I'm amazed that I've actually kept up with the blogging to stay on schedule. November might be my first perfect month ever (posting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). If I finish NaNo, this month will have been very productive. I still have no idea what to do for my 100th post. There's still time to figure it out, though.
I know I've talked about it before, and certainly other bloggers have as well, but I've been thinking about how hard it is to come up with a title. I tried some brainstorming this weekend, but it didn't go well. Every so often I'll think I'm on to something, but it never pans out. I'll usually have some smidgen of an idea, then go through the thesaurus (and the geometry textbook I got for $12 on Amazon) trying to find the words that fit that idea. And nothing ever seems right.
Titles are hard. You have to find some way to both summarize what your novel is about and draw in the reader so that they want to pick up your book in the first place. Sometimes it seems impossible. How could I possibly summarize my entire novel in just a few words, maybe even one?
When I first started my book as a short story, it had a title. That title worked. But as I developed the story into a novel, things changed. I pretty much eliminated any reference to that title, as well as any symbolic meaning that it held. It just wouldn't make sense anymore with how the novel stands now. Then there was the fiasco of the forced title, The Formula, which I feel is heading in the right direction but isn't there yet. I honestly think it needs to be more complex, because the novel itself, or the relationship that I'm writing about, is a complex one.
Maybe it's too complex. I try thinking about how I would describe my novel to other people (forgetting the fact that I usually just avoid the question), and it's always a long, drawn out explanation. I can't seem to simplify it. I could make a list of words that fit for it, but none of them stand out or fit together to make something that feels right.
Usually when I brainstorm, I just drive myself crazy and then give up on it entirely for months. Why is coming up with one phrase so much harder than writing an entire novel of complex words, characters, and situations? Will I just go insane trying to come up with one before I even get close?
It does kind of drive me nuts sometimes, which is why I avoid it. Maybe if I actually get that synopsis I've been talking so much about done, someone else will be able to look at it and come up with some ideas.
How do you guys come up with titles? Does it drive you insane? Is there such a thing as a perfect title?
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Have you read Ksenia Anske's recent article on the subject? I think a perfect title exists for some books, but not others.
ReplyDeleteLike writing a synopsis, writing a title will help you understand what your novel is about. So I'd say, keep working on that synopsis. :)
I did read her post, that was actually what got me thinking about it. I found I couldn't answer the questions she asked me in response to my comment: "When you tell people what your novel is about, what't the first word that comes out of you mouth? If I asked you to write 1 sentence here about your novel, what would it be?"
DeleteI think you're right, the synopsis should help. It's about boiling down the story to what it's really about and not focusing on every single detail. At least that's a start in the right direction.
My goodness, I know what you mean! Lately though, I've taken a different view. When it comes to branding yourself as an author you really have to figure out what's at your core, what drives your need to tell stories. I think with each book you have to do the same thing. What is the heart of the story, the basic emotion or theme. The title answer will come from there. If all else fails, get your concept written down and throw it at several writing friends to get their ideas. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to dissect my book and figure out the themes to try to find something for the title. So far I've just written some short paragraphs that looked like the kind of papers I wrote for AP English...
DeleteUsually the title is where a book begins for a reader so it's important to have something that works. Simplicity is sometimes the best route, but obscurity might prod curiosity so that might work as well. So many routes to go in selecting a title. I think going with something that's relatively catchy, memorable, and not overly complicated is the best way to go.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that title!
Lee
Wrote By Rote
I think something too simple might be selling my book too short, but I don't want something too complicated either. It's just so difficult to decide.
DeleteI sometimes get the title first and then work a story around it. The novel that's currently resting doesn't have a final title yet - very unusual for me - and I have no idea. It's almost like I'm past the title - now the story's done I don't need one... Unfortunately I don't have a suggestion apart from brainstorm: get a large piece of paper, start with the original title and write down every idea, however silly, no censoring. The right title might appear. Good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a weird feeling to have a story be finished and still have no title for it.
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