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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Title Me This
Which comes first? The title? Or the story idea?
A lot of times the title shows up to me first. It's a phrase I've heard, or read, that has such intriguing story potential. "Every Maiden's Dream", one of the first books I wrote, started as a title. These words are used by the hero's best friend, in a semi-sarcastic way, to describe how the hero has been forgotten by the ladies during his year-long absence from Society. It is also meant to be ironic, since the heroine seems to have no use for our dashing hero, to his great surprise (and distress). Yet it also ends up being an accurate description of him as he becomes a vital part of the heroine's happily-ever-after. That is one hard-working title!
Another title, "A Short Step to Crazy", was part of a phrase I recently read in an online article, and it was an instant winner. I knew it could be part of a trilogy, so I brainstormed other "crazy" titles, and then set out to find a story to go with the titles. That's when I thought of three sisters and, "if they lived anywhere else, they'd be normal". It's been a lot of fun working through the story possibilities that emerged because of an unexpected title dropping into my laptop.
Sometimes the story comes first, and the title requires some effort. I have one book that I've re-titled so many times I'm not even sure what it is anymore. I'm still digging in my brain for one of those "Yes! This is perfect!" titles for it. I'm not sure why it's so hard to find the right fit either. Perhaps I will have to ask someone to read the book and ask them what titles come to mind. (It's a process that could be fraught with peril, or the advent of genius. I'll let you know how it turns out.)
I like to think of the title's job as literary seduction. It should beckon, in an irresistible fashion, until you have no choice but to read the first line, and then the first paragraph, and then just one more chapter. . . and cripes, now it's time to devise a plausible excuse for missing work because you stayed up all night reading.
Lately it seems too many titles have NOTHING to do with the book. I find this aggravating, especially if the book is part of a series. I have to read the cover blurb to see if I've already read the book, because it sounds like they just shuffled the words in the previous book's title. This "title disconnect" seems to happen most often with romantic suspense, so I guess there's only so many romantic ways to say "Danger Ahead! Ye Be Warned!"
Sometimes it's obvious the title is solely meant to be titillating, even more so than the cover model's chesticular qualities. That can be disappointing as well, because then I feel like I fell for a Ponzi scheme, and I'll grumble for the rest of the day. It's my own fault if I buy a book just because I was mesmerized by a spectacular set of male pectorals. But if I buy a book with a title that promises one thing, yet delivers another. . .well, that makes me unhappy, and do we really want that? No, we don't.
Another trend that's fun, but can be a huge stretch from what the story is about: titles which are actually a pun on OTHER titles, especially TV shows and movies. I definitely appreciate the humor and wit involved, but it feels as if it's meant to be clever wordplay for its own sake rather than an indication of the storyline. Again, I've been promised one thing, but given something else. And we know how I feel about that (see answer at the end of previous paragraph).
So, which came first for you, the title, or the story? Give us a title from your manuscript, and what made you choose that one (i.e, the story behind the story). Or describe titles that made you pick up a book, and whether it met your expectations. Just for fun, come up with a NEW title for a book you've read, one that describes it even better than the published one.
A lot of times the title shows up to me first. It's a phrase I've heard, or read, that has such intriguing story potential. "Every Maiden's Dream", one of the first books I wrote, started as a title. These words are used by the hero's best friend, in a semi-sarcastic way, to describe how the hero has been forgotten by the ladies during his year-long absence from Society. It is also meant to be ironic, since the heroine seems to have no use for our dashing hero, to his great surprise (and distress). Yet it also ends up being an accurate description of him as he becomes a vital part of the heroine's happily-ever-after. That is one hard-working title!
Another title, "A Short Step to Crazy", was part of a phrase I recently read in an online article, and it was an instant winner. I knew it could be part of a trilogy, so I brainstormed other "crazy" titles, and then set out to find a story to go with the titles. That's when I thought of three sisters and, "if they lived anywhere else, they'd be normal". It's been a lot of fun working through the story possibilities that emerged because of an unexpected title dropping into my laptop.
Sometimes the story comes first, and the title requires some effort. I have one book that I've re-titled so many times I'm not even sure what it is anymore. I'm still digging in my brain for one of those "Yes! This is perfect!" titles for it. I'm not sure why it's so hard to find the right fit either. Perhaps I will have to ask someone to read the book and ask them what titles come to mind. (It's a process that could be fraught with peril, or the advent of genius. I'll let you know how it turns out.)
