Carol E Wyer on an amusing look titling you book…Fifty Shades of Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code!
Only recently did I discover the true importance of your book title. I don’t know about other authors but I agonised over the title of my first novel which had a working title of A Twinkle in your Wrinkle. I changed that to Facing 50 with Humour, after my blog and indeed the blog that Amanda Wilson, my main character, is supposed to write.
I didn’t like either and when I wasn’t writing or thinking about the plot, I mused over the title. I believed that eventually a light would go on in my head before I submitted the final piece. Alas! Not so much as a dim flicker and 124,000 words later I still had no title I liked.
I asked my husband who came up with the brainwave Fifty Not Out. On the basis that that particular title sounded as if it belonged to a cricket manual, I discounted it. Three sleepless nights later I had a list of possible titles: High Heels and Hot Flushes, Tick Tock, Amanda Wilson’s Secret Blog and Adventures in Blogland among others. (Okay, the last two were really desperate.) I asked the many followers of my blog to vote for their favourite. Opinions were so divided that I was not much further forward although I had narrowed it down to five possible titles.
I took the five titles onto the streets of Solihull where I asked women who were shopping which was their favourite. Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines very quickly became a popular choice. I was happy. Even Hubby approved. He liked the play on the words ‘laughter lines’. After a long afternoon and many weeks of anguish I finally had my title.
Earlier this month I was launched my latest novel, Surfing in Stilettos. One lady in the audience who read Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines has written to me several times since finishing the book. She loved it. She enjoyed it so much that she made sure all her friends read it and brought them along to the launch of the new book. She has sent the most wonderful emails to me thanking me for giving her such a good laugh and for making her realise there are so many other women who go through the same emotions as her and who feel the same way she does about getting older.
During the question and answer session though, she threw me. She asked how I decided upon titles for my books. I explained and she duly nodded. She then told me that had the book not been highly recommended to her, she would never have picked it up. The title would have put her off. She felt it was too chick-lit for the actual novel. She felt it didn’t do the book justice.
Now, I must add here that this lady has been a wonderful fan and very generous with her praise and support. I took her comment seriously. I thought long and hard about what she had said. It made me realise that how we chose our titles has far more significance than maybe we realise. If I had named my novel differently would I now be in the South of France aboard my new yacht, sipping champagne and enjoying the fruits of my hard work?
How should we choose the titles of our books? I don’t know yet but between you and me I have changed the title of my next novel. I thought I might call it Fifty Shades of Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code- or maybe The Twilight Woman with a Dragon Tattoo and a Gruffalo. What do you think?
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Very interesting post, Carol. I have already changed the title of my work in progress twice. It started off as Empty nests and thermal vests, then, when I changed the plot line, it changed to Barking mad, to explain the dog loving protagonist. Who knows, may be it will end up as The Philosophers stone and the slobber cloth of Hogwarts....x
ReplyDeleteI love 'Barking Mad'! I tried using Empty Nests in my title too but removed it after I found out lots of people use it in their blog titles.
DeleteIn the end it is what feels right to you. I knew my title 'Surfing in Stilettos' before I had written the book and yet for my forthcoming novel I have changed title twice.
'The Slobber Cloth of Hogwarts' could work...I'll test it out on the streets for you. Good luck!
I love Barking Mad too, think I may keep that one. It came to me when I pictured my sister, who, with several drooling dogs never leaves the house without her slobber cloth....good luck out on those streets.x p.s how about "Harry Potter goes skateboarding in sling backs" as the title of your next best seller? research on the streets may be needed....xxx
DeleteI love Barking Mad too, think I may keep that one. It came to me when I pictured my sister, who, with several drooling dogs never leaves the house without her slobber cloth....good luck out on those streets.x p.s how about "Harry Potter goes skateboarding in sling backs" as the title of your next best seller? research on the streets may be needed....xxx
DeleteHey! You could be onto something there with the sling back idea. Drooling dogs - yes, I can picture those. My son has two like that. Barking Mad it is then.
DeleteVery interesting post, Carol. I have already changed the title of my work in progress twice. It started off as Empty nests and thermal vests, then, when I changed the plot line, it changed to Barking mad, to explain the dog loving protagonist. Who knows, may be it will end up as The Philosophers stone and the slobber cloth of Hogwarts....x
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of your books (yet!) Carol but I love the titles... you certainly do go to a lot of hard work to get the right one. In fact, I feel a little ashamed that I have neglected my own titles a little bit. I think for my first book I took the easy way out, calling it Raven. The second book, December Moon, just worked because that is the name of a character and the third title, The Lost Soul, was mentioned so many times in the book that it just seemed the natural thing to call it!
ReplyDeleteI am most proud of my newest title though, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw. I think it has a certain ring to it. I just hope that the book buying public will agree!
