One word:
E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.
According to my thirteen-year-old daughter, if she doesn't like the name of a book, she won't even pick it up. She doesn't care so much about the cover art. She won't even read the first few pages! For her, it's all in the name.
*gasp*
Let's be honest. I judge a book by it's title, too. It's the first thing I look at. Ahem, unless there's some smokin' hot guy on the cover. In all seriousness, though, the name is what pulls me in. If it's long and verbose, I yawn and move on. I like short titles, one that tell a story with just one, two, or three words. I prefer one. A lot of impact can be made with one word.
A title--to me--is a direct reflection of the type of story we will find in the novel. If the title is boring, the book will be boring. If the title has punch, the book will have punch. I realize this isn't always true, but since there are a gazillion books out there to read, my system helps me narrow them down.
Did you know that the original name for Gone With The Wind was Pansy? Talk about the difference between night and day.
Now, considering the impact book titles have on consumers, we as writers need to have a kick-butt name, right? I know you can get some title help once you've landed the agent, got a publishing deal, and all that. But, we still want a stellar title to start with.
So how do you come up with your names? Do you have a system? An idea in the novel you weave into a clever title? A play on words? A one-word direct stamp that says it all?
My systems a little different. I've actually come up with the title to some of my books before even writing the book. The name game first, then the ideas. Other's weren't so easy.
What power do you think titles hold? What really draws you to one? And when writing your latest manuscript, how do you come up with that perfect name?
~JD
E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.
According to my thirteen-year-old daughter, if she doesn't like the name of a book, she won't even pick it up. She doesn't care so much about the cover art. She won't even read the first few pages! For her, it's all in the name.
*gasp*
Let's be honest. I judge a book by it's title, too. It's the first thing I look at. Ahem, unless there's some smokin' hot guy on the cover. In all seriousness, though, the name is what pulls me in. If it's long and verbose, I yawn and move on. I like short titles, one that tell a story with just one, two, or three words. I prefer one. A lot of impact can be made with one word.
A title--to me--is a direct reflection of the type of story we will find in the novel. If the title is boring, the book will be boring. If the title has punch, the book will have punch. I realize this isn't always true, but since there are a gazillion books out there to read, my system helps me narrow them down.
Did you know that the original name for Gone With The Wind was Pansy? Talk about the difference between night and day.
Now, considering the impact book titles have on consumers, we as writers need to have a kick-butt name, right? I know you can get some title help once you've landed the agent, got a publishing deal, and all that. But, we still want a stellar title to start with.
So how do you come up with your names? Do you have a system? An idea in the novel you weave into a clever title? A play on words? A one-word direct stamp that says it all?
My systems a little different. I've actually come up with the title to some of my books before even writing the book. The name game first, then the ideas. Other's weren't so easy.
What power do you think titles hold? What really draws you to one? And when writing your latest manuscript, how do you come up with that perfect name?
~JD
11 Wonderful Opinions!!!:
I'm not good at making up titles. So I keep it simple. The Lady's Fate. The Lady's Masquerade. Remembering You.
I think they bode well for exactly what they are. You can infer from the title what they'll be about.
In my cases, I also let the cover do most of the talking. I'm hoping what's on the inside will make the book more than what it appears on the outside.
We'll see.
My titles come as I am writing. Suddenly, they are just there. I agree with you, and you daughter. Titles have immense power.
I'm crappy at titles and never think of one for my stories until near enough the end! LOL!! For me a book cover art draws me in most before I even read the title and author! LOL!
But I never knew about Pansy! Yikes!
Take care
x
I believe that there is an entire checklist of items that determine if a book is purchased or not, and the title is just one of them. Yes, I believe a bad title can hurt its chances, but positive word of mouth could easily overcome a bad title.
I prefer titles that are clever and oblique, and not just catchy or short. DEAD BANG is an example of catchy...but what does it really tell you about the book?
I understand this name fetish with teenagers. I've seen it in my own kids, along with refusal to read a book if they don't like the cover, even if it's put in their hand and told it's good, you'll love it!
I hate having to come up with a title. Sometimes, they come easy, but mostly they are a pain in the sit-down-upon!
There was a Sci Fi writer many years ago, who used the same title for every story! Drove the magazine editors nuts, and when they asked him why, he responded they were going to change the title anyhow, so why bother? How he kept the stories separate in his system is anyone's guess.
I think titles are important, but editors/publishers can, and often do, change them.
A title really doesn't affect me unless it's so mind-blowingly awesome or mind-blowingly awful. Otherwise, I judge by the cover and the synopsis.
wow. this is scary.
no idea how to come up with a good title here.
eep!
I'm absolutely rubbish at titles too! In fact, I blogged upon this same topic not so long ago - check it out if you want to read my further musings on the subject. http://nickwilford.blogspot.com/2011/10/whats-in-name.html.
It's actually got the same title as your post - that one was pretty easy to come up with, but so far I've struggled just with post titles!
Regarding covers, I wouldn't rely on one to hook someone into buying my book - this might not apply so much any more with the decline of bookshops, but often you are standing in a shop and see lots with just the spines facing outwards. And with Kindle, you are seeing the cover on a much smaller scale so it may have less impact. Unfortunately for me, titles are still the most important!
The cover art is still what attracts me first.
The title of my first book was the same as when I'd named it many years ago. (Although while Cassa is the home planet of the main character, it's not a star. Oh well.) The second title had me stumped. I knew I wanted to play off the first title, but nothing struck me. Fortunately, my publisher came up with a good title.
I'm into the covers myself, and I absolutely suck at titles. It's sad. ;p So I'm worried by your daughter's observation... Yikes! :D <3
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