I like to think of the title's job as literary seduction. It should beckon, in an irresistible fashion, until you have no choice but to read the first line, and then the first paragraph, and then just one more chapter. . . and cripes, now it's time to devise a plausible excuse for missing work because you stayed up all night reading.
Lately it seems too many titles have NOTHING to do with the book. I find this aggravating, especially if the book is part of a series. I have to read the cover blurb to see if I've already read the book, because it sounds like they just shuffled the words in the previous book's title. This "title disconnect" seems to happen most often with romantic suspense, so I guess there's only so many romantic ways to say "Danger Ahead! Ye Be Warned!"
Sometimes it's obvious the title is solely meant to be titillating, even more so than the cover model's chesticular qualities. That can be disappointing as well, because then I feel like I fell for a Ponzi scheme, and I'll grumble for the rest of the day. It's my own fault if I buy a book just because I was mesmerized by a spectacular set of male pectorals. But if I buy a book with a title that promises one thing, yet delivers another. . .well, that makes me unhappy, and do we really want that? No, we don't.
Another trend that's fun, but can be a huge stretch from what the story is about: titles which are actually a pun on OTHER titles, especially TV shows and movies. I definitely appreciate the humor and wit involved, but it feels as if it's meant to be clever wordplay for its own sake rather than an indication of the storyline. Again, I've been promised one thing, but given something else. And we know how I feel about that (see answer at the end of previous paragraph).
So, which came first for you, the title, or the story? Give us a title from your manuscript, and what made you choose that one (i.e, the story behind the story). Or describe titles that made you pick up a book, and whether it met your expectations. Just for fun, come up with a NEW title for a book you've read, one that describes it even better than the published one.
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124 comments:
Some lovely titles I bought for the title...and never regretted it... The Thread That Binds the Bones, The Silent Strength of Stone, A Fistful of Sky. All by Nini Kiriki Hoffman. Loved a bunch of Charles de Lint and George C. Chesbro...Shadow of a Broken Man, City of Whispering Stone... I love a good title.
I dithered a bit with A Caribbean Spell...thought of A Magical Sea, Moonstone Magic... (The ships name is Moonstone.)
The Alien Library? Come on, love that one. Foxoddness...yup, like that, too. But Adam's Wings sucks. As I rewrite and revise I hope I find a better title.
I've never read from a title that disappointed, but I seldom buy from title alone. From author alone and been disappointed, you bet.
The Kraken's Mirror was The Kraken's Portal, but since the mirror appears on the first page, I decided to go with mirror instead. Working on the next one and have a working title...The Zeppelin in a Mirror ... that is not going to stick, I already know it. Though I like the zeppelin in there somewhere...
I like puns for mysteries and comedies. The same with plays on song titles.
I always struggle with titles, and they never come first for me. But I've seen that as a brainstorming exercise that could be so much fun -- come up with as many titles as you can think of, and then try to think of the story that goes with it.
I adore the phrase "A short step to crazy" - that's hilarious! My current WIP is White Lie, which is ironic as so much of the book (right down to character names) is a bold-faced lie. Tons of hidden identities and agendas. Mostly, I just needed a two-word title, one syllable each (the first in the series is False Move, and that seemed to work. I'm not a huge fan of either, but I figure, hey, how often does the author actually get to choose the title? LOL!
I hate titling. :( I'm like Hal; they never come first for me. I'm actually using Captive by Coercion as my working title and I don't love it. But we'll see.
Chance, I love your titles! I like Moonstone Magic, so if you don't use it for A Caribbean Spell, you should recycle it! Alien Library and Foxoddness -- I would pick those up just because of the titles. And of course The Kraken's Mirror is priceless.
I like the pun titles too -- anything that makes me smile! I'm trying to think if I've ever used one. I have a tendency to write things down to use "some day", so it's possible!
Hal, maybe it's because I'm a packrat, but it's like titles find ME! LOL Like A Short Step to Crazy -- smacked me right in the head, which is a good thing, since it's filled with awesome sauce. :)
White Lie sounds like it's doing a great job for a title! Isn't that how it goes -- one little white lie, and then it leads to another, bigger one? I think it's great. (Can't wait to read the book too -- I love all the intrigue you described.)
