DYING FOR A TITLE
I love making up book titles. Don’t you? But I have a feeling most authors don’t come up with a title first and then devise the plot!
DYING FOR A DATE was an easy choice for the first book in my Laurel McKay Mystery series. My single soccer mom was struggling to juggle her kids, a career and post-divorce dating. As a single working mom myself, I had plenty of stories to share. People frequently ask how much of DYING FOR A DATE is based on reality. My answer –– fifty percent memoir and fifty percent fiction. But I’m not sharing which is which.
Although no one has died on my watch. Yet!
Since I’d taken up ballroom dancing as a hobby, the sequel, DYING FOR A DANCE, was also an easy choice. Once I discovered the sleazy underbelly of competitive ballroom dancing, the book practically wrote itself. Picture MURDER SHE WROTE meets DANCING WITH THE STARS.
By the third book, I needed a vacation. I flew to Hawaii and dragged my protagonist along with me. Then I discovered there is no letter “D” in the Hawaiian alphabet. Luckily, for me, the restaurants and bars all serve delicious daiquiris on their menu. I readily admit DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI was the most fun to research.
I love accessorizing my outfits with a matching tropical drink!
My current WIP (work in process), DYING FOR A DUDE, brings the action back to the gold country during Hangtown’s Wagon Train week. I’m still plotting organically (AKA writing by the seat of my pants) and have no idea what will happen to Laurel and her gang. The only thing I know, for certain, is that a stagecoach chase scene is bound to show up somewhere in the book.
I’ve learned that a writer’s work is never done. While I’m plotting DYING FOR A DUDE, I also need to plan ahead for the next book in the series which will be DYING FOR A …
Hmmm. It looks like I’m short a title or two.
So that’s where you all come in. It’s time to vote for the perfect title for the fifth book in the Laurel McKay Mysteries. Here are my top choices:
The Apple Hill farms are dying for me to write DYING FOR A DONUT, and I’ve always wanted to powder sugar someone to death.
How about murder at the Golden Hills spa owned by Laurel’s best friend, Liz? We could call it DYING FOR A DIET. Or after a rigorous workout, Laurel might prefer…
DYING FOR A DESSERT!
A few people have previously requested DYING FOR A DIAMOND? Would that mean the romance between Laurel and Tom Hunter is heating up? 
Or IS she still DYING FOR A DETECTIVE?
It’s your turn now. If you choose one of the titles above, or comment with one of your own by midnight, April 1, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card anywhere you choose.
Also, feel free to leave a plot concept or two. If it gets incorporated into one of my books, you’ll definitely be acknowledged. You may even play a part yourself!
To celebrate this terrific contest, the DYING FOR A DATE e-book is now on sale for the first time ever at the unbelievably low price of .99. The sale goes through March 25th so be sure to tell all of your friends. And even the people you don’t like. I’m sure they could use the laughs too!
The post DYING FOR A TITLE appeared first on Cindy Sample.
