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Which title do you like better?
- Thread starter ccarver30
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They're both sort of lackluster. Wouldn't make me pick either of them up off a shelf. But without knowing the story, it's hard to say which one fits it better.
I have to agree with CT; they are sort of lackluster. They might be all right for a short story, but not for a novel. Just an opinion. If I just HAD to pick one, I'd choose Dried Flowers.
Standard disclaimer: The publisher may very well change it anyway, blah, blah, blah.
Standard disclaimer: The publisher may very well change it anyway, blah, blah, blah.
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I would not pull Dried Flowers from a shelf, even if it's in my favorite genre. It has baggage which implies girlie-reading (you ever met a guy who gave a damn about dried flowers?), and that's not my thing.
I might pull Five Dollar Bill out, but probably not. It doesn't carry enough grab.
Maryn, who often finds titles tough
I might pull Five Dollar Bill out, but probably not. It doesn't carry enough grab.
Maryn, who often finds titles tough
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Hmm, I wouldn't put the utmost attention on the title out of all the things to devote attention to, but it would help if there was an excerpt in SYW to compare to or something.
I guess with a gun to my head (hoping no one has one of those here) I'll vote for Five Dollar Bill. Dried Flowers sounds slightly too...flowery. Sounds like a collection of poems I wouldn't want to read.
I don't think either is bad, though. I don't think titles have to be some kind of marketing whore gimmick; that's garbage. If my editor wants to do that, that's fine. My titles are just what I think best represents the work as a whole. They can change the title if they want--that's one part of the MS I won't mind changes to.
Dried Flowers does have some quite poetic overtones, but I agree with Maryn that it sounds like a chick book. Puts me in mind of a bowl of dusty old pot pourri.
'Five Dried Flowers' might make me ask 'why only five?' or 'Five Dollars Worth' may make me want to know 'worth of what?' - but still probably wouldn't make me pull it off the shelf - unless it was a genre I really like.
Is there a line, character name, scene or event from the book that you especially like from which you can pull a more descriptive title?
I'm the person who thinks of titles and writes a story outline based on the ideas the title suggests, so what do I know?
Is there a line, character name, scene or event from the book that you especially like from which you can pull a more descriptive title?
I'm the person who thinks of titles and writes a story outline based on the ideas the title suggests, so what do I know?
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Hmm, honestly, I'd give Dried Flowers a look in the mystery genre or even romance, but I like gardening. (Gardeners tend to read mystery. I don't know why, but they do.) Five Dollar Bill wouldn't attract me.
Dead Petals?
Marie
Dead Petals?
Marie
When picking a title, take in consideration what books you want to have listed around you on Amazon. Also, the title may dictate where you are placed in Barnes and Noble. Dried Flowers may get you placed in the gardening section. Titles and covers are extremely important in bookstore placement. I was consistently misplaced both on Amazon and in the bookstores because I didn't pay enough attention to that fact.
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Thanks for the opinions. You sure don't pull any punches. LOL
Flowers in the name of the town in my story, fyi.
Flowers in the name of the town in my story, fyi.
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Quite true. I once saw Neal Stephenson's Zodiac placed on the astrology shelf. I never did finish reading that book, so maybe I'm off, but I swear zodiac referred to the MC's boat.
Nicole
As I'm not a flowery type of person I don't think I'd pick up a book with flowers in the title. Also not sure about Five Dollar Bill. It doesn't sound very engaging. Since I'm a curious cat, from your above post I now know why you wanted flower in the name of the book, as it is the name of the town, but why Five Dollar Bill?
Either title (to me) is fine...I'd at least pick up the book and read the first few pages. If it catches my attention (and have the $$$) I'll either buy it..OR if i'm in the local library and it catches my attention, I'll give it a try!!!
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