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How about the INSECURITIES? Got some? Well, if so, you've come to the right place.
Welcome to June's #IWSG First Wednesday of the Month.
This was Alex Cavanaugh's idea and it has grown each year.
Our co-hosts this month are the awesome Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
The Question (optional) is
What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?
My answer is TITLES. Sometimes they're quite evident, but most of the time, not so much. The characters kind of name themselves. And they are particular, I can tell you. One even corrected my spelling of her name recently. Of course, she was right. Her name is better starting with a C than with a K. Drat! I hate it when they prove me wrong.
I learned my lesson about titles with my first book. I had this "dynamite" title, Bad Ass Attitude, and there was no doubt in my mind that it was perfect. The publisher didn't think so. They said it might be offensive and changed it to Sliding on the Edge. I'm still sure my title was better. Offensive? What do you think?
So tell us a bit about your INSECURITIES today or your NO INSECURITIES if that's the case. Opt in or out of the question, but join in whatever way works for you.
NOTE: IN JULY, WE'LL BE POSTING ON THE 3RD!
Whatever you do, don't forget the #IWSGPit.
8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
39 comments:
Personally Lee I found the editing and finding what went into the book rather than the titles.
Loved the post.
Yvonne.
A lot f great things coming up indeed. As for the title, pffft, not offensive. But these days anything can offend someone.
Your title defined the character and I certainly don't find it offensive.
I think Bad Ass Attitude could definitely work as a title. It just depends on the work. Heh.
That would have been a fun title! Titles are the hardest for me too. I usually have my writer friends help me out there.
I like that title. DLP prefers PG or G titles, but that would've still worked for us.
@Nashvillecats2 I'd put those two items at the top of the challenging list, too.
@Pat Hatt I can't imagine anyone, especially teens being offended by that title. Oh well.
@Alex same here. And when I ask teens they vote for my title.
@Cherie Reich In this book, the sassy teen wore a T-shirt to flaunt her attitude, so it seemed perfect.
@Christine Rains Glad we share the title affliction issue! :-)
I don't find the title offensive, but I suppose it depends on the target audience. Seems to me it'd convey the sass pretty well.
Welcome back, dear Cheryl-Lee!
I am certainly not a prude but I like Sliding on the Edge a little more because it is intriguing and avoids running the risk of alienating a certain percentage of the target audience or their protective parents.
Fond as I am of word play, it easier for me to come up with titles than to name characters.
Once again it is great to see you, dear friend Cheryl-Lee. (My granddaughter had her birthday recently and loves the present I gave her - the cool black tote bag you sent.)
I certainly didn't find it offensive. Edgy maybe but that is good. I think I just read a book with the A word in the title.
You never know about titles. Once I had someone read a short story for me and they said after that the title didn't match the story, so I changed it.
T
Bad Ass Attitude is a bad ass title. I don't think it's offensive. I actually think it would've attracted more young readers.
Lots of good things coming up!
Same here. Names are no big deal.
Oddly enough, I feel that the two go hand in hand. I guess character names are easier, but titles are a close second.
I can't believe it's June already. It really doesn't feel like it should be June already.
Depending on the genre, I'd say Bad Ass Attitude could be a perfect fit.
I like your title, Bad Ass Attitude, but I like the one your editor suggested -Sliding on the Edge - better. It made me curious. What edge? A sword? A cliff? And decisions like this are always why I get second, third, or as many opinions as I can.
Bass Ass Attitude would have me picking up the book immediately. Which perhaps says something about my attitude.
I have the most trouble with titles too. My new one for now is New Story. So happy to see you here, Lee. I think of you every day and wonder how you are doing. E-mail anytime. Wishing you lots of love and support now!
I like your title, but maybe for the age group, don't know. I agree with Chrys it might have drawn in more readers.
Ha! I had to change the title of my first story as well! I had to admit that "Tortilla Bandits" was a bit more compelling than "Tortilla Capers".
I don't think your original title was offensive - or at all accusatory, as some might seem to believe (sigh). I hope you used the title in a sentence within the book ;-) I like the new title and I hope it still manages to convey your story.
Six months already! I think I need a runaway truck ramp ;-)
Hi Lee - I guess I'd better put my head into the sand and stay there ... I wouldn't have bought your book - yet no idea why ... as the title doesn't offend - yet doesn't appeal ... others obviously think differently!
But good to see you here ... titles and names just need to match somehow - I hate names that don't seem to sit right ... but obviously my head is well down in that sand!! All the best - Hilary
Your title idea isn't offensive to me, but I prefer Sliding on the Edge because there's mystery in it or a sense of danger.
Bad Ass definitely sends a message *snort*
I've done a lot so far this year, but I did fail on one of my resolutions. I missed a month of posting to my YouTube channel.
I think your title would work fine for a young adult book.
I liked your title better but I get the publisher saying nay. I ask my publisher for title help all the time.
You are right again. It's a brilliant post. :) It's interesting the title you had vs the publisher. They give off completely different vibes. I don't find it offensive but I can understand the publisher worry.
I agree with H.R. Sinclair. I think the two titles give off completely different vibes, and I wonder which is actually the better fit for your narrative. I like them both.
I love that your character corrected the spelling of their name. Since the name is the last piece of a character for me (something that turns them into an individual instead of a concept), I have never had one correct me on their name.
Titles are much harder for me. I can't write the character until I know their name.
YES! Titles are so much more difficult than character names. My current WIP has too many options, and I'm still waiting for one to pop for me. :)
I like your title! But if it was MG, I can see how language on the cover would be off-putting.
I must confess, Sliding on the Edge, is a great title. Sorry ;)
I don't find that title offensive, especially if it describes the book theme better. A nice PC title doesn't always tell the reader anything.
Hi Clem! How are you doing? Personally, I think titles have to be very specific. Don't want to upset readers if they buy a book and the title doesn't live up to its name...LOL. People definitely buy from the cover and title and maybe blurb...add page 1 for me and it's mine or not.
Personally, I don't mind curse words. Several tend to fly out of my mouth every day. But I do know that people exist that take offense. In the interest of securing the biggest audience possible, your agent's advice was probably the right way to go. As the beaver said, "Dam it."
Hey Lee,
Hope you're doing okay. Thinking about you lots. Sending you love and hugs.
I like both titles and I don't find your title offensive at all! :)
Sliding On The Edge is the perfect title for a wonderful story, Lee.
With regards to character names: my characters remain Mrs. B, Mr. X and Miss Y for a very long time.
Having said that, for me, the ‘sound’ of a name can win me over. But as wonderful as a name ‘sounds’, the aural appeal should ideally be secondary to the appropriateness of the name.
I've read many interesting IWSG posts based on the question of the month.
I read a post where the author said she researches geography and culture before settling on a name. Another IWSG participant said that a name needs to also be decade-appropriate, which makes sense if one actually wants to find the best possible name for the character.
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