I know titles can get changed. But sometimes I think it helps the writer keep on track when they have a title that describes what they're trying to do. (Did that make sense? I need more coffee! Especially if I have to do that eye test thingie every time I post a comment! LOL)
Marn, some books really are untitleable. LOL The book I mentioned above is like that. I may just have to start calling it, Here, Read This because I can't come up with anything original that describes the book.
Although sometimes a title comes to you in the midst of writing the book or revising it. Is Captive by Coercion a historical? I need to know who the captive is here. :)
I get characters first, then they give me some clues to their story, and I pick a working title that is almost always dull and plain. I've never gotten a title first, but it sounds like a fun way to start.
Leslie Langtry did a twist on classic song titles for her Bombay Assassins series which worked beautifully, mostly because they matched the books so well.
I'm not a fan of the current trend in Historical titles. It's all plug in title + plug in sexy word = selling title. Has nothing whatsoever to do with the story in most cases. And the darn things are all repeating. Poor Maggie had to deal with not one but TWO other books with the title Mistress By Mistake. For her book, it's explains the story exactly, and I guess it might for the others. But still, titles used to be unique.
Great. Now this morning I've got the code. Chanceroo, did you tattle on me AGAIN?! Filthy rotten pirate...
Fcking code. I can't read the damned thing to type it in.
I'm not exactly a title person. I usually don't come up with a title until I'm about halfway through writing. Back when the books were about the Twins and not the older sister, my Double series was going to have titles with Double in them. Double Trouble, Double Jeopardy, Double Vision.. You know like that. But I'm not sure I'll run with that now I'm writing in Kiki's POV instead of the Twins.
And everyone knows I'm not one of those readers that looks at the title. I look at the cover and then read a page in the middle of the book. If I can't put the book down once I've read that page in the middle of the book, I buy it.
Damn it, I was going to mention Leslie Langtry. I Shot You Babe and Guns Will Keep Us Together...glorious! I didn't get right away 'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy was a lyric until far after time ran out on Jeopardy.
I'm not a fan of the historical titles. They're either all alike--or lately they've gotten way cutesy 90210, which incidentally I think gives you a HUGE clue how the books will read. 90210 in Regency wear. (That is not a compliment from me.) I'm waiting for someone to actually publish, "Dude, Where's My Carriage?" I know that's next. Although...considering the late 80s trend of "Savage Surrender" and "Love's Savage Embrace"--these technically aren't any worse. They're just not any better.
I suck at titles, so even if by some miracle I was published, I wouldn't be allowed to keep any. I don't usually come up with titles first. I usually come up with a character and a situation first. (Then I usually come up with a Black Moment.) Those are the three things I need--and I try to write from point A (character/situation) to point B, without any other guidance other than constant bitching and chocolate.
Current titles:
I have a cowboy manuscript about a city slicker/professor who wants to become a cowboy. He meets a suffragette who is being forced to marry her neighbor (by her father)--so she introduces city slicker as her fiancee to keep the wedding at bay. Problems ensue. I title it--wait for it--The Cowboy. You see why you should never ask me for titling help.
I have another manuscript--completed--where the girl is in love with this guy, but tries not to be because he's married. And also because her friend loathes him. This doesn't quite work. People get shot, blah, blah, blah, and I titled this one: Girl on a Grecian Urn. Why you may ask? Because the heroine says in the book that the only reason he wants her is because she is the Girl on the Grecian Urn (ala Keats.) You see why this manuscript--or title--is not popular.
Current WIP: Adam and Eve fail marriage counseling, sent to Vegas to find new mates, end up having sex and falling back in love instead. Lucifer helps. Titled: In the Beginning, Again. For obvious sacrilegious reasons.
Kim Harrison does a take on old Clint Eastwood movies. Love her titles. Dead Witch Walking. The Good, the Bad and the Undead. The Outlaw Demon Wails.
I'm sorry, but The Cowboy is cracking me up, which is shouldn't since I'm awful at it too. LOL! But that such a great story premise and then you throw in The Cowboy.
To be fair, mine so far have been My Anna (short erotic romance), Letting Go (which I eventually had to let go), and Playing For Keeps (the current WIP about the baseball player and the HS teacher).
