentioned.

What quotes have you seen that have made you give an unknown author's book a chance?

Thanks,
Rowena Cherry
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Rowena Cherry

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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

Often, it isn't the individual quotes that attract a reader; it's including something that's of interest to the reader. Readers like to identify with the characters in the book -- not necessarily their own identity but recognisable characteristics of people they know: the womaniser who thinks he's god's gift to women; the faithless husband who doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself; the flirt who always ends up drunk before the party has even begun ...
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Great point, Shelagh,

But what I'm looking for is more like:

"Fun, fascinating, exotic....and exploding with pent up sensual tension." ~ Rowena Cherry

"A hero to die for, a world full of danger..."~ Rowena Cherry

"No one combines sexual frustration and heartpounding action like (this author)..."

"Sensual, clever, witty, original. I was utterly swept in this cool world."

"A world of intrigue, control, and a hero who knows how to handle his weapon..."

Or maybe not!!!
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Rowena Cherry

http://www.rowenacherry.com
Authors' Site Of Excellence Award-winner

Heroines get more (hero) than they bargain for...

Subject: Re: Giving quotes question Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:15 pm

Quotes are almost a mystery to me, too. What appeals to one person may or may not appeal to others. I agree with Shelagh that it really needs to appeal to something familiar in the reader's life, and personally I like qutes that sound highly intriguing and low on the BS scale. I also am not big on alliteration in quotes.
I like your first example Rowena (would replace fun with, perhaps "Entertaining, fascinating, exotic...etc." and the forth one, where I would change the word "cool" because it suffers from overuse...how about "Clever, witty, original. I was utterly swept into this sensual world." or something like that.
Have fun with it (well, clearly you are!). bounce

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Pam,

Very helpful suggestions. Thank you. I'm still looking... if anyone has seen any wording on covers of other SFRs that really inspire.
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Rowena Cherry

http://www.rowenacherry.com
Authors' Site Of Excellence Award-winner

Heroines get more (hero) than they bargain for...

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

I found this thread that might help you to avoid certain words or phrases:

http://aarboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=362&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=back+cover+blurb
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Hi, Shelagh,

That was an interesting discussion, but it was about back cover blurb. What I am writing is a quote... a reference... examples of one author (usually an award winner or best seller) raving about the virtues of a debut author's book.

Best wishes,
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Rowena Cherry

http://www.rowenacherry.com
Authors' Site Of Excellence Award-winner

Heroines get more (hero) than they bargain for...

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

In my search for quotes that pulled up the AAR thread, I read comments from readers saying that they didn't attach much weight to authors writing about another author (which I have found to be true about reviews!) so I would write something that leaves the reader to decide for themselves -- show not tell! LOL!

e.g.

This intruiguing plot/story/novel will leave readers wanting more...
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Hi, Shelagh,

I see we have a lot in common. :-)

What you and I would like to do is rather different from what I've been asked to do.

At the risk of seeming snarky, which is not my intention, if I wrote that the novel would leave readers wanting more, in my mind, I'd be saying that the wretched author didn't tie up all the loose ends! LOL

I think I'll have to sleep on it.
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Rowena Cherry

http://www.rowenacherry.com
Authors' Site Of Excellence Award-winner

Heroines get more (hero) than they bargain for...

Subject: Don't understand. Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:07 pm

I may be dense. I have read this whole thread and still have no idea what you are looking for. Did you want a quote from 'you' about the book, or from someone else? Did you want a quote from the book? Without reading the book I wouldn't be able to help you even come up with something as a quote from you. Sorry. Just wanted to draw your attention to the fact that I wasn't understanding. I am glad that Shelagh does! She is the best!
Sorry I can't help you!
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

Thanks for the kind words Susie! Very Happy

You made me smile Rowena! Smile

"Always leave them wanting more" supposedly said by Walt Disney means don't tell people too much. I left the sentence for you to fill in.

This intruiguing plot/story/novel will leave readers wanting more ... of the same; from the same author; about the sexy goings on; about this steamy romance ... whatever.

I wasn't trying to come up with a soundbite for you; I was trying to make you think. I have absolute faith that you will find the right words ... I know you will! LOL!
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Two Star Member Joined : 18 Mar 2008 Posts : 48

At least you liked the book, Rowena. I've been asked for blurbs a couple of times when I thought the book was so bad I didn't want my name associated with it in any way. Fortunately, I've also been asked to blurb some that I liked.

Right now I'm on the other end--I have a manuscript out for blurbs with some very prominent writers, including a couple of regulars on the New York Times list, and I'm waiting to hear back. So far I've heard from 3 out of 9, and the suspense is excruciating. Do they like it? Hate it? Will they write the blurbs or pretend they never knew me?

The most effective single blurb I've ever heard of was when Stephen King wrote: "I have seen the future of horror, and its name is Clive Barker." That blurb was repeated so many times it almost became as famous as Barker himself.

Some effective blurbs are considerably longer, like Jonathan Kellerman's for James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia. He wrote: "The Black Dahlia is an absolute masterpiece and Ellroy's finest work to date--no mean feat considering the competition. Characters who leap off the page and embed themselves in your psyche, a wonderfully convoluted plot that never stretches the bounds of credulity, the back-alley blood-and-guts of police procedure, gut-churning terror, and all of it played out against a beautifully dark, moody, '40s L.A. jazz score. The ultimate novel noir."

Good luck coming up with the right words for yours!

Jeff
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

Would I steal someone else's genius?

I have seen the future, and its name is Shelagh.

LOL! At least it is in Spider-Man!
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: Giving quotes question Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:35 am

If someone could come up with a brilliant blurb like that for me Jeff, I`d be utterly...over the moon.

I wonder if anyone well respected ever put out a nasty blurb--what would happen (I would insert a question mark here as a matter of course, but seem to have lost control over some of my puctuation marks). Oh yeah, here`s one

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Thank you, Jeffrey.

Those are some really excellent examples, and exactly the sort of help I was looking for!

Did you hear from more than the three? Did you receive something useable?

Best of luck,

Rowena