If you’re writing a webnovel, your story is important — but so is your “book blurb”. The blurb is the short description readers see before they decide whether to read your novel. It’s like a movie trailer in words. If the blurb is boring, confusing, or unclear, readers might skip your story — no matter how good it is.
Start by hooking readers right from the first line — grab their attention and make them want more. Then, introduce your main characters and their goals to give readers a quick sense of who the story is about. Be sure to highlight the central conflict or problem, but avoid spoilers — the blurb should tease the storyline, not reveal it. Keep your writing concise, emotionally engaging, and aligned with the genre’s tone to make the strongest impact.
1. Grab Attention
The first sentence is the most significant. It should attract the reader’s attention right away. How to accomplish it:
• Always start with an intriguing question.
• Start with a surprising line.
• Explain the core problem or conflict.
Like this:
“She was supposed to die… but she woke up in another world.”
“What if you were the villain in your own story?”
The idea here is to pique readers’ interest or make them curious and make them want to read on.
2. Introduce the Main Characters and their Goals
Tell readers who the main character is and what they want. Keep it short, but make the reader care for them.
1. Use the character’s name.
Mention one or two things that make them interesting (like a secret, power, or flaw) but do not start about character description like how tall they are, their appearance, etc.
2. Explain what they want or are trying to do.
Example: “Mea is a shy librarian by day, but at night, she hunts magical creatures that no one else can see.”
3. Show the Conflict or Problem
Every good story has a problem. Your blurb should hint at the main challenge or danger your character will face.
Example: “But when an ancient demon awakens in her town, Mea must choose: run away or face her deepest fears.”
4. Add a Tease, Not a Spoiler!
Don’t give away the whole story! Leave readers with a reason to click “Read More”. Hint at mystery, romance, danger, or twists.
Try ending with a question, it works most of the time.
Or maybe a dramatic statement. Also, you could use a mystery line, something unknown.
Examples:
“Will she survive long enough to learn the truth?”
“Nothing is what it seems in the world of shadows.”
5. Keep It Short and Sweet
Your blurb should be around 100–150 words. Generally long blurbs can scare away readers. As a reader, I think every sentence should have a purpose.
6. Use Simple, Emotional Language
Don’t try to sound too fancy. Please, use clear words that stir emotion — fear, excitement, curiosity, love, etc. Complicated words are not appealing when choosing a book to read.
Boring: “The protagonist embarks on a complex journey through various events.”
Better: “With monsters chasing her and no one to trust, Aria must find the truth — or die trying.”
7. Match the Genre Tone
If your story is a romance, make the blurb romantic. If it’s horror, create tension. The tone should reflect the story’s mood.
Examples:
- Romance: “Two enemies. One stormy night. Can love survive the war between them?”
- Fantasy: “In a land of dragons and gods, one girl holds the power to save or destroy everything.”
- Thriller: “He has 24 hours to find the killer. The clock is ticking.”
The post was written by our esteemed editor, Tisha D.
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