Recent Posts
Writers use many ways to name their novels and short stories. Some authors develop their story names from characters, others use theme, and still others use plot. Below are some suggestions on where to get ideas for your story titles.
Titles from Characters
Some authors name books after their protagonists. Consider Johanna Spyri’s classic children’s story Heidi, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or Stephen King’s Carrie. Other classics named for the book’s main characters include Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Screenplay writers use this technique, too. Examples include Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison, the Indiana Jones movies, Arthur, and Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump. My historical romance novel published by Kensington uses this technique since I named it Night Singer, which is the name of my heroine.
Another character-related title option is to use a phrase that somehow describes the character’s personality, vocation, or dramatic situation in the story instead of giving your story the same name as the character. Consider John Fowles’ book The French Lieutenant’s Woman or Stephen King’s Firestarter. The Dark Knight in the Batman film series utilizes this titling strategy as do the Terminator films. My own short story "The Fire Scryer" uses this technique, too, since the protagonist is a woman who can divine the future from candle flames.
Titles from Genre Buzz Words
Another way to title a story is from buzz words common to the story’s genre. Mysteries, for example, often incorporate “mystery of,” “mystery at,” or “the case of” in their titles. Romances frequently feature bride, baby, or cowboy in their titles. Western titles may include revenge or showdown or battle. Paranormals may feature words like ghost, vampire, or witch in their titles.
Titles from Plot
Some story titles hint at the plot and/or genre of the story. Sue Grafton’s B is for Burglar reveals that the story will somehow concern a burglary. Back to the Future indicates that the film of that title involves time travel. Star Wars indicates that the film of the same title involves a war set in space. Stephen King’s Misery hints that the protagonist will suffer. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells you all you need to know about the plot of this classic film.
Titles from Setting
Often a story’s title refers to the setting. Consider the classic movie Bridge Over the River Kwai or the popular 1980’s television hit Beverly Hills 90210. Bronte’s classic novel Wuthering Heights and television’s Downton Abbey also utilize this technique as does my ghost story "The New House".
More Title Tips
Ideally, a story’s title helps clue the reader in on what kind of book she’s buying. It should reveal character, plot, setting, and/or genre. Short titles work best, too. Note how many classics or current bestsellers have one- or two-word titles.
Take a look at the title of your current story. Is it short? Does it hint at the character, plot, setting, or genre? If not, can you think of a short title that does?
Literary agent Laurie McLean, formerly with the Larsen Pomada Agency, has joined with several other agents to form a brand new literary agency called Foreword Literary. This new agency handles a variety of genres including romance, sci fi and fantasy, middle grade and YA fiction, and more. For more details, click here to visit the agency's website. Some of their current clients include romance author Lisa Kessler, thriller writer Ransom Stephens, and YA writer Julie Kagawa.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, new agencies or new agents at more established agencies represent a great opportunity for writers because they are looking for new clients. Laurie McLean made many sales while at her former agency and helped launch Julie Kagaway's career. If you have a completed manuscript in one of the genres Laurie or one of her fellow agents at Foreword handles, consider querying them.
Follow me on Twitter @Storyista.
Today we have as our blog guest mystery and non-fiction writer, Linda Swink, to talk about her book Life on a $5 Bet. To learn more about this talented writer and her work, visit her web site here.
1) What inspired you to write Life on a $5 Bet?
It wasn’t so much an inspiration as it was a desire to tell the story of a remarkable man.
2) What one thing would you like readers to know about you?
Be careful; be very careful around me. What you say and do could one day end up in one of my books. That aside, I hold a degree in journalism and began my writing career as a contributor to military newspapers, and later to consumer and trade magazines. I am passionate about writing and writing daily.
3) What one thing would you like readers to know about Life on a $5 Bet?
Life on a $5 Bet is about Major General Edward Mechenbier who went from being a high-spirited fighter pilot full of hopes and dreams to a prisoner of war, held in the infamous Hanoi Hilton for nearly six years. He lived through hell at the merciless hands of prison guards and tortuous interrogators, but never lost his sense of humor or duty to his country. The story is an inspiration to all.
4) What is the most enjoyable aspect of writing for you?
I enjoy research, but the downside is I sometimes get lost in it. I’m often amazed when I look up to discover hours have passed.
