tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post4109517505847580364..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: Title Me ThisTerri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-7627438816983485142010-05-26T10:15:52.000-04:002010-05-26T10:15:52.000-04:00YAYYYYY!!!!I'm gonna start thinking of the &qu...YAYYYYY!!!!<br><br>I'm gonna start thinking of the "talent competition" portion of the pageant. :)Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-14377358473869674432010-05-26T13:00:30.000-04:002010-05-26T13:00:30.000-04:00Donna - That's Lacrosse. I never got into that...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!<br><br>Chance - Is that the book he was writing?Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-70453232259241323192010-05-26T16:42:02.000-04:002010-05-26T16:42:02.000-04:00It was a horrendous day and I just got to reading ...It was a horrendous day and I just got to reading the comments. :( <br><br>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. :)<br><br>I love the Asshat. I really love Dude Where's My Carriage. <br><br>And do we really need to do code now?Marnee Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-31216051664319609162010-05-25T20:37:42.000-04:002010-05-25T20:37:42.000-04:00Some lovely titles I bought for the title...and ne...Some lovely titles I bought for the title...and never regretted it... <i>The Thread That Binds the Bones, The Silent Strength of Stone, A Fistful of Sky.</i> All by Nini Kiriki Hoffman. Loved a bunch of Charles de Lint and George C. Chesbro...<i>Shadow of a Broken Man, City of Whispering Stone...</i> I love a good title.<br><br>I dithered a bit with <i>A Caribbean Spell</i>...thought of <i>A Magical Sea, Moonstone Magic...</i> (The ships name is Moonstone.)<br><br><i>The Alien Library</i>? Come on, love that one. <i>Foxoddness</i>...yup, like that, too. But <i>Adam's Wings</i> sucks. As I rewrite and revise I hope I find a better title.<br><br>I've never read from a title that disappointed, but I seldom buy from title alone. From author alone and been disappointed, you bet.<br><br><i>The Kraken's Mirror</i> was <i>The Kraken's Portal</i>, 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...<i>The Zeppelin in a Mirror</i> ... that is not going to stick, I already know it. Though I like the zeppelin in there somewhere...<br><br>I like puns for mysteries and comedies. The same with plays on song titles.2nd Chancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-44561036428267897432010-05-26T02:37:08.000-04:002010-05-26T02:37:08.000-04:00I always struggle with titles, and they never come...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.<br><br>I adore the phrase "A short step to crazy" - that's hilarious! My current WIP is <i>White Lie</i>, 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 <i>False Move</i>, 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!halnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-85323686351600951312010-05-26T03:11:15.000-04:002010-05-26T03:11:15.000-04:00I hate titling. :( I'm like Hal; they never ...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.Marnee Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-22443753641934611412010-05-26T04:01:36.000-04:002010-05-26T04:01:36.000-04:00Chance, I love your titles! I like Moonstone Magi...Chance, I love your titles! I like <i>Moonstone Magic</i>, so if you don't use it for <i>A Caribbean Spell</i>, you should recycle it! <i>Alien Library</i> and <i>Foxoddness</i> -- I would pick those up just because of the titles. And of course <i>The Kraken's Mirror</i> is priceless.<br><br>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!Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-52970904983110404172010-05-26T04:08:07.000-04:002010-05-26T04:08:07.000-04:00Hal, maybe it's because I'm a packrat, but...Hal, maybe it's because I'm a packrat, but it's like titles find ME! LOL Like <i>A Short Step to Crazy</i> -- smacked me right in the head, which is a good thing, since it's filled with awesome sauce. :)<br><br><i>White Lie</i> 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.)<br><br>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)Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-43299589181777451812010-05-26T04:14:50.000-04:002010-05-26T04:14:50.000-04:00Marn, some books really are untitleable. LOL The...Marn, some books really are untitleable. LOL The book I mentioned above is like that. I may just have to start calling it, <i>Here, Read This</i> because I can't come up with anything original that describes the book. <br><br>Although sometimes a title comes to you in the midst of writing the book or revising it. Is <i>Captive by Coercion</i> a historical? I need to know who the captive is here. :)Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-12908180403599319822010-05-26T04:35:19.000-04:002010-05-26T04:35:19.000-04:00I get characters first, then they give me some clu...