Sorry didn’t finish my comment! Herman Wouk’s titles probably shouldn’t have work but did. His ability to bring a character to life was extraordinary. His titles were generally short. Some descriptive, some not. So I think it’s luck and magic. And go with your gut.
Titling is an unacknowledged burden for book writers! I decided a while back to sharpen my skills in this area by titling my chapters, which helps us identify the central idea we're trying to punchily capture.
Sometimes, the title reveals itself after you've done a lot of work, because there's a difference between what you thought was coming and what actually does. I've found more than once that the epiphany of what the story actually is accompanies a revelation of its title. Goddess from the Machine didn't reveal itself until I was about halfway done with it. Ghost in the Autumn Vale had about 3 different previous titles.
When I realize what the whole thing is about, that's when the title hits.
Hehehe, great post. I love the Titling Services. The first title for Awen Rising was "Blessed are the Peacemakers." That was waaaaay too long and didn't really fit the genre. Then one day, I ran across the chapter title, Awen Rising, as I was reading through my Table of Contents to make sure it flowed. (If y'all aren't doing that, do.) And I thought, "Wow. Awen Rising. Simple. Easy to say, easy to convey. And summarizes the book in two words." From that flowed the titles of Books 2 & 3 in the trilogy—Awen Storm and Awen Tide, both of which encapsulate the books' essence.
Crossed, Cursed, & Nearly Dead, the title of the spin-off series and the first book therein, kinda snuck up on me because each word describes one of the three main characters. I liked it, ran it by others who liked it, and ran with it. As for titling posts, stories, etc. Same. Just sheer luck. Or maybe sheer genius. Who knows.
Your titles are great! My current WIP is titled Revenant Gambit, with Revenant Void and Revenant Apostate for books 2 and 3. Took me awhile to get there, but I'm happy with them.
Ooo great titles! There's a beautiful thing that happens when the right one comes, be it title, word, sentence, blurb, etc.—we don't give it thought anymore. It just is. Ahhhh. Congratulations on getting there!
Thanks Olivia! You are right abotu being able to relax about it when you find the right one. Good luck with your push to grow your followers! I'm cheering!
loved this article. titling is impossible, and I definitely get to attached to certain ideas too, especially if its been my working title for years. believe it or not, one of my books actually is keeping my original first line. It popped into my head and it stuck, and I feel like its pretty good. still, the hardcore editing for that book has yet to begin, so that might change!
This was good! I feel the pain. Luckily, for once, My current book had a title as I dreamed it, before I wrote more than one page. I also confess; I do judge books by the covers.
That’s pretty cool that you have the title right from the git go. I already have the cover art for my trilogy done. Unless I end up selling it traditionally, then it will likely be a negotiation. I was all set to do a self pub, but it feels liek ti might be something I can get on the shelves. Who knows.
I do want the Title Fight. I have no titling advice, but I have read off all Herman Wouk’s books many, many times. Youngblood Hawke
Sorry didn’t finish my comment! Herman Wouk’s titles probably shouldn’t have work but did. His ability to bring a character to life was extraordinary. His titles were generally short. Some descriptive, some not. So I think it’s luck and magic. And go with your gut.
Titling is an unacknowledged burden for book writers! I decided a while back to sharpen my skills in this area by titling my chapters, which helps us identify the central idea we're trying to punchily capture.
Sometimes, the title reveals itself after you've done a lot of work, because there's a difference between what you thought was coming and what actually does. I've found more than once that the epiphany of what the story actually is accompanies a revelation of its title. Goddess from the Machine didn't reveal itself until I was about halfway done with it. Ghost in the Autumn Vale had about 3 different previous titles.
When I realize what the whole thing is about, that's when the title hits.
DRM
Hehehe, great post. I love the Titling Services. The first title for Awen Rising was "Blessed are the Peacemakers." That was waaaaay too long and didn't really fit the genre. Then one day, I ran across the chapter title, Awen Rising, as I was reading through my Table of Contents to make sure it flowed. (If y'all aren't doing that, do.) And I thought, "Wow. Awen Rising. Simple. Easy to say, easy to convey. And summarizes the book in two words." From that flowed the titles of Books 2 & 3 in the trilogy—Awen Storm and Awen Tide, both of which encapsulate the books' essence.
Crossed, Cursed, & Nearly Dead, the title of the spin-off series and the first book therein, kinda snuck up on me because each word describes one of the three main characters. I liked it, ran it by others who liked it, and ran with it. As for titling posts, stories, etc. Same. Just sheer luck. Or maybe sheer genius. Who knows.
Other than that, I have no wisdom.
Your titles are great! My current WIP is titled Revenant Gambit, with Revenant Void and Revenant Apostate for books 2 and 3. Took me awhile to get there, but I'm happy with them.
Ooo great titles! There's a beautiful thing that happens when the right one comes, be it title, word, sentence, blurb, etc.—we don't give it thought anymore. It just is. Ahhhh. Congratulations on getting there!
Thanks Olivia! You are right abotu being able to relax about it when you find the right one. Good luck with your push to grow your followers! I'm cheering!
Thank you, H!!! That means a lot!🎉
I've tended to start with grand titles that get simplified as the book develops and the single core point or striking feature coheres.
Now, titling my dissertation was a nightmare. What is precise but also doesn't make the eyes glaze over?
Great 🙏 😂... Have a good weekend!
Thanks Marisa! You too!
loved this article. titling is impossible, and I definitely get to attached to certain ideas too, especially if its been my working title for years. believe it or not, one of my books actually is keeping my original first line. It popped into my head and it stuck, and I feel like its pretty good. still, the hardcore editing for that book has yet to begin, so that might change!
This was good! I feel the pain. Luckily, for once, My current book had a title as I dreamed it, before I wrote more than one page. I also confess; I do judge books by the covers.
yes! I do too. The cover is so important.
That’s pretty cool that you have the title right from the git go. I already have the cover art for my trilogy done. Unless I end up selling it traditionally, then it will likely be a negotiation. I was all set to do a self pub, but it feels liek ti might be something I can get on the shelves. Who knows.