I want to Dude, Where is My Carriage. LMFAO
"Dude."
"Where is the blasted carriage."
*blank staring into darkness*
"I think we're in the coat closet."
"Duuuuude."
To be fair, I had about a half dozen manuscripts I was scratching ideas for--
1.) The cowboy one
2.) One with a Highlander, time travel, and a witch--titled: The Highlander
3.) A revolutionary war one, ghost, present day and past--titled: Shadow's Embrace (see my roots with Love's Savage Embrace, huh, huh?)
4.) A stand alone attempt at the Lucy novel, titled: Redemption (that's original)
So you might sense a theme I had with one or two word titles. Trying to be all serious and seductive...
Bo'sun, I like those Leslie Langtry titles too -- they're clever, but they seem to still tie to the story. And you're right about the historical titles feeling like they're just plugging in words. When I come up with a title, I usually google it or go to amazon to see if anyone else was brilliant before I was. LOL
Letting Go (which I eventually had to let go)
It probably is ill advised to title things in which a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy might rear its ugly head.
Sin, I've got the "Captcha Code" today too -- I don't mind it, except for those creepy earthworm-looking things in there. LOL
I'm intrigued by you reading a page in the middle of the book -- and it can "captcha" your interest that way? It sounds maddening to me. LOL I need to know how this works!
Hellie, and you think you can't come up with titles?! Dude, Where's My Carriage? TOTALLY rocks! LOL
Bo'sun, I like Playing for Keeps -- it sounds romantic AND ties in to the baseball player. I'd buy it. :)
I am, what you would call, an odd person. I sometimes will start a book in the middle just because I feel like it and just to see if my brain is quick enough to make up a decent backstory or even if I'm interested enough to give a rat's ass. Or I start books in the middle of series. I started JE's book at 8. I read Pam Clare's I-Team series at book 2. There are two series I've ever started at the beginning. That is Tara Janzen. And Kim Harrison. Kim- only because book 1 was the only one out. And Tara because someone sent me the first book ONLY because they knew I'd start in the middle if left to my own devices.
I can't take credit for Dude Where's My Carriage? That was a sarcastic title that the Vano kids came up with.
As I said: I suck.
I'm not getting any code. This is SO weird. Perhaps I'm supposed to be in charge of the codes and don't know it?
Huh.
Hellie - Excellent point. And proven by the fact the one I named Playing For Keeps is the one I'm actually finishing. LOL!
It probably is ill advised to title things in which a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy might rear its ugly head.
LMAO!!!!
How about: "Thrown Away," "Damaged" or....hmm, I can't think of any others, but this could be really fun!
I love being right.
Sin, I definitely read series out of order. I actually kind of prefer that, so I don't have to worry if anything bad is going to happen -- "Oh yeah, they're still around in the LATER book, so it's okay." LOL
"The Book That No One Will Ever Buy" or TBTNOWEB for short. That's a self-fulfilling prophecy there...don't do it.
Sin would probably title hers The Asshat Book. Or Asshat for short. But only so she can call her husband as "asshat" and when he says, "What did you call me?", she could say, "I was talking about my book. Asshat."--mutters--"asshat."
Oh yeah, and I read Lara Adrain's Midnight Breed series out of order (That was Dee's fault, really) and JR Ward's fault. But I think that was Hellie's fault.
I like bad shit happening. Death to a main character in the book makes me all that much happier.
I like bad shit happening. Death to a main character in the book makes me all that much happier.
LOL, Sin. You don't have an evil twin. You ARE the evil twin! LOL
Sin is so disturbed.
For Chance's Zeppelin story, I suggested DREAD ZEPPELIN but she shot me down like the Hindenburg. :)
How is it MY fault you read the Ward series out of order? I didn't even read the Ward series!
TBTNOWEB for short
Yikes -- can we shorten it some more. Like TB. LOL
How could you not use DREAD ZEPPELIN, Chance? That's awesome! :)
And I've been reading the Lara Adrian books out of order too, Sin. Mainly because some I like better than others. LOL
Titles I love? Persuasion, Gone With The Wind, The Sun also Rises , East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, The Art of War, Life Among The Savages, Motherhood The Second Oldest Profession.
