Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Best Title Ever!
One of the most challenging, most difficult, most unheralded job of a writer (and her editor) is to select the proper title. As a writer, you can work on the entire book knowing that whatever you call is not likely what it will be when it goes to press. Which is why, for the most part, we nickname them.
Sometimes we call it by acronyms: WIP (Work In Progress), MS (ManuScript) or some creative version, like BOYH (Book Of Your Heart) or even BFH (Book From Hell).
Sometimes we give them nicknames, like acronyms of the very important title we created: Like "TOTGA" for "The One That Got Away".
And then, there are folks like me, who are just as likely to call their MSs something simple, like "Bob". (We call the book by the name of a protagonist. My books, so far, are Burke, Sky, Raven, Tara, Vetta, Ethan, Randa, David and Raul.
But eventually, the day comes when we have to come up with the perfect title that describes our book's tone, sensuality, humor level and theme in a couple of words. And you know what? That's even harder than it sounds.
This weekend, I faced such a challenge and in my typical way, I moaned, groaned, complained and basically tormented my critique partners so that they could come up with something because let me tell you, I couldn't. I whined in every way possible and finally, after three days, have come up with a title that my editor liked and that I wanted and that fits my sexy firefighter seducing his way back into the heart of the girl he left behind: "Burn For Me".
This makes me a very happy Dee.
But, of course, as I spent the whole weekend thinking about titles and what the best one would be, I started wondering what exactly makes a title work for readers. A lot of times, I hear readers don't really remember them, they remember the cover or the author. But there's some really classic titles out there. Like "A Tale of Two Cities", which I've never read, but the title is brilliant. Or "Pride and Predjudice". What about modern classic titles, of movies and books? Like "Schindler's List" or "The Man With Two Brains"? Evocative titles that draw you in.
So, today's post is more of a curiosity. What is the best title--of ANYTHING--that you've ever seen? What made it work for you? Or does a title not come into your consideration at all?
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Yay!
So glad you found it. :)
Titles can be the best and worst part of the book, agreed. Best when you find the right one easily, worst when nothing fits. Have been in both spots, as most of us have.
I like your bit on ms nicknaming though -- I hadn't quite thought of that but it's true, we do nickname them. I tend to go with one character or the dominant trait of the book, so upcoming books were, before their titles, "the Texas Ranger Blaze" or "the costume Blaze" "the Genie Blaze" and "the icing book" Sometimes with a character name -- my mystery attempts so far are both named after their protagonists, even though they have titles.
I like witty titles that still tell me something about the book I am buying -- I hate a misleading title -- something that suggests, for instance, light and funny when the book is neither light nor funny.
I don't know if I have a favorite title ever...have to think...
Sam
Quantam of Solace
I thought was a hell of a title, even without having seen the movie and I think it definitely applies to what you mentioned, a witty title that reflects a character or dominant feature.
That said, lol, I can't quite think if I have a favorite either. "Hope Floats", maybe?
Titles
Dee, having gone through dozens of titles for my last book without coming up with even one that my editor liked, I can appreciate how very difficult it is to create a title that is both meaningful and evocative.
I really love the short story title "The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell. It had significant meaning on several different levels and remains one of my favorite reads. Another favorite is "All Over You," which (if my memory doesn't fail me) was a Blaze title for one of Sarah Mayberry's books.
Don't Laugh, but...
"All Over You" makes me think of that line in the movie "Anchorman", when Ron Burgundy tells his soon to be true love, "I want to be on you." Every now and then, when hubby just wants to make me laugh like a hyena, he'll lean over and do a shockingly good Ron Burgundy impression of it.
Things like that, titles that trigger, those are the best.
a couple of my faves
are by author Carol Goodman "The Lake of Dead Languages", "The Seduction of Water", and then she got away from the water theme with "The Ghost Orchid".
I also like the title "Tully" a book from Paullina Simons. Very simple. A friend has a dog by that name - I think of the book each time he mentions the dog.
Okay...
I officially want the part of Carol Goodman's mind that comes up with titles. Those are AWESOME!
Titles
I'm one of those who can't even remember the title of the last book I read but I sure can tell you what the book is about. So I guess I fall in the "who cares what the title is" category.
LOL Ellen
There's several that fall into my brain that way. But every now and then, there's one that sticks. :)
Titles
I don't really have a favorite title that comes to mind, but I do prefer to the point or classy titles to something quirky, sleazy or cliché. Some book titles bring a song to mind: Born to Run, All Night Long, for instance. Some immediately bring visual images: A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Blue Smoke, Into the Wild or Northern Lights, and others immediately make you think of someone you may know or have met: Natural Born Charmer, Slightly Shady.
