How to Write a Strong Story Concept (Reverse Book Blurb Exercise)

A story concept is the general idea of what a story will be about in terms of the plot, characters, and setting. As a writing exercise, you can capture your story concept in a “blurb”—a short summary that’s written in a way as to entice readers. Writing a blurb BEFORE you even begin drafting the manuscript can help you focus your ideas and see if the story is worth writing.

In this video, I use the evolution of my story concept for WISH HUNTER, an adult urban fantasy novel, as an example. I collaborated with authors Hero Bowen and Jordan Riley Swan to bring this story to life.

The different drafts of my blurb are on my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-How-to-Write-a-Strong-Story-Con-Y8Y04ZRZ9

You can read a text version of this video on Medium: https://quotidianwriter.medium.com/how-to-write-a-strong-story-concept-reverse-book-blurb-exercise-249c33a9d72e

Buy WISH HUNTER on Amazon via my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3ih2Lgi

Add WISH HUNTER to your Want-to-Read list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57122700-wish-hunter

Story Garden Publishing YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUsCHuOOf9DPp2_Ow76rBWA

Jordan Riley Swan’s website: https://www.jordanrileyswan.com

Love my channel? Treat me to a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/quotidianwriter.

My Published Stories and Poems: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/my-writing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuotidianWriter

Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: https://www.behance.net/vitordupont

Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zl4EGLoiI8&t=83s

Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ “Forgotten Forest”
+ “Light the Bonfire”
+ “Hideaway”
+ “Through the Woods We Ran”
+ “Alone”

SOURCES
Mike Chen’s query letter for HERE AND NOW AND THEN: https://www.ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2019/01/21/perfect-pitch-mike-chens-here-and-now-and-then__trashed

Mike Chen’s blurb for HERE AND NOW AND THEN:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39217756-here-and-now-and-then

Back Cover Blurb vs. Query Letter: https://thinkingthroughourfingers.com/2018/02/22/back-cover-blurbs-vs-query-letter-blurbs/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20biggest%20differences,They%20have%20to%20avoid%20spoilers

Introduction (0:00)
Pitch List (2:57)
Test Drive (4:58)
Redesign (8:41)
Final Thoughts (12:32)

Видео How to Write a Strong Story Concept (Reverse Book Blurb Exercise) канала Diane Callahan - Quotidian Writer