I went away for the weekend–to Klipsan Beach–to find a title for my new book. My ever-wise editor wants it to reflect a) a sense of place and b) a feeling of escape. So I escaped to a place with a strong sense of place and I’m waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration. You’d think after 30 books, I’d know better.
The book will be published in February 2008. It’s another of the “Lakeshore Chronicles” books about the made-up Catskills town of Avalon.
How do you find the right title for a book?
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February 23, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Curtis McMinn
I am working on my first book right now. I am not very informed about the process of writing a book - so I am just winging it! I lack the creativity to write stories and tip my hat to you having written so many books. My title came from a story I am very fond of and one that is the basis for my book. It’s called: “The People at The Well”
February 23, 2007 at 6:20 pm
susanwiggs
Curtis, I would classify this as a strong title. It has a rhythm and concrete images. It piques my interest. This gets a thumbs up from me. Go for it!
February 23, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Rahul
‘Footsteps past the oblivian……..’ ??
February 23, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Dave
So.. what’s the motivation behind titling your book? You’ve got Catskills, and Avalon as a place… and a feeling of escape… beyond something like Escape from Avalon.. what are you trying to say? I usually books and poems based on a small detail of what might be in the book.. also, something that catches attention.
Examples:
Soggy Tuna on Rye (a title of a coming to age story… remembering soggy tuna sandwiches is part of the plot)
Dreamweaver (chapters consisted of dreams)
Mysteries of Ithaca (another coming of age taking place in Ithaca, NY)
I don’t think I’m being much help… Titles can draw reader’s to the book.. so I almost like the ambiguity of them… just my opinion
February 24, 2007 at 5:48 pm
susanwiggs
Dave, this is the key question, isn’t it? (”What are you trying to say?”
Most market studies of commercial fiction (which is what I write) indicate that you have about a second to capture the attention of someone browsing the book racks. This seems shockingly inadequate, except that the human eye and brain can take in a lot of info in a single second. If the book has the right package - cover art, title, overall “look” - the right reader will “recognize” it. She’ll say, “Oh! My kind of book!” Look at Patricia Wood’s first novel - see http://pkwood.blogspot.com/ and notice how you can instantly grasp the essence of this book. (I can, anyway). That’s a great title/cover combination. That’s what I’m trying to find for WOEFULLY UNTITLED which is today’s name for the book.
I like your titles, too. “Ithaca” is one of those words that is just fun to pronounce. Or maybe it’s just me.
February 24, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Patricia Wood
Hey I love that! “Woefully untitled!” Thanks so much for commenting on my blog and thanks for the props re: my book.
NOTE TO SELF: must stop using ellipses as copyeditor hates them and takes them out every time!
I want you to know I am NOT organized…I just have no choice as I live on a boat.
Yeah titles are interesting animals.
I usually start with a working title and in the process of writing — a better one will emerge. Ironically Lottery was the working title that I initially didn’t much care for — until I noticed that every time someone saw a bound titled copy of my draft they were compelled to pick it up and glance at it. hmmm, I thought. Maybe there’s something there.
(I too love Ithaca — one of my earlier novels uses it as inspiration– we have seen more than one sailboat named Ithaca…
February 25, 2007 at 2:37 pm
miladyinsanity
I start without title. I have a bad feeling I’m going to end without title too.
February 25, 2007 at 4:13 pm
susanwiggs
I often start without a title, but I fill in something in the ms. header. Sometimes, the placeholder title sticks. Examples - SUMMER BY THE SEA, LAKESIDE COTTAGE. The header of this book says “LAKE EFFECT” which I love but my publisher doesn’t. Dither, dither.
February 26, 2007 at 2:21 am
Wendy Roberts
I’m truly title challenged. The ones I manage to come up with on my own are quite awful so I usually throw some ideas out there and hope my writing friends can help.
Good luck with your hunt for the perfect title!
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