Novel Titles

Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by Charisma, Sep 10, 2007.

  1. Anna100

    Anna100 Active Member

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    I would probably pick up this book and read the back of it. :p
     
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  2. Spencer1990

    Spencer1990 Contributor Contributor

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    This made me think of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Which I bought because the title drew me in and the blurb finished the job.
     
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  3. editorjaneh

    editorjaneh New Member

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    Soulmates: Strings of Fate
     
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  4. Grub-r

    Grub-r Member

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    Fate Weaver

    Missed Connections

    The Unseen Puppeteer
     
  5. U.G. Ridley

    U.G. Ridley I'm a wizard, Hagrid

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    There Are No Strings On Me.

    I know thats too obvious but it made me laugh:D
     
  6. Rob40

    Rob40 Active Member

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    intertwined
     
  7. U.G. Ridley

    U.G. Ridley I'm a wizard, Hagrid

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    That one is good. You should pick that one. Picture the main character on your front cover tangled in the strings of people walking past her, with "Intertwined" in letters made of the same red strings. Brilliant, mate
     
  8. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

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    "No strings attached" sounds like it would work just fine for a more serious book. Personally, I think it's perfect.
     
  9. Siena

    Siena Senior Member

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    The Wacko Billionaire Who Became President.
     
  10. Caveriver

    Caveriver Active Member

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    I can think of many more YA (and TONS of children's) books that use a name in the title... Which leads me to think about styles od titles in genres. For instance, if I see a copy of War and Peace next to a copy of a Harry Potter novel, (without cover art for clues) I think I would still know which was meant for a younger audience. Let's say the book I see is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone... I think I have a better idea what this book might be about, as opposed to, say, Twilight. (Opinions on the stories within aside, please.) I still think "Twilight" is a title that makes many, many far-reaching assumptions on how it might/might not be symbolic to the story. Outlander, for example, is a simple title that makes perfect sense to me, having read the book, and doesn't make me think of any one genre (appropriate, in my opinion). On the other hand, traditional romance novels tend to have a certian ring to them (I don't have any good examples as I don't generally read those.)

    All this to say: are names in titles used more in certian genres than others, and shouldn't authors be carefully aware as to how this presents their work?
     
  11. Luke Scott

    Luke Scott Member

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    Actually, you are saying a great deal (to me, anyway).

    My titles are usually formulated by the context or content of the piece. My current WIP is a novel based on my wife's childhood. She was treated as an orphan although both parents were still alive. neither parent was fit to raise children and she ended up in a children's home for a majority of her childhood.
    The title to this story was obvious to me......"Finding Maggie".
     
  12. JessilynnLiddell

    JessilynnLiddell New Member

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    So I have the story laid out in my head, and I am currently starting to work on it. But it is for sure a different type of story. I have no title for it So I need Help!
    Here is the general premise;

    A princess named Jessamine (name may change) lives in the Kingdom of Cliffhall in Cliffhall Castle with her mother Queen Cordelia. Cordelia's husband Thebes had died, so she rules the Kingdom well. And she is well respected. However Jessamine is at an age where she must marry. As the rule of the kingdom demands it.
    The story Starts at this point-
    A husband has been found for Jessamine, Prince Callum of Woodhaven. He and his family are arriving to Cliffhall. However in meeting Prince Callum, she is simply not in love with him. Jessamine is one of those women who does need to be in love with the person before she is to marry them. However before the Woodhaven Royal Family arrives, Jessamine is taking a ride on the outskirts of Cliffhall. And meets a girl working her name is Colleen. Who was doing the very same, taking a ride on horseback. She drops down and quickly bows noticing that she is the princess. Jessamine walks over to her and assists her up and actually begins to crush on her.
    Jessamine likes her because she is a simpleton of a woman.
    Jessamine expresses her interest in pursing a relationship with Colleen, yet Queen Cordelia is very skeptical. And the Woodhaven Royal family is quite displeased. Callum is saddened. But Colleen has stricken her with love, showing the same affection and interest, and Jessamine is at a loss.
    So this is a story I want to pursue yes, because I admittedly like same sex love stories (womanXwoman). But this story needs a name, and I have a bit of writers block on the title >__<
    I do have the story started
     
  13. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

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    Hello @JessilynnLiddell (Welcome to the Forum)
    it might be too soon worry over your title. Keep on I say; as your story develops you'll get a feel for its personality + tone. Then bingo, one day a word or phrase that encapsulates it will jump out at you. You certainly seem creative enough, going on your synopsis. :)

    Themed tasks aside, I quite often have placeholders [untitled] till very late into a piece, or even afterwards. Also, when it comes, I can allow me a bit of self-satisfaction with the knowledge 'I came up with that'.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2017
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  14. JessilynnLiddell

    JessilynnLiddell New Member

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    I freaked, because normally I come up with the title either before or within the first few paragraphs of a story. And it's not like me to actually not have a title by now.
     