Pearl S Buck had some great titles too. Titles like Dragon Seed or The Good Earth. Succinct
and rather modern sounding for their time. IMO
A title that I would change to describe the book better? War and Peace. I’d Change it to War and a Bad Piece of Editing. Jeez enough already! Just end The Damn Book!
Thank you, Donna! That's what I said! I also threw out STARSHIP ZEPPELIN to satisfy her Trekkie soul. She didn't go for that one either.
I also threw out STARSHIP ZEPPELIN to satisfy her Trekkie soul. She didn’t go for that one either.
Well, some people are contrary by nature. *cough* Sin *cough* LOL
Julie -- LOL -- I love War and a Bad Piece of Editing. That is perfect!
I loved Pearl S. Buck books -- I should re-read some of those. Thanks for the reminder!
Sin would probably title hers The Asshat Book. Or Asshat for short. But only so she can call her husband as “asshat” and when he says, “What did you call me?”, she could say, “I was talking about my book. Asshat.”–mutters–”asshat.”
LMFAO
hahahahahaha
Gah, it's like you are a fly on our wall at night.
I love Dread Zeppelin! Hilarious! I would so pick up a book titled that, just to find out more about it.
And *I* am NOT disturbed. Or contrary.
I am opinionated and resourceful.
The Art of War
Of course, Jules would reference her own book as one of her "favorite" titles.
Hellie, I dunno. I felt like blaming you, so I blamed you for reading them out of order. I'm pretty sure you handed over that book. Or told me to read it. Or encouraged something. I'm sure of it. You're always encouraging me to do bad things.
LOL, Sin. You don’t have an evil twin. You ARE the evil twin! LOL
Dear DRD,
I am your evil twin. Nice to meet you finally. Now I can destroy everything.
Sincerely,
Your evil twin
Gah, it’s like you are a fly on our wall at night.
So reassuring you haven't found the secret cameras yet.
Of course you felt like blaming me. Clearly it was my fault for being such a horrible influence. Like Bella influences Jacob.
And I'm ignoring the evil Bella/Jake comment.
I'm not going to ask why you have the secret cameras. If you want to know what sex position I've invented next, you could just ask for a demonstration instead of watching the real thing.
Pervert.
If you want to know what sex position I’ve invented next, you could just ask for a demonstration instead of watching the real thing.
Because watching you and Pixy get into position is disturbing. *LOL*
I love reuniting families. *wipes away tear* Our ship should so be featured on Who Do You Think You Are...or one of those shows like that.
I’m not a fan of the historical titles. They’re either all alike–or lately they’ve gotten way cutesy To many titles are too cute, tooo repetitive, toooo eeewwww… Gag me. That’s all I’ll say.
I title it–wait for it–The Cowboy. You see why you should never ask me for titling help.
I’m not saying that this title sucks, Hellion. But after reading it I have a strange desire to vacuum.
I like bad shit happening. Death to a main character in the book makes me all that much happier. Well that explains it. When she gets bored I get a little message that goes “So. What’s up with you?” IE what got blown up, who got blown away…
And *I* am NOT disturbed. Or contrary.
I am opinionated and resourceful.
I Want this on a t-shit!
I went to reply in the comments and all I can see of Jules comment above is "A strange desire to vacuum" and it launches into liking bad shit to happen. Jules, have you invented a new vacuum and if so, WTF do I get it?
*LOL* Nice, Jules! Thank you--I warned you!
You people need to open this blog in IE and get out of those other browsers. LOL! It all looks normal from where I'm sitting. Or as normal as normal gets around this ship...
I only run Mozilla at the office. Cuts down on the popups, worms and viruses. Unless you are the DR and then you're just fcked.
Yikes -- is it a "sh*t vacuum"?
Oh, and the penalty for the wrong CAPTCHA code -- your words are ERASED! Eeek.
My code this time is 3CYA -- so I gotta cover my butt THREE times!
And I know what I'm getting you as a present, Jules. A new vacuum and a t-shirt. LOL
Donna, if you hit the back button on your browser your comment should still be in tact. And if not, copy and paste.
