Wednesday, February 8

It's really not what you think it is (Writing Prompt -- #5)

Plus a subtle query letter writing exercise at the bottom of this post.


I usually try to not talk about myself too much on this blog. It should be a blog on my WIPs, my anticipated discoveries, writing, rants, and books. It shouldn't really particularly be about me, and my life, and how successful or ridiculous or absolutely fantastic I might be. But then again, if you look at the labels over there (--->) it does say that there are currently eighteen posts tagged "words of me", and counting. That, everyone, is the second most frequent label, right behind "writing" and just a few more than "Depravity". 

Confession: Do I rarely talk about myself? No, actually. I do talk about myself. A lot. But I'd like to say it's a healthy and average chunk "a lot", and not a completely self-absorbed "a lot". (But if I ever get too far into the self-absorbed section on this blog, let me know, and I'll switch back right away!) Yeah, that's great and all, right? But what does this have to do with this week's prompt?

Brought to you by Creative Writing Prompts ^-^

Fifteen year old Ella lives a hidden life.

In fact, her name isn’t even Ella. Raised in a society where math and science are encouraged and the arts squashed into a bloody pulp, Ella takes on a pen name and finds refuge in her writing, an unrecognized form of creativity that many people in her school view with eye rollings and scoffs. In order to avoid embarrassment and possible emotional-wrecking humiliation, Ella works in secret, driven to beat the odds and prove her worth to an unaccepting public. But with this goal comes three things: unexpected friendship, theoretical enemies, and a daunting deadline that will decide the rest of her future.

Inspirational and heart wrenching, It’s Really Not What You Think It Is will make readers sympathize with this young writer and egg her on as she approaches the most crucial period of her teenage life: high school graduation, and what comes afterwards.

Word count: 158. Close enough.

I actually exaggerated in that blurb. Like really exaggerated. I can promise you one thing though: my life really isn't that exciting. I didn't make all of that up, however; every word is true. But it's really not that dramatic. Trust me.

This is actually a pretty good way to practice writing query letters, blurbs...all of that good agentman-stuff. I mean it. Think of every single aspect of your life and try to put it in a way that people would want to hear about, to read about. Make it gripping, interesting. Use a subtle exaggeration if necessary (like I did!), but don't lie. This should be similar to your current WIP; though the genres might be different, the concept put into the query letters is still the same.

If your life were a book, what kind of blurb would you write?

- E

4 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, that is pretty much the most fantastic book blurb I've seen in my entire life. No joke. :D Seriously, that's awesome.

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    1. Wow, thank you so much! I'm actually pretty shocked, I really am. I just thought it was really melodramatic :3

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  2. I love it, though I must critique a smidge. This line here --> "Ella works on her work in progress in secret" I had to keep going over that, trying to figure out an easier way to read it. It didn't really flow with the rest. I know it was a quick prompty thing but, just saying. xD I still like it.
    Also <3 the new background layouty shtuff. It's cute <3

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    1. I literally laughed at this because I know what you mean. Yeah...I kind of messed up there with the wording :P I think I'll change it too, "Ella works in secret". Too many "work"'s!

      Thanks for the critique though! And I'm glad you like the layout! ^-^

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