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FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE TITLE OF YOUR NOVEL

3/13/2010

6 Comments

 
So, how long did it take you to come up with a title for your novel? Did you have the name first, then write the book ... or did the name come to you in a flash when you hit a particularly significant point in the story? Or, like me, were you still torturing yourself to come up with something absolutely breathtaking, something that would look eye-popping in text on the book cover, long after you typed out THE END? I don't know about you, but I found the creation of a title even more grueling than writing the novel itself. On the other hand, when that perfect word or phrase finally breaks free of that conglomeration of possible titles swirling around in your head, isn't it amazingly satisfying? All that work, all those long, solitary hours spent tap-tap-tapping at the keyboard or scribbling on a notepad -- fingers getting stiff, back starting to ache -- have now coalesced into this one brilliant (oh yes, at that moment, you're sure it's brilliant) image that shines like colorful neon in your head, and will surely do the same on a book cover in the near future. Hot damn! Your "baby" now has a name, an identity.

And then, weeks later, months later, even years later if the journey to getting published takes many less-than-successful roads, does the title still feel right, does it fit your novel like a child's name fits him or her? Ooooh, lucky you. I've written two novels, and started a third, but only one is thisclose to being ready to self-publish, and I love the name as much now as I did at the very moment it struck me like a thunderbolt, more years ago than I care to think about. That sounds great, right? The name  must be absolutely perfect, to still have a warm & fuzzy place in my heart after all this time. I thought so, too. Until maybe a week ago when I started working on a blog post about the only *BIG* rejection I ever received -- a couple of short letters I received from the head of a major literary agency (Yes, the head and founder of the agency, woohoo!). I decided against posting it -- didn't even quite finish it, in fact -- because it was turning too personal and too long and I wasn't sure how much detail I wanted to go into, or exactly where it was going. But I started that post because I came across the old letters themselves, and reread them. Ok, reread them about 147 times. They're still as thrilling and confusing and depressing and thrilling again as they were when I first opened the envelopes. And there it was, in black and white, my novel's TITLE, being mentioned by Mr. Cool-Head-Of-An-Agency. And the realization hit me: I gotta change that title.

Aghhhh!!

I still love it. LOVE IT. Every thought I've had about my novel over the months and years have had that name imprinted on it in big, bold letters in my head. That book is my "baby," and that's her name. It's hers. It's perfect. It's ...

Completely wrong.

Seeing the title printed in that letter made me, for the first time, truly see it as it would be printed on a book cover, but this time I saw it through the eyes of someone else -- someone standing in a bookstore, scanning covers, trying to decide what to buy. And if they don't like westerns, I'm screwed. No, I did not write a western. It's a crime/thriller set in modern-day, in a small town. But for the first time, I realized that the title SOUNDS like a western. Images popped into my head of bronco-busting and cattle drives and saddles. Need I mention that my novel contains none of those things?

Oh yeah, gotta change that title. I need something modern, suspenseful, dark & foreboding, exhilarating, crime-thrillerish ... 

Wish me luck.
6 Comments
Crystal Jigsaw link
3/13/2010 03:51:30 am

Enjoyed your post very much. I have just finished a paranormal novel and have thought long and hard about titles. Then it suddenly came to me last week what that title should be. And it sounded perfect. And now I'm not so sure.

Bugger!

CJ xx
p.s. found you via Twitter x

Reply
Nikki Barnabee link
3/14/2010 10:44:38 am

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed the post. Congratulations on completing your novel! Paranormal -- how cool. And such a unique genre that your title might very well be perfect for it, so I hope you give it some more time before tossing it. Unless it really sounds like something it isn't (such as "Bikini Babes" or "Here Comes The Easter Bunny" or "Golfing For Dummies" LOL), maybe you were right about it in the first place. Does the title sound like it would entice you, as a reader, to pick up the book and look inside the cover? I'm thinking that's half the battle ;-}

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Cecilia Dominic link
3/15/2010 07:19:27 am

Nikki, your blog is hysterical! Yeah, I've been told the title of my novel Wolfsbane Manor needs to be changed, but not by anyone professional, and I've also heard from just as many people that they love it. From what I hear, the final judgment comes from the editor of the publishing house if you go the traditional route, so best not to be too attached. Self-pubbing? Go for it!

CD

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Jonella Beauty link
3/15/2010 09:15:31 am

Great post! I usually comes up with a title when the novel is almost done...Most of the time, I goes through two or three titles before choosing the right one, and it ends up being the perfect novel title. My publishing consultant still wonders where I get my titles from --> they must be catchy, and to the point...I've being naming all of my novels for a while, so I've got the hang of it now...Let the title explain the plot of your entire novel, and be the person to make the final decision about the name for your own novel, lol!

Jonella Beauty :)

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Nikki link
4/17/2010 03:44:01 pm

Cecelia,

Sorry I took so long to respond. I really need to get better at that ;-{
Don't go by me, but I love the title WOLFSBANE MANOR. Sounds like a spooky place to visit. I can picture foggy nights, secretive people walking the manor's corridors, and big teeth doing nasty things ... Of course, I'm probably completely off LOL. But I know I'd pick up a book with that title on the cover :-}

Reply
Nikki link
4/17/2010 03:48:43 pm

Jonella,

Sounds like you have a knack for creating titles! That's a talent in itself :-}

Reply



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    _East-coaster, writer of horror, sci-fi, and other genres. I knew that creepy childhood would come in handy someday. These days, life is covered in cat fur. Contact me at: GargoylePhanNB@gmail.com

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