Bo'sun, I'm using IE -- but you're right, normal is as normal does. LOL
To those of you who have not seen Harry Potter, POTC, or the Twilight movies, here is a link showing 30 second re-enactments to catch you up to speed.
http://www.angryalien.com/
I think the captcha code is only necessary if you're not logged into the system. I notice when I'm logged into RWR as Hellion (rather than Hellie), then it knows I can send messages without taking the extra step.
Dear DRD,
I am your evil twin. Nice to meet you finally. Now I can destroy everything.
Sincerely,
Your evil twin
Sniff. I always knew there was a part of me that was missing. Now I know why! :)
So that's why my name appears RED and the rest of your names are BLACK. You're not logged in! Makes total sense now...
I'm always logged in. Though I've gotten like five more User ID's and passwords in the last month and I can't remember any of them!
Pardon, moi. But I do not have books. I have … umm… folders.
Shut -up-Hellion
And files. They have titles like “The Mother Wars” and “These Suits Were Made For Talking”
Books I might write? “Cryptograph for The Casual Blogger” and “CQC For The Modern day Housewife”
OK, I'll play around with Lead Zeppelin, see how it floats.
*groan
It's too early, how could I do that!
I do know I'm about ready to toss any books with the words Duke, Baron, Count, Carriage, Courtesan, Seduced... Wait, I almost never by those anyway! :)
And I'm getting the code!
*crooks eyebrow
Was I absent again when ya handed out the decoder rings?
I never used to be logged in when I commented. I wonder if WP made some "upgrades" to the system, and that's how the Captcha Code appeared.
Or maybe they're trying to captcha Sin before she destroys everything. LOL
Log in? Stay logged in? All the time? But won't the wicked code from nefarious sources slither into my computer and steal everything I am?
Or maybe they’re trying to captcha Sin before she destroys everything. LOL
Dear DRD,
Stop tattling on me.
Sincerely,
Evil Twin
I never log in (ie: I'm too lazy to go two extra steps) and this is the first time ever having to use the code. It knows about me. I must destroy all evidence immediately.
Dear Evil Twin,
I can't help myself.
I'm programmed to be good.
Kisses (with a heart over the i),
DRD
LOL -- I knew that question would be asked!
Programmed to be good at what?
Yes Donna-Dear-Do-Tell ...
I'm jus' the curious sort... ;)
Julie, you're a riot. LOL
Comma Sutra. Guess it's better than Semi-colon Sutra. LOL
LOL -- I don't want to fill up the comments with all my accomplishments! :) That wouldn't be fair!
I bet That IT has something to do with commas.
As in … Kama Sutra
All I'll say is "Even I Ain't gonna touch that one with a ten foot pole." LOL
There is a ten-foot pole involved?
Dear Evil Twin,
I can’t help myself.
I’m programmed to be good.
Kisses (with a heart over the i),
DRD
Dear DRD,
I'm sorry but hearts make me projectile vomit over your i.
Sincerely,
Evil Twin
Julie, since we can't use your whip for our laundry, maybe we could use the 10 foot pole (if he's not busy, of course!)
Dear Evil Twin,
I know. That's why I did it. :)
Eternally yours,
DRD
There's a title for you - With A Ten Foot Pole.
Hmmm...what story would you write for that?
Mmm, let me do some brainstormin'!
Well I know exactly what story I'd write for it.
About the electric company of course. I mean, you didn't think I'd actually write about poles did you? Like riding a pole. Dancing the pole. Stroking the pole.
Yeah, I was leaning towards "With A Ten Foot Pole: A Tale of Two Strippers".
It could work. :)
I foresee today turning into Candiland. Everyone grab your poles, today will be a bumpy ride.
Barkeep! What kind of drink do you have for us? :)
(Can't wait to hear this one! LOL)
With A Ten Foot Pole
Sounds like an erotica to me!
I'm not sitting on a pole if you've already warned me it's going to be a bumpy ride. That's just asking for bruises where I don't need or want bruises.
Donna - That drink would be the Pole Vault Slider. It comes with a giant blue cushion to soften your landing.
Nope. I have no comment ... especially since I read that scope that said Uranus in Aries: Promote Your Uniqueness!
Nope. I have no comment ... especially since I read that scope that went on to say quote Uranus is the planet of rebellion. It brings with it a new way of looking at things and its approach is best met with an expanded consciousness... Uranus is the torchbearer who leads the way into the unknown or into what you haven’t previously experienced. It may feel initially unsettling but ...You’ll be moving straight ahead without a moment to waste.
