Thoughtful Thursday: A Rhapsody on Writing Author Blurbs
Haly has to write one of those third-person author blurbs, and shares how she approaches it as a world-building problem!
I’m Thankful for You!
Next week is Thanksgiving in the United States. It is on the list of my favorite holidays because I get to feed people. Gifts of food and comfort (blankets, hats, sweaters, etc.) are one of my love languages, and Thanksgiving is all about that home cooked comfort food feeling.
When I can’t feed someone’s body, then I look for ways to feed their mind and soul. By entertaining them. By educating them. (I’m not NOT saying that’s why I write a world-building newsletter…)
As I write this, I’m preparing for a thing. (Trust me, you’ll see it when it happens.) It’s one of those things where you have to provide a little third-person bio, and I’m finding it incredibly difficult!
Am I the only one who’s weirded out by the concept of writing about myself in the third person? How ridiculous of a concept is that, really…
Celebrated for her passion and helpfulness, Haly, the Moonlight Bard is an accomplished world-builder and storyteller. Voted World Anvil’s ‘Most Helpful Camper’ 2024, she created her Substack publication — Rhapsody by Moonlight — to assist the fiction community with their world-building challenges. Her weekly advice column, "Ask the Bard," has led to her new role as a freelance world-building consultant.
She shares a home in the Midwest United States with a devoted cat, a spoiled dog, an incredible husband…and a library of over 300 tabletop games.
Wait…Haly…Did You Just…?
Did I what? Just world-build myself? Yes. Yes I did.
A pretty frequent concept in these articles is that world-building is all about choosing what details to include, in order to create a common vision.
So, let’s pretend that I’m prepping for an interview I having coming up this weekend, and I’ve been asked how I’d like to be introduced. Normally, if one has an agent or PR rep, then this will be sent along when the interview booking is made, because you’re making rounds to promote a thing that’s coming up.
Well, big shock, I don’t have an agent or PR rep. And I’m not making rounds to promote a thing. Which means that I have to dig through myself to figure out where all of the interesting and relevant points of my own life and background are.
Just. Like. World-building.
I’m trying to create a common vision of myself, between myself and strangers. The good news is that I know just as much about the strangers as I do about my audience. That is: I know what they’re interested in, and why their interest in that thing correlates to me.
Is that really much different from a plot?
No. Not really.
So Where Is This Going?
One of the things I see over and over again is authors talking about how weird and ridiculous it is to write a third-person bio-blurb about yourself. Especially if you come from a culture or tradition where it’s considered rude to talk about yourself! (Hello, Midwesterners! I see you! I am you!)
I figured that since I’m faced with the need to do so, I might as well share my thoughts on it with you. Perhaps approaching it from a world-building perspective and treating yourself like a character can help you get over that awkward author blurb-itis.
Has this been helpful? Do you dread writing your author blurbs? Do you have any formulas or tricks that help? Let me know in the comments!
Coming This Week:
#FictionFriday: It’s officially NovelEmber! If you’re looking to get out of the NaNo shade, World Anvil’s got your back! NovelEmber is a brand new, month-long challenge for EVERYONE hosted by World Anvil and taking place this November! Want more information? Get all the facts right here!
Saturday: Quick Six World-building prompts
Sunday: New Week, New Theme
Manic Monday: Celebrating the Theme
Twisted Tuesday: Subverting the Theme
#Worldbuilding Wednesday: A new edition of Ask the Bard and an almost definite return to streaming on Twitch. I don’t know what time, so make sure you’re following me with those notifications TURNED ON!
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!!
Did you say 300 games???? Wow!!!! How do you manage playing those games? Like do you have a schedule? Do you play every week? Do you have a game night and how do you choose which game to play?