Tag lines - the flash fiction of synopses
I recently launched my sixth deep fantasy novel The Third Moon. A few days previously, my excellent cover designer (and son) had been sitting on the couch beside me, creating the cover, when he'd asked what the tag line would be. I had completely forgotten about it, having patted myself on the back for finishing the final edit, and the front and back matter. I had to come up with something fast, and it had to be six words.
Why six words? Six words has become one of those immutable laws we creatives tend to impose on ourselves. The tag line for my first independently published book was six words, and it's almost become a part of my brand, along with the font and positioning of my name.
In fact, my first book, The Emerald Serpent, started life with no tag line at all. I only realised it should have one after it was live on Amazon. I noticed them on other books, but also curious forms of them, such as xxxx xxxx (the title) followed by the tag line 'A novel'. This seems to be more common with literary works, and seems redundant. After all, the thing is obviously not a house brick. It also seems like a missed opportunity.
One of the purposes of a tag line is to convey the emotional aspect of the story. I call tag lines 'the flash fiction of synopses' because, in a sense, they do what a synopsis does, but with even fewer words. And like a synopsis, they can be challenging to write.
My tag lines are all six words but even if I varied them, the cover design (and size) necessarily limits what I can say. I want my six words to have emotional impact, even before the reader has read the story, and even more when they understand the context. So, what have I used and why?
The Emerald Serpent: To survive, first you must Remember ...
While avoiding spoilers, the Eadar lost their memory of their old worlds of the Emerald and Serpent Ways when they innocently inter-married with Adam's folk. Their only way of surviving the Fada's murderous attacks is to Remember these worlds.
Heart Hunter: The impossible, is just the beginning ...
Fleet is set a quest where she must first pass impassable mountains, but her tribulations turn out to be far greater than that.
The Third Moon: Waking the future, Dreaming the past ...
Warrain carries his ancestors' memories of the Dreaming in his DNA, but also their murder and dispossession. To carve out a life for himself, he must integrate past and future.
Angel Caste Book 1: Angel Blood: Being divine, might not be enough ...
This focusses on Viv's discovery that being half angel, doesn't guarantee she'll find the mother she searches for.
Angel Caste Book 2: Angel Breath: To live, first you must die ...
Thris's certainties about what he must do to ascend are smashed to pieces, and he must abandon his previous thoughts and ideas, and start afresh.
Angel Caste Book 3: Angel Bone: The only way out is through ...
Ash finds himself on a spiritual journey he'd prefer not to take. As the dangers increase, he knows there's no turning back.
Angel Cast Book 4: Angel Bound: ??? This is what started me thinking about tag lines. I'm only 30% done with this book, but I've asked my cover designer to make a start, and that means I need a tag line, of ... Yes, you guessed it, six words. Wish me luck.
Why six words? Six words has become one of those immutable laws we creatives tend to impose on ourselves. The tag line for my first independently published book was six words, and it's almost become a part of my brand, along with the font and positioning of my name.
In fact, my first book, The Emerald Serpent, started life with no tag line at all. I only realised it should have one after it was live on Amazon. I noticed them on other books, but also curious forms of them, such as xxxx xxxx (the title) followed by the tag line 'A novel'. This seems to be more common with literary works, and seems redundant. After all, the thing is obviously not a house brick. It also seems like a missed opportunity.
One of the purposes of a tag line is to convey the emotional aspect of the story. I call tag lines 'the flash fiction of synopses' because, in a sense, they do what a synopsis does, but with even fewer words. And like a synopsis, they can be challenging to write.
My tag lines are all six words but even if I varied them, the cover design (and size) necessarily limits what I can say. I want my six words to have emotional impact, even before the reader has read the story, and even more when they understand the context. So, what have I used and why?
The Emerald Serpent: To survive, first you must Remember ...
While avoiding spoilers, the Eadar lost their memory of their old worlds of the Emerald and Serpent Ways when they innocently inter-married with Adam's folk. Their only way of surviving the Fada's murderous attacks is to Remember these worlds.
Heart Hunter: The impossible, is just the beginning ...
Fleet is set a quest where she must first pass impassable mountains, but her tribulations turn out to be far greater than that.
The Third Moon: Waking the future, Dreaming the past ...
Warrain carries his ancestors' memories of the Dreaming in his DNA, but also their murder and dispossession. To carve out a life for himself, he must integrate past and future.
Angel Caste Book 1: Angel Blood: Being divine, might not be enough ...
This focusses on Viv's discovery that being half angel, doesn't guarantee she'll find the mother she searches for.
Angel Caste Book 2: Angel Breath: To live, first you must die ...
Thris's certainties about what he must do to ascend are smashed to pieces, and he must abandon his previous thoughts and ideas, and start afresh.
Angel Caste Book 3: Angel Bone: The only way out is through ...
Ash finds himself on a spiritual journey he'd prefer not to take. As the dangers increase, he knows there's no turning back.
Angel Cast Book 4: Angel Bound: ??? This is what started me thinking about tag lines. I'm only 30% done with this book, but I've asked my cover designer to make a start, and that means I need a tag line, of ... Yes, you guessed it, six words. Wish me luck.
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