Titles of books change all the time. It’s a fact. Period.
As an writer, I’m well aware that when a story is “adopted” by a publisher, they might want to change the name of their new child. Of course, their intent is to give each book the best life it can have. I was very lucky with TOUCHING THE SURFACE–Simon Pulse kept my original vision. This was a huge relief because I loved it–I was attached. But also because my titles play a very large role in the story I am trying to tell, in fact I can’t even begin to write a new book if I don’t have that key piece of information. I need a title to anchor my thoughts. Then it must grow and twist through the story like a vine, with the weaving of the theme being strong enough to support just about anything else I throw into the story…
Now that’s good weaving LOL!
But wait! I must have a reason for all this title talk, right? Of course I do. I’m approaching the end of my first draft to THE OPPOSITE OF GRAVITY which means 90% of my brain is in complete obsession mode. All I can think about is THAT STORY!!! But…the final 10% is thinking ahead, starting to mull over the next book. Getting to know new characters. Thinking about new questions that I need answers for. So, since book three is starting to tickle my brain, I thought I would share my title with you. Who knows if I’ll get to keep it, but for now…Book Three is called CHASING ADAPTATION. It just feels right.
How do you pick your titles? What are some of your favorites? What do you think makes a good title?
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Believe this or not, but my titles often come last. So I write books called Kid middle grade, or Texas romance novel. I love your titles.
OMG!!! That’s so un-Kim! I wouldn’t be able to write the book without the title first LOL!
I agree titles are important in the creative process. For my middle grade book The Whispering Chimney, I was given the title in a dream. Needless to say I popped out of bed and started writing. I love your titles and am looking forward to reading your books.
I love that you thought of it in a dream. A lot of my stuff comes to me when I’m not looking at it head on. :o)
I’m just a little kid messing around, but I think the best title I have was a mistake. It’s for the story I’m working on right now “Before the Monologue.” I originally wrote it in a rush for an assignment to write a offshoot of the dramatic monologue I turned in at the beginning of the term, so I just slapped “Before the Monologue” onto it. But now it’s turned into Valarie telling Carmen’s story before she delivers a eulogy.
I like that! It fits really well and it sits nicely on the tongue. Good job. :o)
I was actually thinking about this yesterday. Both of the books I’ve written have started as a title. I hear something that makes me think. I start to ask myself what a book called that would be about. I never even tried to pub my first attempt, I consider it my practice novel. My current wip, This Waking World, all started with reading something to the effect of someone joining the waking world and my mind drifted and went crazy. I am extremely attached to this title as it created the whole concept and book. I really hope that when it comes to the point that I actually attempt to pub it the editor involved agrees. If not, hey, I’m getting published so I’ll still be thrilled.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I like to think that the more integrated the title is in the story (barring other outside issues like someone else having the same tittle etc…) the better the odds of keeping it. But who knows. Fingers crossed for you!
I pick out my titles ahead of time too! And I don’t think that I could ever let someone change them. REMOVED is the first of four books I have planned. They all play off their titles and all the titles start with “RE-“. I’m clever like that. I hope that if they get picked up, a publisher will see my long-term vision and love it. Fingers crossed!
Toes too!!! I love the Re-thingy!