  15. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

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    Well that energy and urgency will come in handy...lend me some! :)

    There's a thread in prog. right now on your very subject here
     
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  16. Spencer1990

    Spencer1990 Contributor Contributor

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    I've read a lot of information that advises the other direction. Not to say this is wrong. Neither direction is right or wrong. I just thought I'd offer a conflicting point of view.

    The example that comes to mind is Blake Snyder in Save the Cat!. He says he will not even start a project until he has a logline/title. And they have to be good. He's talking about screenplays, but this strategy has helped me immensely in prose. Sometimes writing a killer logline has improved the direction of the story in ways that I might never have seen if I handled the title after. It's easier to change a story that's not written than it is to go back and change a story because I missed an opportunity that a logline and title could have helped me see.
     
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  17. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Maybe the trick is whether or not you need this 'logline' to get started. If you do ...then work at coming up with a good one. If your story unfolds without one, however, I'd say don't hold yourself back frantically searching for one. Just keep going.
     
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  18. Spencer1990

    Spencer1990 Contributor Contributor

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    I love that there is no one way to do things. I love to hear conflicting viewpoints when it comes to these matters. I've found some tricks that work wonders for me just through trial and error. I've also found a ton of tricks that do absolutely nothing to help me develop/write a story. (I'm looking at you Character Sheets :mad:)
     
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  19. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

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    @Spencer1990 Yeah, I get you there—some rails to ride along, wag the dog. I'd put that in the 'themed tasks' I mentioned as a caveat (Save the Caveat! :) ). Just felt Jess had a fair idea of her story already.
     
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  20. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

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    Frustrating now, but at least it's a progression eh (through trial and error). You've got that particular one out of the way at 26, already quite accomplished Spencer—future's bright and long.
     
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  21. Laurin Kelly

    Laurin Kelly Contributor Contributor

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    Agree with this wholeheartedly. Personally, I have to have not only a title but a summary/blurb before I can start writing, but I know other authors who think I do things totally backwards. I even like to visualize cover are and sometimes mock it up myself - I find it helps me get in touch with the overall vibe of the story I want to write.
     
  22. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    So basically its "frozen" with lesbianism ? Sorry if that sounded harsh but I was reading the premise and trying to work out how you'd write it while avoiding a massive cliche pile up. Also I don't think you mean 'simpleton' which means someone retarded as that would be an unusual basis for love - I assume you mean that shes a woman of simple tastes, without the pretense found in the royal court

    Title wise as others have said you could go with a placeholder for now. Or you could go with a one word title that sums up the title "Unrequited" like that, or you could look up famous quotes that deal with the same issues and pick a line that works , or you could try for imagery (like "snow falling on cedars" ) lots of options - but you dont absolutely need one to start with, just pick a word to file it under for your own convenience like "Jess's story"
     
  23. PrettyLittleBryan

    PrettyLittleBryan New Member

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    Wasn't sure which category this would fit so I thought "General" was the best bet!

    Anyway... How do you choose your title? Do you find it easier to come up with the title first then write, or wait until a title comes up while writing?.

    My book is about a guy who is constantly pushed to the sidelines but eventually snaps and let's everyone know exactly how they have been treating him. He also suffers with Depression and looks after his elderly parents

    So I've got two titles in mind.

    "The Forgotten One"

    and

    "Break The Silence".

    I think I much prefer the latter as I feel it's vague but not so much that it seems generic?
     
  24. Caveriver

    Caveriver Active Member

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    As the two choices go, I like the second better.
     
  25. Anna100

    Anna100 Active Member

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    I usually come up with the title first. My titles are most of the time quite simple and straightforward, though, and I don't put too much thought into it. Unless, I'm going to publish something, then I would probably be thinking about it twice (or thrice).
    I prefer "Break the silence" too, btw. :)
     

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