Choosing a Title for Your Novel
How Important Is It?
I
need help. I’m about 2/3 through my third suspense novel and I cannot decide on
a title. I’ve asked my writer’s group and they think it would be easier to
decide once they’ve read the entire thing. I don’t agree. My baby needs a name
and I’m asking for your help.
I believe a title needs to be three things:
1.
Reveal the Genre.
This is most important because, along with the cover art, the title is what the
potential reader/buyer sees first. This is a critical fact for eBooks, where
the reader will not even bother to read the blurb if the title and cover do not
seem to be the genre he’s interested in.
2.
Original.
This is tough. But think about how many books with punchy titles are on the
bestseller list. Gone Girl comes to mind and it’s been on the NYT list for more
than a year now.
3.
Simple. We could all point to bestsellers that have long, complicated titles, but they are the exceptions. We
might need to save those for authors who have already made their niche.
I know this is a difficult task without knowing the storyline. But with genre
I know this is a difficult task without knowing the storyline. But with genre
in mind, suspense, which one would
make you want to read the blurb?
Lethal Liasons Tragedy
Nocturnal Liasons Illicit
Illicit Liasons Trespass
Deadly Liasons Night
Travels
Incident Thy
Neighbor’s Wife
Behind Closed Doors Swapped
In Dark Houses Illegal
Entry
Deadly Seductions Illicit
Malice
Lust Struck Seductive Justice
Lust Struck Seductive Justice
Carnal Malice Carnal Justice
I’m
leaning toward a one-word title. Unfortunately, my favorite is Illicit, and
someone else just published a book by that title. However, since mine won’t be out
until 2014, I’m thinking that might not be a problem. I also like Carnal
Malice, but another author is doing a “Malice” series and I wouldn’t want us to
be confused with each other. So, you see, I really need help!
Dear Readers,
I hope you are all having a good
time reading and writing. My third novel is coming along and I’m hoping to get
to the point of editing in a couple of months. Summer has been distracting!
Thanks for reading and for your
help in finding a title. It is much appreciated.
Marla
I really like "In Dark Houses." The word "dark" gets the suspense going right away, and the whole phrase suggests secrets in the night.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn,
DeleteI hadn't thought of it that way. That really does describe the events very well, too. You've encouraged me to promote it to one of my top favorites!
Appreciate your input, have a great weekend,
Marla
I also like "In Dark Houses". It sounds different. I also liked "Trespass" but that might be too common.
ReplyDeleteHI Stacey,
DeleteI haven't checked yet to see if Trespass has been used a lot. Will have to do that since I do like the one-word choices. I'm so glad I asked for outside help! It's going to make a decision much easier.
Have a super weekend,
Marla
As I was reading through your list, a completely different title came to my mind -- first I thought of Lovestruck, and then I thought, No, based on your description, it should be Luststruck.
ReplyDeleteI checked on Amazon and there are plenty of books using Lovestruck as the title, both as one word and two. But I could not find a single solitary Luststruck or Lust Struck.
I'd be using that title myself, only my genre is very different.
My favorite on your list is Swapped. That would make me want to know more...
:)
Thanks, Lynda!
DeleteVery creative. I will definitely add it to my list. My only reservation is, along with terms like "carnal" and "bedrooms," that might lead prospective readers to think the book is erotica, since there are so o o many people doing that now.
I like it, though. Will definitely add it to my list!
Have a great weekend,
Marla
As a fellow writer and a member of your critique group, Marla, I think Lynda Lee's suggestion is pure genius. (It makes me want to hunt you down and ask for your help naming the third in my Ray Schiller series, L.L.!)
ReplyDeleteHey, nice to see you here, Marjorie!
DeleteMost folks that leave comments are reachable through their own blogs. If you click on thier name, it will give you a list of them.
Hope you're having a nice weekend,
Marla
I would chose ''Behind Close Doors'' because it definitely triggers curiosity. And it can mean so many things, you just have to read the book to know what it is all about.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
DeleteI liked that one too. Except that there was a song by that title! Not that I didn't like the song, but my first book was tied to the song, She's Not There, and don't think I want to make that a pattern. And for that one, I had to go through all the hoops to get approval to use the lyrics. It was quite a challenge, but I was fortunate enough to get approval without having to pay. No problem using titles, though, and I do like that one. It would fit with the story line.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your opinion!
Marla
"Seductive Justice" instead of "Deadly Seductions" Seductive Justice or Carnal Justice are good play on words and have a certain lure ability. Romance, mystery, suspense all in one. One word titles are tricky. Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Thanks for your help, James!
DeleteAs I mentioned to Lynda, I'm somewhat reluctant to use any sexual term (even though they have that "lure" ability because I don't want to give the slant that the story falls under the erotical genre.
Definitely intriguiing suggestions. I'll add them to the list.
Marla
Call it 'Shut the Door'. Simple, hints at something else, and makes the reader a part of the deception...
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
DeleteThat is certainly an original idea! I'll add it to the list. Thanks for contributing, and have a wonderful weekend,
Marla
I like "In Dark Houses" as it conjures up all sorts of "illicit" activity. I also like "A Misty Veil" - a search online gives a site with long, ghostly wigs... You give us all incentive to be more creative! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen!
DeleteI have a friend named Karen Petersen! Not sure where she is living now, southern IL maybe and I knew her when she lived in Naperville, Il. She probably spelled her name with an "on" though, instead of "en." Nope, just looked it up. It's "en." Are you her??
