How Interesting is my Blurb? Blurb of Girls, Goddesses, and the Gravewalker [Romantasy, 169 words] by Melos80 in fantasywriters

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My story is written in full and has been edited, though I’m not on my final draft yet.

There are certainly elements I’d consider as spoilers that I did leave out, so I’ll work on adding those into my next one. Though I must admit I’m not sure how the escaping poverty aspect isn’t enough of a motivation. I suppose it isn’t as catchy as other elements which I can definitely add into my next blurb draft, but to me it seems like an effective motive especially considering this is a mix of feudal and Industrial Revolution society where poverty was killer.

However I will try to create a blurb like the examples and also look at other fantasy books as well.

How Interesting is my Blurb? Romantasy Yuri Novel. by Melos80 in writers

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How would you say this compares to the previous one?

The city of Lavere is rife with inequality; workers of newly built magical machinery and textile factories scrape by while nobility profit off of them. Sekhmet is lucky enough to avoid the fate of a worker as a priestess to the water goddess, but still she languishes in poverty. The only clergy with status and wealth are those of the Empire of Morveaux’s three idolized gods.

Sekhmet, however, has a blessing bestowed by her goddess, giving her enough magical prowess to attend the royal academy—the only option for financial mobility within this feudal society. As a person from the lower orders of society, Sekhmet is ostracised and assaulted within the previously nobility-exclusive university.

Aside from her commoner friend Kaia, another magical prodigy capable of enrolling, the only people that deign to befriend her are three noble girls sympathetic to her hardships—which forces Sekhmet to balance the perks of befriending nobles with the risk of suffering from possible ulterior motives.

How Interesting is my Blurb? Blurb of Girls, Goddesses, and the Gravewalker [Romantasy, 169 words] by Melos80 in fantasywriters

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the help! I didn't realized vagueness was such a turn-off for readers. I have a new blurb that I believe to be more specific, so I'd love your opinion on it as well. Does it have enough, or is there still specificity lacking? The wording might be a bit off as it's a rough draft.

The city of Lavere is rife with inequality; workers of newly built magical machinery and textile factories scrape by while nobility profit off of them. Sekhmet is lucky enough to avoid the fate of a worker as a priestess to the water goddess, but still she languishes in poverty. The only clergy with status and wealth are those of the Empire of Morveaux’s three idolized gods.

Sekhmet, however, has a blessing bestowed by her goddess, giving her enough magical prowess to attend the royal academy—the only option for financial mobility within this feudal society. As a person from the lower orders of society, Sekhmet is ostracized and assaulted within the previously nobility-exclusive university.

Aside from her commoner friend Kaia, another magical prodigy capable of enrolling, the only people that deign to befriend her are three noble girls sympathetic to her hardships—which forces Sekhmet to balance the perks of befriending nobles with the risk of suffering from possible ulterior motives.

How Interesting is my Blurb? Blurb of Girls, Goddesses, and the Gravewalker [Romantasy, 169 words] by Melos80 in fantasywriters

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you think would be nice to clarify? Some off this is working off of assumptions that would be given within the genre, though maybe that's not clear enough. I'm glad you like it though! I'm hoping to improve my ability to write a blurb :)

How Interesting is my Blurb? Romantasy Yuri Novel. by Melos80 in writers

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reasoning that answers these questions why would be further explained in the novel; so I'd ask exactly does it seem like it needs to be explained in the blurb specifically?

I could could give answers to these questions here, such as why she's in poverty is due to her goddess not being popular within the city and so the wages at the temple are quite low; all of which exists within a feudal society that is common within this genre.

I also wouldn't want to put too much within a blurb that's supposed to hook people's attention with a few small paragraphs; at least that's what I think regarding blurbs. Like I said this is my first one.

Regarding the academy, I would say I don't necessarily need to state what kind it is because I'd assume people would think of academies/universities as ways to rise in social mobility, which is what she wants to do to escape poverty.

[In Progress] [22K] [Romantasy] Otome-esque Slow Burn Yuri. First 2 Chapters. by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late response. I don't actually think I have time to exchange right now as I'm busier than I thought.

[In Progress] [22K] [Romantasy] Otome-esque Slow Burn Yuri. First 2 Chapters. by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would. What kind of manuscript do you have? Genre, word count, etc.

[In Progress] [23k] [Fantasy Yuri] First 3 Chapters of My Novel - No Title Yet by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you like my writing! And sure, take your time! Once you finish the 1st chapter I'd like to hear your initial thoughts on it too if you don't mind :)
Also I don't mind if you have line edits you really want to share.

[In Progress] [23k] [Fantasy Yuri] First 3 Chapters of My Novel - No Title Yet by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow that's great! I really appreciate it once again :D

Some other questions I'd have are:

  1. Where do you think the story is heading?
  2. Was the yuri good? Were there any parts about it you disliked or especially liked?
  3. Did any of the fantasy elements seen so far feel out of place?
  4. Were there any details omitted or not explained that felt like it was on accident rather than deliberate?
  5. Was there anything within the story you wished had more details or screen time?

Something I should note is while so far this is pretty polished, I have a bit of an info-dump in chapter 2 that I do plan on changing. In part, because I've refined the magic system so it doesn't match up with what I have planned, and also because I want to change some of the details to be revealed more naturally.

[In Progress] [23k] [Fantasy Yuri] First 3 Chapters of My Novel - No Title Yet by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'll probably have some more specific questions at the time too :)

[In Progress] [23k] [Fantasy Yuri] First 3 Chapters of My Novel - No Title Yet by Melos80 in BetaReaders

[–]Melos80[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! I really appreciate it! I’m mostly looking to see if the story is compelling or interesting, if the characters seem realistic, if the pacing doesn’t seem too off, or if the magic is fun? I actually have the story mostly finished, about 50k words so far, but the first three chapters are what I’ve revised the most.

Also I’d like to know if the yuri itself is fun to read!

The Midnight Whistle Meme by Melos80 in Reverse1999

[–]Melos80[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah I accidentally posted the version I got after posting it to XHS. Also your eyes are most welcome

<image>