Writing a Book Blurb
by: Bruce L. Cook
When writing a book it’s difficult to stand back and see it from outside. For the writer, the work becomes an organic whole, almost a slice of life, and objectivity is tossed to the winds. However, with the advent of Print on Demand Publishing, it often becomes the author’s task to sell the book, and that’s where it becomes necessary to see the book as a product.
For example, if a writer has done a book about airplane design, but titles the book “Green Onions,” you know something is wrong. Now, the title may make sense to the author’s friends, or even to someone who reads the book and discovers that it describes the Green Onion Airport Company. But, even then, there’s an inherent problem, for the reader interested in airplane design simply will not know what the book is about, and a potential sale will be lost.
There are those who would disparage the reader, suggesting that the author has a right to do as he or she likes. But this becomes a matter of pride, for a book is nothing without its readers.
While the book’s title is the most important item on the cover when it comes to attracting buyers, the “blurb” usually comes second. Here the author tells the reader what the book is about. And it’s often the most difficult thing for the author to write. In fact, if you can obtain the services of a skilled advertising copy writer, the blurb will be immeasurably more effective.
In writing a blurb, the writer can begin by writing a synopsis, which is usually too lengthy for normal print size on the back cover of a book. But, since the author feels that everything is equally important, this is a good place to start.
Then take a pen to the lengthy version, striking out lesser points and combining similar things. Finally, set the large blurb aside and come back to it tomorrow or the next day, when you can gain better perspective.
In any case, as with reading the title, your goal is functional - to let the reader know what the book is about. It is not a chance to showcase your writing skills. You need to read the blurb as if you are a reader. If this seems impossible, I’d recommend that you find a potential reader and show them your blurb. Then ask the reader what the book is about.
It’s a difficult skill, switching from author view to reader view, but now that individual book sales are rare, it’s worthwhile to master the art. And, who knows, switching views may well improve the writing inside the book too.
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Carpe Diem.. (continued)
As adults, there is no time to contemplate where time is going because many folks swamp themselves by their daily routines.
However, as adults age, one day they suddenly realize how fast time flies. The older they become, the more they understand how time is speeding up, racing headlong into the jaws of physical death. In old age, a person may look back at past events that all too often had unpleasant outcomes and a few times surprisingly super results. In most peoples lives the problems outweighed the good times but somehow or other they struggled through and here they are in old age, reminiscing.
No matter how successful or ineffective they were, everyone will as the same question ... Did I make the best of my time on earth. If they did, they will have no regrets. However if they did not enjoy their past life, it will come back to haunt them no matter how big the bank balance. In all probabilities, they will pass over in a depressed state of mind. Therefore, it makes sense to know as soon as possible how to live each moment on earth in divine bliss ... To know how to seize each day and make the most of every second.
The origins of the words Carpe Diem (seize the day) have been around for many centuries. Many people attribute it to the Roman poet Horace, however is was around long before. That said, this is a good place to start our research...
Horace's ode "Carpe Diem” or "Pluck the Day"
Ask not ... we cannot know...
what end the gods have set for you, for me;
nor attempt the Babylonian reckonings Leuconoë.
How much better to endure whatever comes,
whether Jupiter grants us additional winters
or whether this is our last,
which now wears out the Tuscan Sea
upon the barrier of the cliffs!
Be wise, strain the wine; and since life is brief,
prune back far-reaching hopes!
Even while we speak, envious time has passed:
pluck the day,
putting as little trust as possible in tomorrow.
It seems humanity has always concerned itself with its own fleeting mortality ... Seize the day, was first written down about 1160 B.C., well before Horace. This poem was found on the tomb of Inherkhawy, a supervisor of workers at the Egyptian royal burial ground in the ancient city of Thebes:
Song of the Harper
Carpe diem ('seize the day') motif; song for Osiris;
All who come into being as flesh, pass on;
busy fluttering souls and bright transfigured spirits
who people the world below
and those who shine in the stars with Orion;
all men rest in the grave;
set your home well that your good name last because of it,
care for your works that your seat in the West be splendid;
seize the day! hold holiday!
be unwearied, unceasing, alive,
let not your heart be troubled during your sojourn on earth
grieve not your heart, whatever comes
recall not the evil, loathsome to God,
but have joy, joy, joy, and pleasure!
content with your lot, rejoicing, not speaking evil.
