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Got to think of a good title, but damned if I can think of one.

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Published: 21Nov2007
Word count: 494
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Don't think of one, especially before writing the book. I let the story reveal it to me. Somewhere a character will say something or the atmosphere created will reveal it. I see titles as the last thing on the to do list when writing. Many book titles are changed with film adaptations. Agents and publishers have even been known to ask for a title change before publication.

What catches a reader's eye when in a bookstore or looking for books on the Internet, title or cover? My research showed cover, then the blurb on the back. Some readers become a fan of an author, so if you love, say Steven King's works, would you really care if the next book he brought out was titled, 'Sam on heat'? If you loved the book, you won't think twice about the title. Much emphasis is placed on titles for marketing purposes. I take marketing out of the equation. Personally, I let the book give me the title, which I won't change because I am the creator, it's my baby. Would you let others rename your child because they didn't like the name you called them? So why let others change the title you come up with.

I have heard it said that your title should give inkling into what your book is about. I somewhat disagree. If you have not heard of 'Mariard Volume 1', you try working out what the book is about from the title and what genre it is in. 'Signature for sunshine', 'Aus Com', 'Who would believe me'. Think about them, what do these titles tell you about the book or genre. As I wrote them, I will tell you and see if you guessed right. 'Mariard Volume 1' is fantasy, sci/fi. Mariard is the name of a god like player, yet further into the volumes, one will learn it means something entirely different. 'Signature for sunshine' A romantic comedy about an illiterate woman. Sunshine is a cocky nickname another character uses when addressing her. 'Aus Com', science fiction and the name of a building. "Who would believe me', spiritual fiction. A modern day woman is taken on a journey with Jesus; she comes back to tell her story. Did you guess right? I have tested this myself, by asking another to read off titles from online bookshops. Without seeking the cover, I have many times had no idea from the title what the book is about. If I didn't know better, 'Star Wars' could very well be about rivalry in Hollywood.

Let your creation divulge your title, whether one word or several. The more you think about it, the more you will get flustered. You can end up with something you don't like, but go with it out of desperation to regret it later. Don't ask others either, they are not the creator, you are. You own it; you name it.

Australian author Christine Jones, multi genre from science fiction to humour. http://www.cjbooks.net

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