How to pick a title

[lizbeth]

Actually, titles DO pretty much come to me--mostly before my story is even finished.  My novel is called THE ART OF BEING REBEKKAH.  My main character is an artist so it fits.  But, many times publishing houses will change the name of your novel anyway.

Pick a name  that relates to what your story is about, that's really all I can say.

[spellbound]

Standing back as I don't want to be virtually slapped  

Most of my working titles come to me when I'm developing the idea for the piece. Some stay. Some change. For instance, Assignment 4 started out as Hurry Up and Stop!. Subsequent titles:Not My Fault, Who? Me? and the one I settled on Don't Become a Traffic Statistic. And, as lizbeth said, titles can be changed by the publishing houses. For instance, Stephanie Meyer named her first novel Forks. Ms. Meyer and her agent brainstormed for about a week back and forth with emails. She said she sent titles that were "words of atmosphere". The ultimate title was Twilight. A reference from somewhere in the book and a title that stuck out for both Ms. Meyer and her agent. It still had to grow on them and she's still not convinced it's the best choice.

My novel title has been the series title. I've recently been working on titles with my mentor to find one that stands out for the first book as I'm doing my final revision before submitting to an editor. As you are finding out, sometimes titles are difficult.

[Brandon]

It's a funny thing because I found naming the chapters of my current book project fairly easy, and definitely not gut wrenching like's it's been for the title of the book.  I definitely agree that titles are evil.  So very true.  Sadly, I've started using the chapter one title as my "in mind" title just so I have some way of categorizing the book.  I'm afraid the more you use a "temp" title, the better it sounds, and you often settle on it when it may not be the best choice.

[Brandon]

Because then everyone will know my evil plans. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! Wait, was that out loud???

[Marly]

How I pick my titles?  Oh, they simply appear at my fingertips.  Not!  So you can’t slap me.   I’ll just, uh, stand here next to Spell where it’s safe. 

Actually, I’m with Angelia on this one.   Titles are a chore!  I just sit down at my desk and write anything at all related to my novel (anything not over five words) and hope something pops out at me.   I’m not altogether happy with the title for the novel I’ve recently finished, but I think it’s okay.  Okay as in I’m not shedding any tears over this one.

Lizbeth, I think I’ll just have you pick my titles from now on.  Yours is really catchy!   

[MaryR]

Ah, titles have always driven me nuts!  They either appear instantly or I spend sleepless nights trying to come up with something wonderful.  I HATE it when an editor, usually at the end of the editing process, tells me casually, 'oh, and we'll need a new title'.  By Tuesday, probably.  ARRRRGGGGHHH.  Because of course I'm always happy with the one I have, or if I am not, I haven't come up with anything better.  So you have my sympathy and let's face it, the title does NOT sell the book, and it will not cost you a sale (the editor will simply tell you to come up with a new one. By Tuesday, most likely)  but a catchy one, is SO cool if you can pull it off. 

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor

[Brandon]

Voca... it might if I could remember what aliteration was.  Hang on, walking over to wikipedia.  CLIP CLOP, Clip Clop, clip clop, squeeky, click.

Click, Squeeky (Boy I need to oil down those hinges.), clip clop, Clip Clop, CLIP CLOP.  Okay, just read it.  Did I accidently alliterate with my clip clops?  Well, I'll clean it up later.