How to choose a book title
Hello Everyone,
This is my first blog post. I'd been considering starting one, but I'm relatively new to social media and have been taking things slowly.
However, after I posted this morning about my free ebook weekend starting today, someone asked me a question regarding how I chose my book title. I answered her, and then thought it might be a useful topic to start a blog with, so here it is for anyone else who might be interested.
Calling the book 'Fairytales Don't Come True' was a rather last-minute thing, really. I'd written it under another title, and re-written after being rejected by a couple of publishers. I was trying for a 21st century working of 'The Harlot's Progress' pictures by Hogarth, but when I'd re-worked it I realised that I'd put in quite a few fairytale references and, by introducing the character of Dora, written it in an old oral-storytelling style such as was in 'The 1001 Nights', before the frame-story between the tales was removed (it's still there, between the tales of Sindbad the Sailor and Sindbad the Porter in certain editions). I also realised that Mags and Dora are Snow White and Rose Red, although 'Snow White' here is a 'scarlet woman', while 'Rose Red' is too 'pure and white' for her own good. So the 'Fairytale' title suddenly seemed blindingly obvious, given that for storyteller Mags it didn't come true.
So that's mine; I'd be interested to hear about yours.
All the best,
Laura
This is my first blog post. I'd been considering starting one, but I'm relatively new to social media and have been taking things slowly.
However, after I posted this morning about my free ebook weekend starting today, someone asked me a question regarding how I chose my book title. I answered her, and then thought it might be a useful topic to start a blog with, so here it is for anyone else who might be interested.
Calling the book 'Fairytales Don't Come True' was a rather last-minute thing, really. I'd written it under another title, and re-written after being rejected by a couple of publishers. I was trying for a 21st century working of 'The Harlot's Progress' pictures by Hogarth, but when I'd re-worked it I realised that I'd put in quite a few fairytale references and, by introducing the character of Dora, written it in an old oral-storytelling style such as was in 'The 1001 Nights', before the frame-story between the tales was removed (it's still there, between the tales of Sindbad the Sailor and Sindbad the Porter in certain editions). I also realised that Mags and Dora are Snow White and Rose Red, although 'Snow White' here is a 'scarlet woman', while 'Rose Red' is too 'pure and white' for her own good. So the 'Fairytale' title suddenly seemed blindingly obvious, given that for storyteller Mags it didn't come true.
So that's mine; I'd be interested to hear about yours.
All the best,
Laura
date
newest »
newest »
Hi Diane,I agree with you, everyone has their own way of doing it and if you've a gift for finding them then go with it.
I remember reading that John Steinbeck's wife had a gift for choosing titles, which she applied to his books, as in 'The Grapes of Wrath'; what a title, and what a book!
In the past I've been very good at thinking up titles; the problem then is writing a book to go with them!
We do the best we can!
Laura
Wow, titles are tough, and then when I come up with a good one (in my opinion) they are taken. Had a few working titles and came up with one to publish that I liked. Even when they don't seem to be taken once published a book with almost the exact same title sits on the same page on Amazon. I have a title for the next one we'll see if it is the published title or just the working title.Secrets and Silence Belynda Wilson Thomas
Belynda wrote: "Wow, titles are tough, and then when I come up with a good one (in my opinion) they are taken. Had a few working titles and came up with one to publish that I liked. Even when they don't seem to be..."Hi Belynda, Thanks for your comment, with which I totally agree. I'm working on a book at present, thought of a good title and found today that there's a book with that title already in existence, in the same genre even. So I came up with another one, not as good but I'm hoping it hasn't been used yet. I guess I'll search for it on Amazon and see if anything comes up, Good luck with yours, best wishes, Laura
Glad to hear you are venturing into the blogging world.
How do I choose my book titles, good question? Maybe I am a little crazy but they choose me……….
In my opinion, everyone has a different idea on how to create, select, or come up with their titles. In my case, the idea for a story is often born during quiet times but mostly as I am writing one of my current books.
As for myself the idea for the story also spawns a title and I run with it. So far choosing Angel Spirit of Retribution for my first novel and Mysterious Visions of The Mind’s Eye for the second were undoubtedly the right titles from the beginning. The third novel already has its title and that one as well will stay as-is.
Call it kismet but who am I to challenge a gift.....D.R.