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So you have an idea and want to put it into words. If you are considering writing a new book, everyone has to start somewhere. There is one problem. You haven’t decided on what you will call your new book. The title of your book should reflect what it is about. For example, if you are writing a book of poetry, present a title that reflects the emphasis of the poems written. If you are writing a novel, consider several facets of the book: main character(s), plot, time element (or era), location or an event. If writing an self-help book, select a title that features the main topic. The same concept goes for historical books; choose a time element (or era) or topic the readers will want to read. Even well-established authors have problems putting a name to their new written work. Some writers struggle with this process; however, there are some points to remember:
- If writing a sequel, follow the pattern. Relate your sequel to your first publication in sequence. I find it easier to focus the title on main characters, events, plots, locations or periods of time. Pick a title that will be catchy to the readers’ eyes and easy to interpret throughout your book. You want an attention grabber. For example, if writing a series of novels on the American Revolution, give titles of the colonial themes in that particular era.
- Don’t get caught up on selecting multiple titles. That only causes frustration and delays. Try to limit to two or three titles and decide which one would best fit your book. I find that usually my first choice (not always) is the best.
- Be confident in your choice of titles. Even accomplished writers sometimes dislike the title(s) of previous books. I found this to be true in one of my books. Remember, once published, it is very difficult and often impossible to go back and change the title without spending a bunch of money. In addition, to make any changes to a published work, printing is stopped temporarily until all of the changes are made. This means you will lose money on book sales during that time.
- Enjoy the writing process. Once you name your book, stick with it and write your manuscript. Usually, three months is a reasonable time. Sometimes there are exceptions. If there are interruptions, like personal illness, health issues, family matters or such, it make take longer. There is no maximum length of time to finish your manuscript, no matter what the publisher tells you.
- Avoid super long titles, if at all possible. I’ve seen some books with up to ten words, while others have one word as titles. If you find it difficult to name your book, try splitting it up into a main title and a subtitle. Readers look at very long titles as too complicated to read. They may avoid buying the book and bypass it online or at the bookstore. You need an eye catcher, but not a long pending title.
- The most important point is to not select a title that has already been published by another writer or author. If you find a similar title, change the wording a bit. A good way is to search online websites. Amazon is a good place to start. There are others, such as Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, Ingram and Smashwords (an online website for English-speaking writers and authors).
I’m sure I’ve missed a few points along the way. Please add your comments or feedback. I would love to hear from you all.
kentuckyangel24 said:
Hello again, Anne. Great tips. I’m making notes — when I’m not sitting precariously on the edge of a very slippery chair trying to finish up some things before turning in for the night. Be back in the morning for more details.
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annepm2015 said:
Thank you. I’ve been praying for you and thinking about our last conversation. I was nearly home bound and nearly bedridden until I got my power chair last October. It not only changed my lifestyle, it conformed my life. I was embarrassed to get out in public at first in a wheelchair, however, once out, I got over my fear easily. I heard no bad comments or negative remarks. It gave me the opportunity to meet people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met. It saved me energy and effort from walking with a walker, which was becoming more difficult over the years. I can get out when I want and go where I want.
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kentuckyangel24 said:
I currently have a Hoveround, and it is the best I’ve ever tried. Had a Jazzy before it but the Jazzy was too big for these apartments. I already have the replacement Hoveround ordered even though it is almost a year before Medicare will pay for it, but then again, in Kentucky it takes up to 3 years to get approval from Medicare for anything, so hopefully the next one will be easier than the first one. I live in a building that is so full of old people in power chairs that I was just happy to be able to get one at all. And I know what you mean about meeting people — I have a lot of adventures in mine. Got it hooked on a bin of watermelons once — I wanted one melon, not the bin, and didn’t realize what was happening until I noticed people staring and giggling as I went down the aisle in the grocery. Finally looked back and there is was, hooked to the back of my chair and I was taking it with me thru the store. It’s much easier to get caught on those things than it is to get un-hooked! I think I have the only Hoveround in Owensboro, and am the envy of everyone who tells me they tried to get one but never could. Personally I think they give up when they don’t get an instant call-back from the company and just go someplace else. Some things just take patience, and having lived with this disease for 64 years I’ve developed plenty of patience. I’ve also driven it all around this town, from my place down to the river, about 37 blocks, and back home. And I can actually back it up without taking a wall or door facing in the process. Now I’m sounding like a commercial, but take my word for it, I’m loving my chair! I went the walker, cane, and hanging on to anybody close enough to grab before convincing my doctor that the chair would help me get out easily.
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annepm2015 said:
Can I ask your first name please? I find your postings delightful. It is sad that most of the people I relate to either have cancer or autoimmune disorders It is a reality of life now. Keep posting and I will response when I can. Thanks for all your feedback. Good to have someone that understands.
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kentuckyangel24 said:
My name is Angela, or Angie. thank you for all of your positive remarks. And not to worry, I’ll be here whenever you have the time.
I’ve found here at home that most of the people around me feel they are in much worse shape than I am, which makes me wonder what kind of life they really have. Guess I should say, they all think they have a worse time of it. Most of them are running around, going to parties and just doing so many things I can no longer do, but they all feel as if they are so bad off. All I can say is that you are only as bad as you allow yourself to feel at any given time. I have my moments, but manage to keep them inside my apartment. Why make the people around you suffer because you are having a bad day, minute, second–whatever. I firmly believe in laughing it all off as much as possible. Too much probably, but just because I have MS is not a good reason to make the rest of the people feel lousy.
I think you are handling everything so well, which is why I have followed you and why I feel safe commenting. Funny how this site has given me a whole new family group. Be well, Anne.
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annepm2015 said:
Thank you, Angie. I don’t mean that I don’t have the time. Always for you, I will write back. My time is interrupted by continual infusions, physical therapy and other medical appointments, as well as trips to the medical trial study. To date, I am trying a new adventure of screenwriting and preparing to enter a contest. I admit I fear rejection, but hey, that is the name of the game. I am also writing on my next book. Have written four chapters already. Plus, trying to establish myself as a professional writer; there is a potential avenue to write for others. Not sure that I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. My dilemma is that I’ve been looking at new houses near my sister’s house. The question is if I buy one for myself, can I manage alone? I’m looking for a roommate possibly to help with expenses. I admire you for living on your own, even an apartment. I know the challenges and the difficulty of this disease (like MS).
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kentuckyangel24 said:
I hope you can find a house. You could always move to Owensboro, but don’t expect any kind of luck with the medical things up here. Everything in the medical community is owned by the hospital, only one, no competition, and they pretty much leave you alone if you are unlucky enough to be in there. And I do mean ALONE!, the good doctors have left town because of the hospital owning their practice and setting their own fees, and the fact that most of us simply refuse treatment locally. We are about 90 minutes from Louisville which has a few good hospitals, but my choice would be to get to U.K. to the hospital there, only about 3 hours away if the traffic is moving on any given day. The last neurologist I even bothered to see looked at me and without any tests at all, informed me that I couldn’t afford him, and even if I could there is nothing he could do for me. And they told me he was one of the best in town. No one was sorry when he left town, but still no one to replace him.
Ah, I really must stop thinking about the stupid medical situation here. It was good at one time, but since there’s nothing I can do other than refuse to go there and letting them know why, worry doesn’t help anything.
So, huge thunderstorm raging outside, so I think it’s time to shut the computer down and enjoy the music from the storm. Great night for sleeping!
From what I’ve read of your books, you will do great with the next one and with the screenplay!
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annepm2015 said:
Thank you, Angie, for the sweet comments. I do try, anyway. Actually, my nephew and his wife moved to Louisville in November. Not too far from you. For me, it would be a hard trip. I like your idea about the U.K. That could prove beneficial one day. I have a friend that lives in Southampton, not far from London.
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kentuckyangel24 said:
Louisville is a very pretty city unless you are as directionally challenged as I am. Getting lost in the wrong areas can be scary, but since I was riding with an Owensboro Police Officer in his squad car on our way to a Homeland Security conference, I just sorta scrunched down in the car and let him handle the mob. It was funny after we got away from the area, but even he was nervous, keeping his hand on his revolver. That actually frightened me more than the hostile crowd closing in on us.
The U.K I was referring to is actually University of Kentucky, but I keep forgetting that most people, unless they are sports fans, don’t realize that. Sorry about the mix-up. Two of my kids and my son-in-law, three grandkids, a brother, and more cousins than I know about are all grads, with the son-in-law now the Chief Of Staff to the president of UK. My older brother was an Associate Dean of the school of Medicine and Liaison with the Governor’s office, daughter was a recruiter for the University, and I have about 50 cousins now who call me to ask if I can get them free basketball tickets. My brother always got them in but son-in-law (Bill) doesn’t have the same determination as far as getting the stadium filled with family. It’s in Lexington, about 3 hours away, and since my brother lives outside Lex, I always spent weekends with them while visiting my kids as students. The only problem with that arrangement was his love of all clocks that make noises, ALL noises! Every 15 minutes, day or night, there were clocks making bird sounds, cuckoos, bells and whistles, every noise under the moon — since the only time I noticed them was at night.
Have a great weekend, stay safe and enjoy good weather (I hope)! My Hoveround is all powered up and I’m heading out in a couple of hours to enjoy the sunshine.
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annepm2015 said:
Thanks, Angie, for the response. I like Atlanta. It is prime here and my family are all here. I like Emory and two or three times a year, I go to Augusta. It is 3 hours away on the eastern coast, to receive treatments/medication for medical trial study. No offense to KY and Lexington, which is known for their horse racing. A friend lives in Fort Lauderdale. I have considered going there maybe in a few years. Nice sunshine, but hot all year round. You have a good weekend too. Maybe some rain to cool things off a bit. It is 90 degrees here today. Ouch!
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kentuckyangel24 said:
EH, YIKES! 90 degrees is definitely too hot for me. We are having a pleasant day up here. Mid 80’s and sunshine with even better on the way we hope. There will be a huge crowd at the Ohio River area tonight helping to kick off the 40th annual Barbecue Festival. It almost always rains on the festival but since the huge storm
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encounters said:
Hi Anne, I have been thinking of writing a book for nearly 6 years now but never actual deciding to start writing. Deciding to blog was meant to be a stepping stone in that direction. Reading tips for new writers seem to be rekindling the idea again. As you may be aware my one blog is about my life encounters which is directing me to write my own biograph.
Since this post is on tittlesI thought I should sound you on the possible. titles of my first ever book here we go:-
1. ‘Seasons of my iLife.’ or
2. ‘ Scenes of my life
What advice can you give to help tackle any of the above tittles ?
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annepm2015 said:
I prefer the first one, Seasons of my Life. That gives enough information on what you want the reader to get out of your book, but leaves enough imagination up to the reader to interpret. The second one, Scenes of my Life, would be good if everyone could visualize about certain events in your life. That sounds good for a screenplay or script. Of course, it is up to you, the writer, to select your title. I can’t wait to read your book once written. Good luck!
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