Nope. I have no comment ... except to say I'm not in the Mood to have my consciousness or anything else for that matter expanded!
Back to titles... There were a guy at RT. Took the advanced writers course because he'd been published. Was totally lost as his book at been non-fiction...etc.
But! He was sorta cute and his class nomimated him to run for Mr. Romance, the cover model contest? And he, being a good natured smart-ass, went for it. And told me at one point he was so tired of smiling...
He drew a picture of himself with muscles and no shirt for the information board since he didn't bring any with him... Used a candid shot of himself on a cell phone to promote his campaign.
Andrew. He didn't win, but he was such a good sport and played along with all the goofy things.
The Reluctant Mr. Romance is a book that just cries out to be written!
That drink would be the Pole Vault Slider. It comes with a giant blue cushion to soften your landing.
I don't even want to see what cocktail stirrer is served with this beverage. LOL
I also liked one I came up with at RT. Long Past the Point of Tired ...
Chance, I saw an article a couple weeks ago, where that guy told about how he'd gotten roped into that contest -- he sounded like a sweetheart. And you're right about that title -- get to writing it!
Stirrer? You swirl it about and if it still needs ta be stirred...ya use...yer finger! Unless a hottie is around to help...
Titles? Gosh Chance, a title with the word Zeppelin in it is tuff to come up with.
The Golden Zeppelin?
The Crystal Zeppelin?
So I took “classic titles” and mixed em up with your dirigible to get … Well? The Secret Garden became The Secret Garden Zeppelin. Which morphed into The Secret Guardian Zeppelin. Some more are:
The Star Zeppelin Wars
Catch 22 Zeppelins
The Zeppelin Odyssey
Lady Chatterley’s Zeppelin
Who’s Afraid of Virginia’s Zeppelin
War and a Piece of Zeppelin
Gone With the Zeppelin
Ode To A Zeppelin
To Be Or Not To Be … a Zeppelin
The Zeppelin Also Rises
To Have and Have Not a Zeppelin
The Art of Zeppelin War
Da Zeppelin Code
The Tail of Two Zeppelins
The Seven Minutes in a Zeppelin
Sense and a Sensible Zeppelin
And of course
Old Yeller’ Zeppelin
Shouldn't that be "Zenze and Zeppelity"?
Donna! Where did you see the article!? I'd love to read his take on it more.
I could really see this book...some poor sap gets roped into it, makes fun of it, finds out how hard it is, grows more respectful of the idea...meets the author who wants him on her cover...falls for her... So much potential here!
I do like that story idea. Huh, I might have to steal this.
I'll arm wrestle you for it, Donna.
LOL, Bo'sun -- it's yours. I've got more ideas than I can handle right now (as if I'm actually WORKING on any of them! LOL)
Chance, I'll see if I can find that article -- it was a blog, because I remember commenting. Lemme go look.
Julie, I'm partial to The Zeppelin Also Rises. LOL
Here ya go, Chance. I can't believe I found it that esily! LOL
http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=1054
Funny thing? The zeppelin only appears in the first page. So far. I suppose it might reappear in a climax. Yeah, I could have the albino kraken smack it out of the sky!
Whoop!
Any excuse to use the albino kraken!
Thanks, Donna! He was really a fun guy...and such a superb sport!
I can haz it?! Goodie. I'll put it...*looks at stove*
I'm gonna need another back burner.
I wanna help wit' it! Ya can borrow one a' my back burners... All me burners are front burners.
Fun thing? I bet ya could e-mail Andrew 'bout it and he'd answer questions. Or just have fun and make it all up!
Bo'sun, just make sure *I* get cover model approval when you publish it, okay? :) I wanna make sure you get the BEST one(s) possible!
Clearly we would need to have a contest among the Hotties to find the perfect cover model. Never fear, Donna, you'll have judging duties.
Definitely make it all up. That's more fun for me. Contacting him would a) feel like research and b) make him think the story is about him. Don't want either of those two things.
YAYYYYY!!!!
I'm gonna start thinking of the "talent competition" portion of the pageant. :)
Why do I have a feeling this "talent" will include the phrase, "Look, Donna, no hands!"