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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-25799749799409644762010-05-26T04:51:50.000-04:002010-05-26T04:51:50.000-04:00Great. Now this morning I've got the code. Cha...Great. Now this morning I've got the code. Chanceroo, did you tattle on me AGAIN?! Filthy rotten pirate...<br><br>Fcking code. I can't read the damned thing to type it in.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-76363483046744298802010-05-26T04:58:49.001-04:002010-05-26T04:58:49.001-04:00Kim Harrison does a take on old Clint Eastwood mov...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.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-21445532973244205822010-05-26T04:58:49.000-04:002010-05-26T04:58:49.000-04:00Damn it, I was going to mention Leslie Langtry. I ...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. <br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>Current titles:<br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.Hellienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-7291758482878630042010-05-26T05:10:43.000-04:002010-05-26T05:10:43.000-04:00I'm sorry, but The Cowboy is cracking me up, w...I'm sorry, but <i>The Cowboy</i> 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 <i>The Cowboy</i>. <br><br>To be fair, mine so far have been <i>My Anna</i> (short erotic romance), <i>Letting Go</i> (which I eventually had to let go), and <i>Playing For Keeps</i> (the current WIP about the baseball player and the HS teacher).Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-10919909477689716962010-05-26T05:15:43.000-04:002010-05-26T05:15:43.000-04:00I want to Dude, Where is My Carriage. LMFAO"D...I want to Dude, Where is My Carriage. LMFAO<br><br>"Dude."<br>"Where is the blasted carriage."<br>*blank staring into darkness*<br>"I think we're in the coat closet."<br>"Duuuuude."Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-62743543871054206982010-05-26T05:17:04.000-04:002010-05-26T05:17:04.000-04:00To be fair, I had about a half dozen manuscripts I...To be fair, I had about a half dozen manuscripts I was scratching ideas for--<br><br>1.) The cowboy one<br>2.) One with a Highlander, time travel, and a witch--titled: The Highlander<br>3.) A revolutionary war one, ghost, present day and past--titled: Shadow's Embrace (see my roots with Love's Savage Embrace, huh, huh?)<br>4.) A stand alone attempt at the Lucy novel, titled: Redemption (that's original)<br><br>So you might sense a theme I had with one or two word titles. Trying to be all serious and seductive...Hellienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-5651078157266081042010-05-26T05:19:23.001-04:002010-05-26T05:19:23.001-04:00Letting Go (which I eventually had to let go)It pr...<i>Letting Go (which I eventually had to let go)</i><br><br>It probably is ill advised to title things in which a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy might rear its ugly head.Hellienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-32698865131207994782010-05-26T05:19:23.000-04:002010-05-26T05:19:23.000-04:00Bo'sun, I like those Leslie Langtry titles too...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. LOLDonnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-26929824753431654902010-05-26T05:21:52.000-04:002010-05-26T05:21:52.000-04:00Sin, I've got the "Captcha Code" tod...Sin, I've got the "Captcha Code" today too -- I don't mind it, except for those creepy earthworm-looking things in there. LOL<br><br>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!Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-56005392586626313092010-05-26T05:24:31.000-04:002010-05-26T05:24:31.000-04:00Hellie, and you think you can't come up with t...Hellie, and you think you can't come up with titles?! <i>Dude, Where's My Carriage?</i> TOTALLY rocks! LOLDonnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-62213104731728995572010-05-26T05:25:57.000-04:002010-05-26T05:25:57.000-04:00Bo'sun, I like Playing for Keeps -- it sounds ...Bo'sun, I like <i>Playing for Keeps</i> -- it sounds romantic AND ties in to the baseball player. I'd buy it. :)Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-56542194423236245322010-05-26T05:27:30.000-04:002010-05-26T05:27:30.000-04:00I am, what you would call, an odd person. I someti...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.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-19025845259532043252010-05-26T05:28:40.001-04:002010-05-26T05:28:40.001-04:00I'm not getting any code. This is SO weird. Pe...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?<br><br>Huh.<br><br>Hellie - Excellent point. And proven by the fact the one I named <i>Playing For Keeps</i> is the one I'm actually finishing. LOL!Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-87809028084538228712010-05-26T05:28:40.000-04:002010-05-26T05:28:40.000-04:00I can't take credit for Dude Where's My Ca...I can't take credit for Dude Where's My Carriage? That was a sarcastic title that the Vano kids came up with. <br><br>As I said: I suck.Hellienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-16525090498496711062010-05-26T05:29:59.001-04:002010-05-26T05:29:59.001-04:00I love being right.I love being right.Hellienoreply@blogger.com