Comments on: How To Pick A Title

By: Kimberly Loomis

Kimberly Loomis — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:14:34 +0000

I just hit the halfway point in this book and have just fallen completely in love with the title and so I thought I’d share, again, on this thread: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Initially I thought it was quirky, kinda funny (I mean, seriously- am I the only one who thought of a Hedgehog all dressed up in red-carpet ready gowns?!) but having gotten to the explanation of it it’s blown me away. Love it when that happens.

Thanks for the article, Courtney!

By: Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:04:27 +0000

Finally, I’m supposed to pick a random commenter to win a copy of PROOF BY SEDUCTION. Random.org says the winner is…

Angelique! Congratulations! Angelique, please send me your snail mail address at courtney@courtneymilan.com.

By: Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:03:22 +0000

Melissa, I hope you enjoy it. And Julie, one-word titles are so wonderful…but so hard to get right!

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:44:38 +0000

As a science major, the story behind your book’s title made me giggle.

I don’t have a favorite title, but I think I tend to enjoy one-word titles; it’s so hard to pack an entire story into a synopsis, much less one word.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:20:39 +0000

Yes, Welcome, Courtney! Great to have you join us! You’ve peeked my curiousity with the title and cover. I’ll be adding this one to my list.

By: Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:44:16 +0000

ArkansasCyndi, Titles are really hard. I’m usually happy if I can come up with something that vaguely sounds like it’s in the wrong genre. Some people are just good at titles, though.

Danielle, I do like “word” themes, too, but it can be hard to get right. I’ve seen some series where the “words” are so similar I never know if I’ve read that book already! I think J.D. Robb does this really well–they’re all IN DEATH, but the one word that’s not IN DEATH is really, really well chosen.

Barbara, Soulless is a great name for a book, and Gail Carriger’s next two really work on that theme: Changeless and Blameless. Man, I want her title skillz.

Vicki, I think Scott Westerfeld’s titles are totally awesome (or should I say bubbly?) and “Uglies” conveys so much, right there. Some of the best titles are one word titles… if they work.

So here’s another one of my favorite titles: Patrick Rothfuss’s “The Name of the Wind”–it’s so powerfully evocative!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:50:26 +0000

Welcome Courtney! I love the title. It’s one that would make me pick up the book if I didn’t know the author. And the cover is awesome!

Like everyone else, coming up with a title for my wip is never an easy thing to do. But (you know there always has to be a but), I have to have one when I start. Even if the one I pick is going to change.

Favorite titles – Nora Roberts Key series, and in YA I’d have to say, Pretties, Uglies, Specials…one word, but I was hooked by the words.

Amy – I love Heartbreakers too! Vegas Two-Step is fun and it is one that would have me picking it up. Just kinda funny that it was choosen since you say there’s no dancing in the book. Still, it’s going to do great!!!

By: Barbara Elness

Barbara Elness — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:26:27 +0000

I like titles in a series to be somewhat related – it’s easier to find them. Otherwise, titles aren’t as important to me as what’s inside the book. I like Soulless and Red-Headed Stepchild, they got me interested in what was in the book. Three Days to Dead intrigued me as well. Clever titles with a play on words from movies, etc, like For a Few Demons More, and Every Which Way But Dead are fun.

By: Danielle Yockman

Danielle Yockman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:31:09 +0000

I like Julia Quinn’s What Happens in London and I like Sleepless in Scotland by Karen Hawkins. For series’ I like Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series titles…Kissing and Midnight seem to be the themes!

By: Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:25:44 +0000

Michelle, I really think that the simple titles are great–but sometimes, they can blur together in my head, ESPECIALLY if they use some of the standard romance triggers, like “Wicked” or “Seduction” (says the author who has had a novella called “This Wicked Gift” and a book called “Proof by Seduction”).

Tili, yes, I love the Warrior’s Apprentice, especially because it’s also reminiscent of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the tale of the Sorcerer who tries to magic a broom into cleaning the floor and instead has the whole thing get away from him… which is exactly what happens to Miles. Incidentally, I completely loved that book, too.

Kim, along the lines of “Prince of Tides” I also love Meredith Duran’s “Duke of Shadows”–so brilliantly evocative! I just adore it.

Kris, thanks for liking my terrible titles.

And Jane, I also like clever titles. For some reason, they usually work best for contemporaries, but Julia Quinn has done some great ones–for instance, “What Happens in London” which is an awesome title for a historical romance.

Some of my favorite titles, though, have been really long ones:

The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

There’s something almost magical and poetic about those….