Yeah, I don't know why you have that feeling. LOL
Any talent competition I'd run would be all about the hands!
I feel like the mad hatter chasing his tail this evening so regrettably haven't time to read all the lovely comments.
This is such a thoughtful blog though that I just had to be there among the posts as Donna achieves her maiden century (legit cricketing term....oh never mind! *grin*).
I don't have a completed full length manuscript but the existing fragment started with the title 'In the Shadow of Lords'. Its about a young girl in Regency times who has a prodigious talent for the game of cricket. Lords is home of the Marlyebone cricket club (MCC) and the acknowledged center of the cricketing world. But women's cricket was very much in the shade (or shadow!).
Like so much in those times, cricket was predominantly a man's sport. I think the story started after some repartee on the EJ/JQ BB when I tried to explain the game of cricket to some dumb Americans and Terri dared me to write a novel. :lol:
I do think an eye catching cover and title are very important, especially for débutante writers. One that I'm looking out for is 'Bikini Car Wash' which Janga includes in her reading list for this summer. Its about a car wash run by bikini clad girls. The imagery is striking and I feel sure it will be funny. In the English papers some while back there was a picture of the ex-England football manager's girl friend sitting on the bonnet of a Mercedes in a bikini and washing the wind screen with her bottom.
Ummm! I think I should stop there! :D
Who the hell introduced the CAPTCHA code! :shock:
Q, thanks for joining in! And I'm glad I got to be mentioned in the same breath as a cricket term. LOL I have watched snippets of the game on BBC shows but don't have a clue what they're doing -- I love the ferocity of the competition though! I also think your book sounds fascinating, even more so for being DARED to write it!
Love the visual of the Bikini Car wash -- it's a no fail business I'm sure.
The Captcha code started showing up yesterday -- we're not really sure WHY though. I think it was after the blog was doing that time travelling thing.
Sorry, Q, the captcha code is to keep the spammers to a minimum...unfortunately it's punishing the choir and not the spammers. *LOL*
Chance, I'm going to ensure the talent competition I'm in charge of makes use of ALL possible talents the hotties possess. :)
Just remind me -- WHY am I having this competition again? LOL
For the cover model on my Reluctant Mr. Romance story.
Q has tried time and time again to explain cricket to me and I've yet to understand it anymore than I did before he started. I'm sorry, but that game is just not meant to be understood on this side of the water.
I have watched a bit of Rugby in the last few months. Don't completely understand that one, but I find it quite enjoyable to watch. :)
Ah, too bad Andrew couldn't pose for it...but he will hopefully get to a book on his own! Other than how philosophers fail at love...
Thanks, Bo'sun -- I clearly needed to jog my memory (and that counts as MY exercise for today! LOL)
I don't think I've watched rugby, but I can definitely support the players. LOL What's the one where they run around with the long stick with the little butterfly net on the bottom? (I'm a baseball and football kind of gal.)
Donna - That's Lacrosse. I never got into that either, but I see the kids play organized Lacrosse here. They also play field hockey, which I tried to get kiddo to try and she refused. Can you imagine if we'd be able to cross check when we were kids? LOL!
Chance - Is that the book he was writing?
That's the book he got published! Be out in January, I think. It got him thinking about love stories and he decided he wanted to write one.
Idea usually comes first. With my current project I got the idea and such and it was in the process of all the research that the title came to me. The last project got renamed so many times I had difficulty remembering it sometimes.
Welcome, Stephanie. What's the title of the current book?
It was a horrendous day and I just got to reading the comments. :(
DRD - Captive By Coercion is a historical. The heroine's the captive. It's good fun. I'll let you read whenever you feel like it. :)
I love the Asshat. I really love Dude Where's My Carriage.
And do we really need to do code now?
Marn - Is everything okay? If you log in, you won't have to do the code everytime.
Marnee ... I'm hoping that everything is okay too. Sigh.
Quantum I really do wish that you would finish up your cricket story, Shadow of Lords. I’m quite Intrigued.
‘Course how can one not be intrigued by a sport that uses terms like Maiden Century and Sticky Wicket!?
And
If I am not mistaken sir, do you not have a WIP called Sirens In Rebellion? Irresistible Women … Rebelling? Truly. Who could resist such a tale?
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