Landing on your title--How do you feel about this one?

[Cynthia]

Dear friends, I've been market testing various titles, and have come upon TORCH LILIES for my memoir. Does it speak to you? I'd love to know your thoughts about it. The primary title is taken from one of the book chapters. Here is the full title:

TORCH LILIES: a love story & quest to heal my Mennonite roots

thanks so much in advance!

[Christina]

I had to look up Torch lillies to see what they were and now I want to grow them. They remind me of astro-pops from my childhood, so I'm guessing that isn't what you had in mind.
Looking at it in context with the subtitle, I'm going to make the assumption that the imagery you were looking for was more flame/bloom/passion, is that right? If so, yes, that could work, provided your audience is not as florally-challenged as I am. ;)

[Green]

The real question is....does Torch Lilies speak to you? When it means something to you, then you can back it....I like it, but it needs to be you who embraces it.

[Cynthia]

Thanks, Christina and Green. Torch Lilies do speak to my story & to me--my grandmother grew them in her garden; and she plays a large role in my book. And yes, they are the rocket looking flowers!! : D.

[Green]

Sounds like you got the title!! Best of luck!!!

[Cynthia]

Thanks, Green!

[Hayden]

Hi Cynthia, I had to google them as well but they are lovely. Are you going to incorporate them into the cover? Because I reeeeaaly think you should.

[Melanie]

Hi Cynthia

I too had to check these flowers out. In the UK they are known as Red Hot Pokers - not perhaps such a romantic association!

[Cynthia]

Hi all, thanks for those suggestions & nice image VM. I am wondering if it's sounding too "nice". The story also involves a huge level of despair & going back to my roots to get myself "well" again. I'm now considering closer descriptions like "Tortured Crazy Romance: a Mennonite past meets a New York future” Any thoughts on the direction?

[Iffix]

The name is so awesome sounding. But I would highly recommend a subtitle of some sort for the book itself. The first thing that pops into my mind when I hear the title is Fantasy novel.

[Iffix]

Regarding message 10, Tortured Crazy Romance doesn't sound like the right title, unless you're writing Erotica. I think you were doing much better with Torch Lillies.

[Iffix]

Nice! Way better.

[Katherine]

It speaks to me I like it a lot. Good luck!

[Cynthia]

Thanks my friends! It really helps to have your input. I tried with a sub-title revision, so it's clear it's not a fantasy or fictional novel. VM I like what you wrote. That got me thinking

Tortured Crazy Romance: going home to heal my heart & my Mennonite roots

[Ken]

Cynthia,
How about?

Tortured Romance: My Mennonite Roots

Just a suggestion.

Kenneth Michaels

[Igzy]

Torch Lilies is a lovely main title. Got my interest without knowing the content of the book itself. V.M.'s suggestion makes the subtitle punchier too. The clearer it is, and the shorter, the more memorable it will be.

[Ken]

That's a great title. Perfect for your book.
Great beginning.

[K.C.]

I don't know what you are trying to convey with that title. I found it a bit ambiguous. Are you talking destructive, or colorful images. I know what lilies are, but torch ... I mean, is "Torch" a noun or a verb?

[Hayden]

Hi Cynthia, K.C.'s question about how is "Torch" used, is a great reason for you to have the flowers on the cover. With them on the cover everyone will assume they are what you are alluding to but if they are not there, then it does sound ambiguous.

BTW, After reading through this thread again I wanted to ask, do you mind if I write a piece of erotica called
"Red Hot Poker: A Mennonite Tale of Madness and Melancholy?" :)

[Cynthia]

thanks, everyone. And haha, Hayden, funny!

I'm starting to lean away from the lilies because people are saying it's abstract. Leaning toward:

TORTURED CRAZY ROMANCE: a quirky Mennonite tale

[Cynthia]

Ken wrote: "That's a great title. Perfect for your book.
Great beginning."

Ken, do you mean Tortured Crazy Romance or Torch Lilies?

thanks!
Cynthia

[Cynthia]

Also just landed on the idea: Lilies of the Gods: a Mennonite tale of finding my heart again

I could do this forever, couldn't I?

[Jenycka]

Love it!

[K.C.]

Cynthia wrote: "thanks, everyone. And haha, Hayden, funny!

I'm starting to lean away from the lilies because people are saying it's abstract. Leaning toward:

TORTURED CRAZY ROMANCE: a quirky Mennonite tale"

A book with that title sounds interesting.

[Hayden]

I Have to agree with K.C.
"TORTURED CRAZY ROMANCE: a quirky Mennonite tale"
Just sounds like something I would want to look at. But with the new title I'm not sure you need a sub-title anymore.

I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks on that first though.

[Cynthia]

Well, I settled on "MENNONITE ON THE EDGE". I am hoping to capture more of the idea of being on the edge (the book describes a time of despair/questioning amid the romance part). So there you go. Thanks, all, for your help!

[Hayden]

THAT does sound interesting.:)

[K.C.]

I agree. That title tells me a lot more.

[Cynthia]

Thank you Hayden and K.C.! Now I just need to wrap it up and get it out!

[[deleted user]]

I'm going to go against the current here. "MENNONITE ON THE EDGE" I would pass right by. "TORTURED CRAZY ROMANCE: a quirky Mennonite tale" I would pick up and look at...

[K.C.]

Jim, I agree. I was just saying that "Mennonite on the Edge" was better than the original title.
I think Cynthia is trying to edge away from the crazy.
"Tortured Crazy Romance" sounds fun.
I just took another look at the original post. I don't think she wants fun.
Is it supposed to be "fun" Cynthia? You said it was "a love story & quest to heal my Mennonite roots". Not sure what the emphasis is: the love story or the quest for healing, but it doesn't sound like you writing a "fun" story. If it is a quest in a love story, then maybe Love or Romance aught to be in there somewhere, Cynthia. And if it is meant to be a fun read, then it wouldn't hurt to throw in a "Crazy" - Tortured Crazy Mennonite Love ??? Sounds a little bit like a song.