I am way overdue for a blog post—although I’ve been participating in a fun weekly “Medieval Monday” nature-themed fall blog fest. I usually end the year with a best-of list or recap (and that may come January 1st). This time, I want to talk about beginnings and endings with books…simply put: how to name this darn thing I’ve poured my heart into?
Ah, choosing the perfect book title.
This FINALLY happened a few days ago:
But with the end, comes the beginning all over. The title. I have a working title but it doesn’t feel right. How does an author find the perfect title to convey the mood and plot of her story in so few words? I’ve yet to even write my blurb or query, so how can I describe my story in 5 words or less? I know what my story is about, but how to convey it in a few magical words to my readers? Here are a few words that come to mind with my latest book (which is a sweet contemporary romance meets women’s fiction, a genre I call “love story”).
Some titles have come naturally and stuck. Some took more puzzling out. When it comes down to it, a title should:
Convey the mood (is this a story of hope? loss? mystery? suspense?)
Hint at the plot (what is this story about?)
Follow the market (has this been used before?)
Fit with genre trends (romance, suspense, fantasy)
Use simple, descriptive language
Be relatable to readers
It may: use character name or occupation, lift words from the story, play into theme, hint at intrigue/mystery, use famous phrases, use hooks, be formulaic/use punctuation, or be as simple as one word
Uh yeah, so no easy task! A title can make or break a book. Obscure or confusing titles may confound readers or intrigue them. Some of the simplest titles are mind-blowing amazing. I am sure we can all rattle off a few of our favorites, new or classic.
SO here I am, having written “THE END” and yet, back to the beginning I go! My biggest hurdle seems to be convey the mood (sad, but hopeful), without using an overused or cliché title already out there.
How did I get my other titles?
The “Hundred Trilogy”
A Hundred Breaths, A Hundred Kisses, A Hundred Lies