Superb words which have not lost their powerful message with the passing years. They make up the cornerstone foundation of every religion. In fact, the words are more needed to be understood today than at any time in human history.
There can be no doubt that from the beginning of the human time and space mode, people have look up at the heavens and asked how they can make the most of their life on earth. The fountain of youth has become billions of dollar industry, with all type of cosmetic products and surgical procedures, keep fit regimens, health treatments, guru seminars and a whole host of concoctions that boggle the mind. And yet, despite all of that, holding on to blissful time is seemingly like trying to capture the wind as it breezes-by on your face.
Experts may express that is impossible to be in a pleasurable state of mind all the day, every day. They will go on the say that even if it were possible life would become boring and uninteresting.
Since most people listen to expert advice, they will believe the experts and feel it is normal to be miserable some days when things don't go the way they intended. Therefore, for most people it has become impossible to seize every day and enjoy whatever it brings. Nevertheless, what if the experts are wrong and a person could enjoy every moment they are on earth.
What if there is a way to find the elixir of happiness that does not cost a dime and does not need any other human beings advice. Would that be something human beings would want? The answer is yes they do want it; however, the obstacle that stands in their way is so huge that for most people it becomes very hard to shift. The reason why is so hard to overcome is the fact that it is the persons own belief system and intellect that bars the way to happiness. Most people have become so entrenched in the way they perceive the world to be, that any application of truthfulness upsets their demeanor and they run a million miles in the opposite direction.
The truth, like joy-filled time, evades most people and the more people try to capture them, the further away they travel. It is comparable to a computer that is loaded with all types of sophisticated software and yet fails to understand the simplest of tasks because it is are no longer part of the modern system that requires applications that are more advanced.
Joy is still a gift that comes with birth however, the modern day living soon wants to take simple joy and change it by artificial human intellect into something it was never meant to be. The only place on earth that is susceptible to erroneous changes is the human intellect that believes it can alter its own intelligence system and make it better than originally planned.
It shoves all types of food and drink into a system that is built to enjoy water and simple healthy foods. It artificially creates a luxury lifestyle, while forsaking the key ingredients of happiness and contentment. An expensive lifestyle is one where happiness is sacrificed for money, serenity for ambition and contentment for the pursuit of things. The simplicity formula is ... Happy to be alive with common sense = Intelligence…Working at being correct = Intellect.
When the intellect attempts to rule over is own intelligence system, the result will always turn out to be misery. The good news is, whenever the intellect allows its own intelligence system to guide its lifestyle and creativity, the results will be Carpe Diem.
The moments may contain chaos that want to catch the attention however, when we can seize that moment of chaos and feel the joy of the divine, we have seized the moment of joy within the chaos. The person that can seize the joy in the day without being caught up in the mayhem that may exist around them will live a prosperous life. Try to remember, beginners luck can last a lifetime, once we understand how lucky we are to be born.
To help you pursue your ideas of contentment and tranquility, read each essay slowly and give yourself the time, and grace before you read the next chapter. This book is not a speed contest to find out how fast you can get through it. It is written so the you have better choices once you ponder on the meaning in each essay …Enjoy the day!
_Michael Levy
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Point of Life Inc.
PO Box 7, 3032 East Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
FL 33308
Website http://www.pointoflife.com/
About the Author
Michael Levy's philosophy of life is one of joyful optimism. He is an international radio host and the author of nine inspirational books.
Michael was born in a poor district in Manchester, England on the 6th March 1945. After many life experiences and a very successful business career he retired to Florida in 1992.
In 1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project his philosophy. The website www.pointoflife.com and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are visited and read by thousands of people around the world every month.
Michael is a frequent speaker on radio, television and at seminars where he shares and discusses his views about the purpose of life, finance and stock market investments, also living a healthy, stress-free life. His new book; Paradise Graces A Simple Mind, is now available from all good bookstores.
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