Titles matter. A lot. Every writer knows this, and so does every publisher, producer and reader. Titles draw us in or turn us off; titles are clear or disastrously muddled; titles stick with us or slide off our brains without leaving a trace.
Last night, I had the pleasure of sitting in on a mini-writing workshop, of sorts, with the editor, author and agent Betsy Lerner, in conversation with the author Alissa Quart. (Betsy's groundbreaking book, one of my all-time favorites about writing, The Forest for The Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers, was recently reissued and updated -- don't miss it.) It was our first stab at something we've been mulling called "She Writes Live!", in which attendees don't just sit there while an illustrious author reads at them, but instead write in response to prompts from authors they love, and share what they've written if they wish.
Betsy, of course, had her own twist on the evening. She wanted everyone in the room to share their titles, and then, as a form of market research, to ask the group for their response. Two things about this fascinated me: 1) everyone in attendance had a title, even if they hadn't started a book; and 2) talking about the titles was an excellent way of talking about the books, finished or just begun...and getting to the heart of them.
So in the spirit of taking all things good and sharing them on She Writes, I thought I'd invite all She Writers to participate in a virtual "title workshop."
What's your title? Tell us.
What do you think of other people's titles? Tell them.
Be constructive, as ever, but be honest, as we won't help each other if we aren't. I just spoke with a writer who works in television who told me that TV producers are actually optioning books these days just for the title. Not the book. The title. Which should tell you something about how make-or-break a title can be.
I will give feedback and invite Alissa and Betsy, who are title-savants, to do the same.
KEY POINT -- DO IT ON THE DISCUSSION THREAD I'VE SET UP SO WE CAN EASILY COMMENT ON ONE ANOTHER'S TITLES!
Boundary Streetis the working title of my China memoir. It's about my marriage to a man from rural China. I thought I should have a subtitle, but can't find anything I like.
I wrote a poetry collection, " A Decent Voodoo" to be published on Cervena Barva. The collection is largely based on me finding a way to understand the world, religion, my family, etc. And for me, the voodoo involved in this is poetry. Bad? Good? Catchy?
My biography (of sorts) of the Holocaust rescuer and librarian, Ona Simaite, just went into production. Here's what I'm working with:
Beloved Profession: A Librarian and the Holocaust in Vilna.
another option is...
Ghost Writing: A Librarian and the Holocaust in Vilna
Note: The librarian I write about called librarianship the "beloved profession," and the turn of phrase comes up a few times. I'd love to know what you think.
I wanted to add that everyone should consider tweeting their titles, too, with the hashtag #swtw (she writes title workshop), to get more feedback via Twitter!
I won't make excuses, just think unreliable narrator: Shiny Red Plastic Men from Mars. That's all.
Boundary Streetis the working title of my China memoir. It's about my marriage to a man from rural China. I thought I should have a subtitle, but can't find anything I like.
My working title is:
Pho for Three: an unexpected love story
What's the best way here to comment on others' titles. Just in a separate comment like this? Or can you comment somehow on their comment post?
White Girl in Black Face (title of my blog http:/ / whitegirlblackface.com ... and anticipated title for my memoir)
The Spirits of My Paradise -translated from Spanish 'Los Espiritus de Mi Paraiso'
Thanks for this post!
I wrote a poetry collection, " A Decent Voodoo" to be published on Cervena Barva. The collection is largely based on me finding a way to understand the world, religion, my family, etc. And for me, the voodoo involved in this is poetry. Bad? Good? Catchy?
THE RED MOON~ BLOOD + LOVE + DEATH
My biography (of sorts) of the Holocaust rescuer and librarian, Ona Simaite, just went into production. Here's what I'm working with:
Beloved Profession: A Librarian and the Holocaust in Vilna.
another option is...
Ghost Writing: A Librarian and the Holocaust in Vilna
Note: The librarian I write about called librarianship the "beloved profession," and the turn of phrase comes up a few times. I'd love to know what you think.
The Dog-Gone Good Cookbook for Humans and their Canine Kids
Working title: Unintended Victims
I fret about it often, wondering if it conveys what I want it to.
You're Beautiful, You're Rock n' Roll (working title for memoir)
Extraordinary Detailsis my working title right now.
From Kailas to Kali - one woman's search for personal power in high and low places
Working title for completed Memoir, just sent queries and proposals to select Agents! Yeah.
Curious to hear what you think? Ideas very welcome.
My WIP has "Blood Moon Betrayed" as the working title.
The Devil's Oak - working title, of course...
Strolling Naked in Italy - is the working title for one of the books I am working on.
Would love to know what others think.
Thanks for this post Kamy!
I wanted to add that everyone should consider tweeting their titles, too, with the hashtag #swtw (she writes title workshop), to get more feedback via Twitter!