5) What is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?
With so many distractions such as housework, family, and obligations it is sometimes difficult to stay focused. Other than that, I enjoy all aspects of the craft, even the most difficult such as writing a synopsis.
6) Who or what has most influenced you as a writer?
I was fortunate to have a wonderful teacher in college who encouraged me to write.
7) What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Follow your own voice. Don’t try to write like someone else. Attend writing conferences and workshops. Learn not only how to craft a story but the business of writing. Learn what is happening in the industry, what editors want and don’t want. Call yourself a writer - believe deep down that you are a writer above all else. If you are truly a writer and not just a “wannabe” you will have the passion and drive to write above all else.
8) What upcoming projects are you working on?
I currently have three novels in the works. One, Grave Secrets, a historical mystery, is at the publisher awaiting publication. Another, Deadly Promise, is in the editing stage, and the last, Ribbon Rapist, is being revised. I would like to write another non-fiction book.
Mystery Author Jim Jackson
Today we welcome Jim Jackson as our featured author interview on Wordophilia. His mystery novel Bad Policy will be released by Barking Rain Press on March 5, 2013. This story won the Evan Marshall Fiction Makeover Contest and features protagonist Seamus McCree, a private financial investigator
[ Click here to read more ]
Today’s readers grow up with television, a medium that consists of all dialogue and action and no introspection. Because of this, many readers look for passages of dialogue and skim over long passages of narrative when reading novels. As an avid category romance reader from Texas once put it, “I skip anything that isn’t dialogue or sex.” To please the majority of readers, then, your novel should contain more dialogue than narrative.
In addition, to be effective, your dialogue must serve a specific purpose in each scene. It should reveal character, further the plot, or help establish the setting or ambience. Consider the following example
[ Click here to read more ]
How much money do novelists make? It depends on the genre, the publishing company, and the publishing format. It can even depend on the writer’s agent. One agent may garner larger advances for her clients than another.
Publishers Weekly offers information on book sales and advances. If an agent isn’t publicizing his or her sales in PW, it may be because that agent isn’t making large enough sales to warrant publicizing them. Most first time authors in most genres won’t get huge advances. Science FIction and Fantasy author Tobias Bucknell has surveyed science fiction and fantasy authors a couple of times on his blog and found that the median advance for first time authors in both genres is $5000. Not surprisingly, the median advance for agented first time authors surpasses that of unagented first time authors. In the romance genre, author Brenda Hiatt maintains a database with earnings information provided by authors who complete her voluntary survey. Her data includes earn out as well as advance figures
[ Click here to read more ]
The Cindi Myers Market News blog reports that Prime Books is launching a new digital imprint called Masque Books. This imprint launches in July 2013 and will feature Science Fiction and Fantasy and Science Fiction and Fantasy Romance. While books will be published in digital format at first, they may be issued as print books at a later date. Masque pays a small advance against royalties of 50% net for digital editions.
Length: Novellas from 30,000 to 50,000 word and novels of 50,000 to 120,000 words
[ Click here to read more ]
Every fiction genre gives an award to outstanding books in that genre. Romance writers can earn a RITA, Science Fiction and Fantasy writers can earn a Nebula or Hugo, Mystery Writers can earn an Edgar, Western Writers a Spur, Children’s Writers can earn a Newberry Medal, and Christian writers can earn a Carol. How important, though, do readers consider these awards? Do awards translate into larger advances or increased sales?
Awards undoubtedly help generate publicity and garner media attention, and no author can ever get enough of either. Accolades and awards also look good on an author’s bio, and honors indicate a writer’s work stands out in some way. Publishers often mention awards on a book’s cover, too
[ Click here to read more ]
Today, we're pleased to have as our blog guest Rose Vanden Eynden, author of Merlyn's Raven, a fantasy romance set in 5th Century Wales. The novel chronicles the love of young Gwendydd for the druid apprentice who becomes the great Merlin of Arthurian legend. If you enjoy Arthurian tales and historical tales, you will enjoy this book about the young Merlin and his relationship with Gwendydd.
[ Click here to read more ]
|
|
|
Add Comments
Read More
Comments (3)
Comment by Wyan 1
on BIRD NEWS:78
Wordophilia