Oh, by the way, I really loved the title High Heels and Hot Flushes... I think you should keep that for a possible sequel!!
Thanks very much Suzy. I have to disagree with you though because I thought Raven was a great title. However, I coveted the title December Moon when I discovered it. What a cracking name for a character. Often strong character names work well in titles.
DeleteAs for your next title - it's a winner.
Maybe I should ask you for help with my next book title - you have the knack!
Aww thanks Carol! And I think the same about you :)
ReplyDeleteWe need to form a mutual appreciation society Suzy!
DeleteThink your titles are perfect Carol and Surfing in Stilettos is a great book. Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines is on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteAs I think I've mentioned before, all my titles with one exception are song titles. With Love Lies and Promises I scanned the British Book of Hit Singles until I was quite cross-eyed, couldn't find anything and ended up taking the main ingredients from the story, which worked well. My current WIP has the title sorted and the cover already designed. Maybe some would see this as hasty, but on this particular book, both cover and title came together as soon as I was finalising the plot and I decided to commit straight away. Now all I have to do is complete the novel!
Thank you very much Jo.
DeleteI use song titles for all my blog posts and have been doing so for two years. Sometimes it takes more time to choose an appropriate title than write the post but it's loads of fun and reminds me of songs I had forgotten. I also think they make great titles hence I grabbed 'Follow You, Follow Me' for a little WIP to come out later this year. (A short story for my blog followers)
Sometimes the title just comes first and like you I had Surfing in Stilettos's cover and title ready before I wrote the book and I have done the same with FYFM. If you have a good idea it's best to get it finalised. besides, it might make us write the book faster!
My next novel is proving more of a challenge but I think I'll just keep on writing it and float titles in my head. One will stand out as a winner.
I think your titles are bubbly - uplifting and reflect content very well. So too the front cover images - in keeping with content, and kind of grown up chick-lit! ;)
ReplyDeleteWorking titles are the form at base camp here, and the published title usually springs from a line within the book. I can't be doing with worrying over a title before I've penned the darn book. ;)
best
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I was touched by your comment Francine. It's a huge compliment. You 'get' my books and my intention was always to convey a sense of bubbly fun with the titles and the cover.
DeleteIf I chose a line from one of my books it would probably end up being a very long title - Amanda does spout on at times!
Thank you.
Your ttiles are great and so perfect for your books, Surfing in Stilettos how could you improve on that? You can't LOL!
ReplyDeleteI guess I should retire now I'm at the top of my game Pauline! Many thanks for your kind comments though. I was pretty pleased with 'Surfing in Stilettos' I must admit - but you know me and there will be some more surprises yet.
DeleteGreat titles for you books, Carol, although I did laugh at A Twinkle in Your Wrinkle,(mmm, might pinch that for my next blog title) Book titles are always difficult to decide and often working title often changes. One of my books I couldn't decide on title for long while and still refer to it as my Greek Geek. Needless to say that won't be what it will be published as. Fun as ever. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kit.
DeleteI entered the book for a competition with that title and it won! Help yourself to the title for your blog post all royalties are gratefully received :)
Greek Geek - that sounds very intriguing. Can't wait to see what it is finally published as.
Great titles, Carol and thanks for the post. I think that titling a book is where traditionally published authors have an edge over independently published authors. I know that editors at mainstream publishing houses, having worked at one, usually change whatever the author picks and themselves agonize over titles, chosen, most often, by polling their peers.
ReplyDeleteAh those traditionally published authors have such an easy life! till, they can't have as much fun running titles past their friends and family :)
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment Susan. I didn't know that.
I think it's really difficult to choose a title for your book. Though with my latest novel, Nightingale Woods was pretty easy to muster up. Whether it'll get changed I really don't know a this stage, but I think it's something we do have to think carefully about.
ReplyDeleteNo, don't change it. It's perfect! I'll start a campaign to keep it for you :)
DeleteYup, I'd go with that title. Often think Bleak Expectations would have gone down well. War and Peas? ooh now I'm thinking....
ReplyDeleteGuffawing loudly at your comment Carol - War and Peas!
DeleteSorry to add my comment late. I think your titles are masterful. Am surprised at the angst that went into them. But then....I suppose we always credit others with being more quick-witted and intelligent,than we are, that things come more easily for them, or is that just me? Titles are a very sore point. I think I have more trouble with the title than with the rest of the book. It's a good thing I'm not very productive these days.
ReplyDeleteCarol, You crack me up! Laughing out loud here. The reason I even read this post was ALL ABOUT THE TITLE! I am enjoying and living vicariously as I watch you jumping thru all the hoops of writing and publishing your books. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteRosemary