Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Confusing Titles: Problem for Both Readers and Writers


Recently, I was looking at the selection of large print novels in my local library (yes, I have older eyes and appreciate large print). My gaze lingered on a novel entitled THE GIRL IN THE CASTLE. The title interested me. So I took the book out and read it.

It is a rather long, complex novel, and reminds me of THE THORNBIRDS in many respects--although this is apparently planned as the first in a trilogy. The novel begins in 1900 in West Cork, Ireland, and involves Kitty Deverill, an Anglo-Irish girl who falls in love with Jack O’Leary, a Catholic.
Their star-crossed love story ends in 1925 but will obviously continue in the second book in the series. The novel is engrossing and well-written, has many characters and much Irish history.

When I selected this book at the library, I thought I was choosing a book that was on the bestseller list. After I rechecked the list I discovered the novel I was thinking of was in fact entitled THE WOMEN IN THE CASTLE set during World War II. I have no regrets that I read THE GIRL IN THE CASTLE and will request the other novel at a later time. However, the incident made me think of how confusing titles can be for readers and how difficult they are to choose for authors. And so I decided to share my thoughts.

I believe that a well-chosen title helps to sell a writer’s work. The first impression a book or story creates depends on several factors, one of them being the title. The title will set a certain tone or expectation. Whether an author writes literary work, genre fiction, nonfiction, short stories, poetry, etc., the title should fit the work. If it’s not appropriate, the reader may rightfully feel cheated.

I have a few suggestions for fellow writers that I believe might prove useful:

First suggestion is to do some initial research. For instance, visit Amazon and Google. Check out titles for the kind of work you’re writing to get a sense of what is appropriate.

Second suggestion, go to World Cataloging and type in your title under the keyword heading. See what pops up. If your title is used by many authors many times, you might want to try for something different. Ecclesiastes states that there is nothing new under the sun; however, you can do some variations that are unique. Also, keep in mind that titles are not copyrighted unless there’s a trade mark involved. You can, in fact, have the same title as another author, although if possible, it’s best to distinguish it in some way.

Next suggestion: consider if the chosen title can properly characterizes a theme of your book, story, poem, article via your word choice. Maybe it represents a reoccurring symbol in your book.

Another suggestion: keep your title short if possible. Modern titles are generally brief unless you’re writing an academic dissertation. Otherwise, a few words will suffice. For example, the title of one of my YA novels is STACY’S SONG. Just two words. Appropriate because it’s a coming of age/romance. Enough said.

Last suggestion: Try for a clever use of words which will make your title in some way memorable, interesting, intriguing, and/or provoke curiosity. Example: for the third novel in my Kim Reynolds mystery series I used the title THE TRUTH SLEUTH. Kim is an amateur detective and also an academic librarian. So the title fits the main character. The whimsical bit of rhyming hopefully makes the title stand out. In my romantic short story collection, BEYOND THE BO TREE, I used alliteration.

 Are there any titles that stand out for you? If so, which ones? Why? Comments welcome!


18 comments:

  1. Great post Jacquie and wonderful tips!

    Occasionally a story will begin with a title, but often my titles jump out at me from something within the story.

    Good luck and God's blessings.
    PamT

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    1. Hi Pam,

      I know we share a title--The Inheritance. So it wasn't that original, and yet it was so appropriate. But again, that can make for reader confusion.

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  2. Great ideas on ways to choose a title, Jacqueline. I have always had trouble choosing titles. Usually I think I have the perfect title, only to discover a dozen other books have been published with the same title.

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    1. Hi Maris,

      Yes, it's very difficult to be original. I suppose that's why author name recognition is so important. Joined together with an appropriate title, this will hopefully draw readers.

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  3. Great tips!
    The titles for my first two Malone mysteries "jumped out" at me. I checked Amazon and saw that there were lots of other books with those titles but I used them anyway. However, I was thrilled when I saw that my fifth book was the only one to be titled "Marnie Malone." :)

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    1. Hi Pat,

      When I was a teenager there was a popular series called "Meet the Malones." It wasn't new even then, but a charming family story. You manage to combine family elements with mystery thrillers and I think it works very well.

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    2. Great post. I checked the title of my forthcoming debut novel on Amazon but hadn't thought of any other sources. The novel is in the early stages of publisher's edits so I can't be sure if they will want to go with my title. But, since it is about love in a retirement village and the main characters are aged 68 and 71 I think that "Not Too Old for Love" is appropriate and a fair indication of the subject matter, plus it's not particularly long.

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    3. Hi Peter,

      Nice to meet you. I like the title and it does seem appropriate. I'll look forward to reading your novel.

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  4. The title of my historical western due out from Five Star next year, MISS ROYAL'S MULES, seems to be pretty original. I'm not finding it anywhere else. I hope I will be equally lucky in that it will draw interest. It fits the story to a T.

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    1. Irene,

      That's a great title! Congrats on the sale to Five Star.

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  5. Great suggestions, Jacquie. I have trouble coming up with good titles, and for my newest book (now in the hands of my agent), everything I thought of seemed to conjure up a romance novel instead of a mystery. I finally found something, but it was work. Some people have a gift for good titles; I'm not one of them.

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  6. It's definitely not easy. Glad you have an agent for your new work. Best of luck!

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  7. All helpful as usual! I usually write the book and then name it!
    Thanks!

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  8. Hi Susan,

    Good idea. I've often changed the name of a novel several times before I'm satisfied with it. Some publishers are well-known for changing titles as well.

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  9. I enjoyed your article, Jacqueline. I struggle to name characters and think up titles for stories and novels. I once named a cat Kitty. I usually come up with a working title, until something better occurs to me.

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    1. Hi Catherine,

      I believe it's a good idea to come up with a working title which can always be changed if the need should arise. As far as calling a cat Kitty, I see many stories where a dog is just called "dog". Sometimes a main character in a short story is given no name at all--although I don't think this literary device of an Everyman is so great.

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  10. Great post, Jacqueline. I often find it harder to come up with a title than the whole story or book! I wanted to name one novel "Stolen Identity," but found out lots of other books had that title. It took me a couple of weeks to come up with "A Broken Life." I'm still not that happy with it, but I was determined not to use one that was already, I thought, overused.

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    1. Hi Jan,

      I like the title "A Broken Life." I think it will hook readers.

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