Have some relatives too named Petersen, all in Kenosha, WI. It's a common name, though.
Anyway, thanks so much for voicing an opinion. As of today, that one is the favorite!
We can all use help with creativity!
Have a super weekend,
Marla
I am the same Karen! I sent you an email a few days ago but can't find any trace of it in my 'Sent' file so will send it again...This time I will use your form...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun surprise to hear from you!!
DeleteMy email is mam887@gmail.com. Let's catch up.
Marla
The first thing I would do is check your prospective titles at Amazon first to see if you have duplicates of books that have already been published.
ReplyDeleteThen sit on your list for a while. Add to it. Subtract from it. Continue writing. By the time you get to the last chapter, a particular phrase from a great scene may stand out as your "eureka" moment.
Hi Kathy,
DeleteExcellent advice! My writer's group has been reluctant to voice an opinion until they've read the whole thing and your suggestion matches that. The very interesting thing that has come up is that none of the titles that were my first choices have been the ones readers say would make a book more attractive.
It's been fun to read the different suggestions and opinions. No one title seems to be standing out a lot, but In Dark Houses is ahead by about two.
I have been checking AZ for matches. My first choice, Illicit, was recently done so that made a difference to me. If it had been a couple years, it wouldn't have mattered I don't think.
Have a super Sunday, and thanks for the wise advice!
Marla
I haven't had a chance to really read thru your work. Since I found you as a writer I've been limited to a crappy cell. When I get back up online I'll be sure to check you out.... Anyway, I saw you liked "Malice". Have you thought of Spite and Malice? A quick google showed me it's not a novel, but like I said, my net sucks right now. I'm not even sure I can post this, but we'll see. :)
ReplyDeleteA cell? Sounds awful, poetessa. Yes, I like using the term "Malice" and used it for my second suspense novel, Relative Malice. I've considered continueng with another title that uses it, but there is another author doing that already.
DeleteThanks for stopping in and adding your thoughts. Hope your life gets back on track soon,
Marla
Maria - Tragedy - Covers so many aspects of life. Leaves the reader wondering - What?!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith!
DeleteI really like that one too. And I don't think there are a lot of others with the same name. Another consideration will be the cover. Will it work with the cover? And one-word titles really do!
Thanks for your opinion, have a great week,
Marla
I sometimes share your dilemma, and often think that writers are too engaged in their books to come up with the best title. It's often a friend, colleague, agent, who does that. Looking through your list, I felt 'Liaison' should go because, although it signals intrigue, it's quite a difficult word. Not everybody will get it or know how to read it. I like Night as this is clear Anglo Saxon with shivery overtones. I thought on the lines of Night Liaisons and came up with Night Matters. xx Natalie Meg Evans, www.wordyhood.com
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie,
DeleteYour comment reminded me of Simon Cowell when he was a judge on American Idol. One of his favorite criticisms was that a song picked by a contestant was "self-indulgent." Using "Liason" is probably self-induglent because I really like it and you're right--It is a difficult word. Not one person has liked it!
I like using the word night. Also dark.
Still mulling it over! Thanks so much for your input, it was very helpful.
Have a nice evening,
Marla
Personally, I love one-word titles. I've used "Awakenings" and "Frostbites" for my titles, and then on the first page had a short explanation of the word. For instance "'Awakenings' - When you start to understand something or feel something." Then again, I think my third one will be called "A hole in the world," because it has a nice ring to it. (Also, "Hole" is not the best title...) I realize this is not for everyone though, but it's something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI also fell in love with Abercrombie's titles, with parts of quotes. For example "The Blade Itself" as a title, and inside it would read "The blade itself incites to deeds of violence."
So yeah, Tragedy, Illicit or Trespass are my favorites. :-)
"'Trespass' - to enter without permission, take advantage of." Sounds really cool. Maybe "To enter without permission", or "entry without permission" is something to think about as well. "'Tragedy' - an event causing great suffering" also sounds pretty good.
Okay, I'll stop now.
I just love working on titles and such.
Cheers - Robert Bishop
Hi Robert,
DeleteI really liked your input! I'm with you. I like the one-word titiles. Not only do they have punch, they'll stand out in a small, eBook ad. I like your third title, too. Really makes a potential reader curious.
Trespass does fit nicely with the story line. I think that one and "In Dark Houses" are my two favorites at the moment.
Have a nice weekend,
Marla
We can't really be too helpful without knowing some key words to describe your book! Sex? Murder? Intrigue? Backstabbing? I like the 3 word titles that have a pseudo-rhyme . . . like Thin Rich Bitches!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
DeleteYes, it was a lot harder to pick a title when you only knew that it was a suspense novel. Let's see . . . Lots of sex, murder and intrigue! Hated to give away the plot, although it would have been better for title choice. Thin Rich Bitches. Yes, it has a ring to it, doesn't it?
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week,
Marla
SWAPPED jumped out at me right away, but not knowing what your book is about, makes it a little difficult. Great post. It is difficult finding the right title. I think you know you have it when the title never leaves you, no matter what others you come up with. You just know deep in your gut you've got it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Jenny. You're so right. My first two books were named easily; once I thought of the names, they just felt right.
DeleteHave a super weekend,
Marla
What did you decide? They are all great choices
ReplyDelete