Monday 19 October 2009

Struggling With Titles

I used to think I was quite good at naming my books. Sometimes I’d even name a book before I started the story. In a way it helped me to picture the way the stories would unfold.

But now...zilch. I have a couple of manuscripts that are almost finished and for the life of me I can't figure out what to call the darn things. I've trawled internet sites, asked friends and family (even contemplated asking perfect strangers), LOL.

Still…zilch. If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know I’m thinking of entering a contest in er...less than TWO WEEKS' time! So far the ms is called 2009 Contest. Catchy, right? I’m slowly sliding into despair.

At this rate, I'll be sending off the manuscript with the title, Sorry, Couldn't Name This One!
So I need your help.

How do you choose your titles? I'd love to steal, I mean, borrow your ideas, LOL!

Happy reading and writing everyone.

Maya

10 comments:

  1. For Harlequin Presents contest? *cracks knuckles* all right, I might be able to help with that!! I'm not entering this year since I have a full in with an editor, but this is my line. :-)

    Soooo...what's it about? Because yeah, that matters. :-) I went with clever title on my first MS, but honestly, for marketing it will probably be renamed if it sells, so anymore I just go with Presents style titles.

    You know Taming his Virgin Mistress or whatever.

    Gimme some key words and I'll see if I can give you some ideas!

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  2. LOL Maisey (just imagining you cracking your knuckles). Okay here goes - I have secret baby that the heroine had no idea was a secret baby, a grumpy Italian who's always wanted to be a father, an evil half brother impersonating said grumpy Italian and a restraining order thrown in for good measure. Work your magic! I like Taming His Virgin Mistress, btw!

    Maya

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  3. LOL!! *Not really cracking knuckles because I don't know how and it's bad for you anyway*

    We could go with the obvious: The Italian Tycoon's Secret Baby (or love child), The Tycoon's Suprise Baby, The Italian Playboy's Love Child, The Grumpy Italian's Fertile Loins (okay NOT that)

    Um...any other elements? Virginity? Mistresses? MOC's? As you can see, I'm having too much fun. :-D

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  4. And also, if Taming His Virgin Mistress or some variation thereof works for you, I'm not using it. :-)

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  5. Yeesh, I need Maisey around to help name my books, too! I hate choosing titles for nearly all my books.

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  6. LOL, Piper. Maisey, looks like you have a fan! Thanks for offering Taming his Virgin Mistress, but I'm thinking with the secret baby thing, virgin doesn't quite ring true, unless it's an immaculate conception. Hmmm, there's an idea!

    Maya

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  7. Well, one never knows where the baby actually came from! (evil twin?) :-)

    Uh...Taming His WIllful Mistress. :-P

    Secret Baby, Unwilling Wife?

    Maisey

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  8. And I appreciate the compliments on my title prowess. LOL. Maybe I should try to get hired creating marketable titles?

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  9. Secret Baby, Unwilling Wife. OMG! I think we have a winner. Thanks Maisey.

    Maya

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