2) Try to keep it 10 words and under.
3) Do not use names of characters. That's a waste of your space.
4) Don't repeat the title of the book. It's already there for the reader to see.
5) Tell something about the character but keep it short. A lone cowboy... A handsome sheriff...
6) Focus on the main thrust of the book, whether it's romance, action, mystery, etc.
7) A short blurb from another writer can sometimes work even better. You can use a shorter quote from the blurb if the one an author sends you is a little long.
8) You are better off with no tagline rather than a bad tagline. A good tagline should help you sell books.
9) Work as much information as possible in those 10 words. You'll notice in Witch Got Your Tongue? that the series name, A Tongue Tied Witch, is worked into the tagline. In Tinseltown, you know it's a romance, suspense, historical and the location just from the tagline.
10) Now, last but not least...there are always exceptions.
All I can say is I hyperventilate every time I have to come up with a tagline. Sigh. Good advice--thanks. Now we'll see if I can make it happen.
ReplyDeleteI know. It's an impossible feat to say it all in one sentence. Luckily we only have to intrigue the reader. That's all.
DeleteGreat advice as always Livia! I'll try and remember it all. But writing taglines and blurbs scare the heck out of me! I'm useless at them. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Cheryl Pierson is the queen of blurbs and taglines. Although I think I do annoy her when I ask, "Can we say this a little shorter?" LOL! Thanks for stopping by Jill.
ReplyDeleteNaw...it's a challenge! LOL I used to not be good at them, either. I'd have my daughter write them--she is really really good and quick. But as time has gone by, I've gotten much better at it, and the trick is, it's a lot easier to write them for someone else's stories than your own.
DeleteGood advice. Sometimes a tagline appears that is just right...and sometimes I cannot do it and ask someone else to try. I knew nothing about taglines on my early books. But now, I always look for one on any book I'm thinking about reading. Yes, the tagline is important--the right tagline.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the right tagline can be hard to put your finger on. I want to put some much in one, and yet I have so few words to do it in. A few years ago the editors and agents wanted to know what the hook was in a new novel before they'd buy it. Really the tagline is the hook. What makes this book or story special in one sentence. Thanks for stopping by Celia.
DeleteGreat advice, Livia. It's similar to writing a tweet--eliminating words until you get to the essence. But it's easier with some stories than others.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristy. That is exactly what it's like. Great analogy.
DeleteThank you. It's funny how you know what you need to do, but you forget the 'rules'. New to the game, so this is very helpful. Thank you. Doris/Angela
ReplyDeleteYes but rules can be broken, you have to remember that, too. Thank you for dropping by Doris.
DeleteLivia, thanks for this essential advice! Taglines are hard, but I love Kristy's advice: write a tweet and pare it down. I also love Celia's: Ask someone else for help.
ReplyDeleteIMO, the best taglines don't have to encapsulate the sweeping theme or plot of the story. They just have to give readers a tiny tidbit that makes them so curious they HAVE to read to find out what the devil that tidbit means.
Kathleen you have such a great grasp for language, that's why I've come to you for help in the past. It's just dangling bait with a hook.
DeleteI guess if I can survive writing the synopsis, I can figure out how to do tag lines....I hope.
ReplyDeleteOf course you can. Of that I have no doubt, Diana. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI love words but tag lines are hard. But... At least it means you have a book coming out soon!!
ReplyDeleteEverything about writing a book is hard. You can't even sit back after you finish and say I'm done. Thank you Tanya for stopping by.
DeleteThese are great points, Livia. I need to copy and print this and stick it up on my wall. It seems like I usually have no trouble thinking of taglines and blurbs for other people's books rather than my own. I think it's because for our own books we are so in love with the characters and the story, there's not anything we want to leave out! But for another person's story, it's easier to think about what the 'standout' points should be.
ReplyDeleteI do think you're right. It is much harder to cut your own novel down to a handful of words. I do appreciate your talent for this.
DeleteThanks! I enjoy doing it!
DeleteComing up with a punchy tagline and catchy blurb are aspects of the overall writing experience that I enjoy playing around with. Granted, some story lines lend themselves to the task readily while others are more challenging. (and I'm not saying I write *good* or even *decent* taglines and blurbs lolol). I know some authors have both the tagline and blurb done before they even put pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard. But I've never come up with either before writing a story. For me, they evolve as I write,
ReplyDeleteMovie taglines are a great way to get a feel for writing them for your book or story. A few of my favorites:
*Les Miserables: Fight. Dream. Hope. Love.
*The Count of Monte Cristo: Prepare for adventure. Count on revenge.
*The Princess Bride: As you wish.
*The Illusionist: Nothing is what it seems.
*Hellboy: From the other side to our side
*Star Wars: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away
*The Pianist: Music was his passion. Survival was his masterpiece.
*Armaggedon: Earth. It was fun while it lasted.
*Independence Day: Earth. Take a good look. It could be your last.
*Highlander: There can be only one.
*The Prestige: Are you watching closely?
*Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
*Apollo 13: Houston, we have a problem.
*Quills: Meet the Marquis de Sade. The pleasure's all his.
*The Matrix: Reality is a thing of the past.
*Ghostbusters: Who ya gonna call?
*Saving Private Ryan: The mission is a man.
*Jurassic Park: An adventure 65 million years in the making.
*Chicken Run: Escape or die frying.
*Shawshank Redemption: Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
*Jaws 2: Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.
*Schindler's List: The List is life.
*Christmas Vacation: Yule crack up.
*Platoon: The first casualty of war is innocence.
*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Have the adventure of your life keeping up with the Joneses.
Kaye this is good to point out. Movies have some excellent taglines/loglines. Thank you for taking the time to list those. You have some really well known ones there.
DeleteThis seems a very timely topic. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's one we all struggle with. Thank you for dropping by Sean.
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