Wednesday, July 14, 2010

In Search of a Title

I am always amazed when I see fellow writers who are only two to three chapters into their WIP's and they already have titles. Amazingly cool and thought provoking titles.  Cedar was completely finished and in the hands of beta readers before it's name came to me.

I am currently over 40,000 words into my latest WIP and still can't think of just the right name. I keep waiting for the perfect phrase or word to hit me, but so far . . . nothing.  So I am curious.  Are your WIP's titled before you even start writing or are you like me, nearly finished and combing through the ms for just the right phrase to stick on the title page.

11 comments:

  1. Mine title themselves once I get going. My first book was originally called something else, but as soon as it got it's first major overhaul the title changed. My second one came to me as soon as I hit 'save' the first time. It's not always easy though; I don't have titles for any of the ideas in my head, but I like to play around with them.

    And WOO! for having over 40k!! :)

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  2. Mine don't have titles in the beginning. The start off just a tiny thought and then explode into something else. Sometimes I can figure out what I want to call it, but I have some that I am holding out for just the right one to fall out of the sky and conk me on the head.

    Sometimes I get a title and then decide it is not the one that is right either. So it is a process. It will come all in good time.

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  3. Finding titles stresses me out! I usually don't title anything until it's done. I make lists of possible titles and keep on at it until I find one that seems to sing off the page. Titles have never been easy for me!

    I think it stresses me out because that's the first thing I look at when I'm in a bookstore or library- the title. Not the cover like everyone else, the title. If it's a compelling title, then I check out the back cover blurb and the cover. But it's the title that gets me to pick it up, so I strive for amazing titles in my own work. Hence, STRESS!

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  4. Finished, a few drafts in, but I have a random title for the documents. It has to be something that is sparked that I just LOVE

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  5. I had a working title for my latest WIP and it was something corny like 'Hunky Boys' or something like that. It wasn't until I sat down after my characters were established and the plot laid out that I thought about what would 'fit'. Still not sure if I'll keep the title I came up with, but we'll see.

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  6. I've actually had titles both ways. My most recent story I knew what the title would be before I started writing. The one before that came to me in the middle of the story. I have three more story ideas lined up--all of which i already know the title, but that can be changed later if I think of something different.

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  7. Trisha, I have no doubt that you will come up with something perfect for it. Plus, I have heard of agents/publishers falling in love with a book but having suggestions for alternate names so I don't think the name will hold you back either way. Of course, it's good to get it right the first time if possible so GOOD LUCK:-)

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  8. I usually have a working title at the beginning and when I get to the end I usually can't think of anything better, so that becomes the title. :)

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  9. I always start with a working title, that way I know the theme of the book from the beginning.

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  10. I am actually much like you. I won't name the book until something pops out and smacks me in the face. My current WIP is unnamed. The first novel came to me during the middle of writing it.

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