Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I need a tag line!

I've been thinking about this for some time. I need something that encapsulates what I write, will immediately communicate the type of stories I create, and will give a sense of the characters I form. Jayne Ann Krentz (at a workshop I attended at the RWA conference in DC) called it a writer's 'core story'. That so resonated with me, I think about it all the time. I've looked at so many websites and blogs lately that have fabulous tag lines. I wish I'd thought of many of them first! It makes me wonder how those writers came up with their tag lines - how they boiled down what they do to so few, but very powerful, words? I've already given myself enough objectives for January, so I'll be adding this goal to my February list - 'Create a tag line'. It has to be short. It needs to be original. It must be brilliant! Easier said than done, right?  

11 comments:

  1. Taglines are tough. I came up with mine, "what's more dangerous than falling in love?" because I write all over the board and needed something that would fit darker work, too. I figured the word dangerous implied not everything would always be sunshine and roses. ;) Probably as I go along I'll end up changing it, but I'm okay with it for the time being.

    Good luck with yours!

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  2. Hi Kaily -- think about three adjectives that describe your work, then go from there. Something catchy. Like Cari, I write all over the board, so I came up with "Heartwarming stories with heat." I wanted to convey that I write very hot, but that emotion is key in my work.

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  3. I'm with you Kaily! There are some tag lines out there that I love and wished I'd thought of first. I'm hoping I just wake up one day and it pops into my head... I can't wait to see yours :D

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  4. Oy! I know what you mean, Kaily! A tag line line has been very elusive for me. I love, love Diana Cosby's- Romance Edged With Danger- Ain't that a winner? So, I totally get what you mean! Where do they come up this stuff and how can I? lol

    Beautiful blog, BTW! :)

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  5. Some good advice all around here, Kaily. It isn't easy to come up with a good one that fits. I'm not sure mine does, but for now I'm keeping it because I don't have another, lol.

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  6. I don't really have one. I've got a line from an ee cummings poem I like on my blog and it seemed vague enough to be applied to anyone. Lol! Probably not a good way to get a tag line in many ways but I like it. :-)

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  7. Cari - yous is one that I love.
    Helen - great advice. I think I can nail it that way.
    Lacey, yeah I figure something will hit me at some stage (at least I hope)! It's the way my ideas usually happen. I'm doing something totally unrelated and BAM I have an idea.
    Sarah - Hi! I like that one too.
    Kaye - hopefully I'll settle on one that I like and think really communicates what I want about my stories. Thanks!
    Jackie - it's got to fit you too, right?

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  8. Much easier said than done. Maybe something will come to mind when you're not trying to think of it.

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  9. Yeah Debs, that's what I'm hoping for :)!

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  10. There are some excellent taglines out there. One I remember is "I'm the one your mother warned you about." That always makes me smile when I read it.

    As some of the others have mentioned, it's difficult to come up with a memorable tagline when you write in lots of different genres. Something generic isn't always memorable.

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  11. Shelly, I like that one! I agree you want it to be catchy, memorable. I've set myself a stressful task for February. Now, I have to deliver!

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