I like when series titles stay the same or similar, but it doesn't affect my purchase decision. A really bad title might influence my decision, but not if it's a proven author.
Titles must be very hard to write and along the lines of writing headlines, which I did not like when I worked for a newspaper. My nephew, a former sports editor, was excellent at headline writing.
Do all of you write your own titles or do you have to use suggestions from your editors or publishing houses?
Journalism
Hey Betty, I loved titling the technical magazine articles I used to edit - I could come up with titles, heds, ledes, etc with no problem.
I have actually titled all but two of my own books, too, but those are much harder for whatever reason. *G*
With Harlequin, you can title your own book, as long as they like your title -- if they don't, they will usually ask you for a list of alternate titles, and if they don't like any of those, they will usually put a title on it that they like. I am not a fan of that -- in all honesty, though I appreciate my editors very much, I never liked the titles they chose for Hide and Seek, which had nothing to do with the book at all, and Talking in Your Sleep, which was so un-Christmassy I didn't like it, since it was a Christmas book. But I try very hard to come up with good titles for this reason; I really like titling my own work if I can.
Sam
Like Sam...
I've written all my titles, but as was the case with this one, I had to come up with a list when my original title didn't work out. Though, I will say, this book takes the cake as the hardest to title ever. :)
I'm trying to think...you know, "Hotel For Dogs" made me immediately NOT want to watch that movie. Oh, and any kid movie with a number behind it, like "Air Bud", lol.
I know, I'm a snob.
Dee
Yes!
Ok, so my mind is... any time there are questions I forget. But I do think there are titles that are brilliant. I like "Bet Me" - and/but... there are some titles that get me, make me look twice, and consider reading a book I wouldn't have otherwise. :)
"Wicked" - I've never read, but I LOVE the sound track (haven't seen the musical either).
Dee--I love your title! I
Dee--I love your title! I also call my manuscripts by the character's name. Right now I'm working on Jodie. I just finished Libby. I turned that one in with the title "Libby's Story". I figured why not?
Titles I like--The Year of Living Dangerously; Of Human Bondage; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; Requiem for a Heavyweight; The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Yay!
Just wanted to say hooray for finding a perfect title! I think I tend to fall into the "huh? what was the title?" category, but it's true that a good one can grab your attention :) For instance, this blog's really sticks with you--nothing like an unusual mental image to work the memory!
I LOVE Burn for Me.
Great title. I'd buy it. Love the double entendre. I love my titles, but my editors always hate them...so we have to come up with something new. I was surprised when I started writing that titles can't be copyrighted. I could call my next book "Tale of Two Citites" or "War and Peace" or, say...."Burn for Me."
Hmmm....
(Just kidding!)
The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury comes to mind. Walking In Circles Before Lying Down, I haven't read it but the title makes me want to at some point. I like a title that has meaning to the book or movie. That is what draws me in initially, esp. with new to me authors.
I love thinking up titles, nicknames, and the like. It must be difficult when you have a deadline. The pressure would not be good for the creative juices.
Right now I'm reading The Time Travelers Wife. I picked up the book because of the title and found out it was about time travel. I love time travel stories.
Is it easier to name someone else's book?
How do you get your ideas for titles? From the books content, characters, setting?
Burn for Me is a great name for a book. It may not be flashy, probably has been used before, but it will catch attention.
Is it bad...
that ever since I read your post, all I could think of is Snakes on a Plane?
I mean, seriously, think about it. I never even saw the movie, and yet it's stuck in my head, I get all the jokes about it when I see them, and it sums up the movie, content, tone, and everything, perfectly. Tickles me every time I think about it. I love the title even if I never saw the movie, LOL.
The whole series titling thing is interesting to me -- for instance, mystery series are all titled thematically, A is for Alibi, the In Death books, the coffee house books, the Charlaine Harris series... This is supposed to contribute to reader memory, recognition, but to be perfectly honest, I find it completely confusing. I remember the series, but I can never tell one book from the other -- I know I liked the book where Eric gets amnesia, but I can't tell you if it was Living Dead in Dallas or Dead Until Dark... it all is one big blur, like the books have nothing to make each one distinct.
I much prefer a titling method like Lisa Scottoline, who titles her books according to the story. With books like Lisa's, even though they are a loose series around connected characters, I can remember what happened in LADY KILLER vs DIRTY BLONDE.
So, you know, sometimes I wonder about the wisdom of those series titling strategies...
Sam
Titles
Nay, titles really dont come into grabbing me too much. It is the cover and back blurb, and a favorite author that does it.