"And" In the Title and Titles in General

zeprosnepsid · Dec 1, 2005

What do you think about 'And' titles: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And oh bother, I had a couple others in mind when I thought about starting this topic. But it seems to be a more common event in children's/YA publishing than in adult. Is there something to it?

I'm not very good with titles and I'm trying to come up with a better one than I have. But I like part of my title and I'm thinking an 'and' might be in order.

How important is the title you think? I think it's actually very important, but I'm trying to convince myself otherwise due to my inability to come up with something genius. Did you have your title first or come up with it later or in the Middle? I wish I was good with puns....puns can be fun titles...like "Anansi Boys", very cute.

Anyway, this title thing is driving me slowly crazy... Maybe I'll have someone more clever than me read my novel an see what they come up with... Or I suppose it only has to be clever enough to get an agent to read it, then the business folks very well might change the title themselves and save me the trouble.

DenimSoul · Dec 1, 2005

Hi. I think the title is VERY important. After all it's basically what sells a book if you are an unknown author. Well the title and/or the cover pix sell the book when the author's name is unknown.

Most of the time I have a title in mind before I start writing. Seems my title ideas just sort of pop into my head at the same time the germ of the story comes about.

Want us to help you with the title? I'd personally be glad to toss a few ideas out if you want to tell us a little about the story.

Sage · Dec 1, 2005

As mentioned in the novel forum, what you name the title might not be what's on the cover once it's published. Pick something good, but don't be disappointed if it's changed by your publisher.

I'm torn between two titles for my NaNo novel, each having to do w/ the MC's name (one is her name, & one is her nickname. I'll probably go with the latter (Euniq) just 'cuz it is a pun & an important plot point, but for now, I'm calling it her name (Euterpe)). My WIP has no title yet. The one I'm leaning towards at the moment, is very wishy-washy IMO even though it does hit upon themes of the book. And it has an "and"

Personally, I don't think an "and" is necessary. I agree w/ Denim. Let's hear some ideas you have and/or a brief description of your novel, & we'll give you suggestions.

zeprosnepsid · Dec 2, 2005

Thanks for the replies. I'm not terribly good at summarizing my novel (something I'll have to get over when I get to the querying stage). And I have a ways to go till I'm done, I'm just uncomfortable not having a title. Right now the title is 'Journies through Unremarkable Doorways" or perhaps also including ("with a Green Backpack"). The only part of that I'm interested in keeping is "Unremarkable Doorways" and maybe trying to retool it into something else.

I think what I'll do is when I polish up my draft a bit, I'll post some in the share your work forum and also ask if anyone has any title ideas. Because trying to explain it I think would take me all day =) Although I have thought it over and decided it's like 'if Louis Sachar wrote Alice In Wonderland except the main character is secretly a Princess'.

But I guess I'll have to live with working without a real title for now and hopefully something will just come to me while I'm finishing the book....

DenimSoul · Dec 2, 2005

Backpacking Through Unremarkable Doorways

Backpacking Through Doorways

The Unremarkable Doorway Backpack Trek

Backpack Trekking Through Unremarkable Doorways

Backpack Trekking Through Doorways

---Just a quick toss of ideas. I'll think about it more and if I come up with anything I'll post again.

Sage · Dec 2, 2005

zeprosnepsid said:
'Journies through Unremarkable Doorways" or perhaps also including ("with a Green Backpack").

Actually, I kinda like it. I can totally envision me walking into Borders, seeing it in the new fiction display & picking it up to read the back.

Chacounne · Dec 2, 2005

Sage said:
Actually, I kinda like it. I can totally envision me walking into Borders, seeing it in the new fiction display & picking it up to read the back.

Me too

Chac

Unique · Dec 2, 2005

Incredible Journies Through Unremarkable Doorways

I think a title can make or break a decision on choosing a book. If I'm in a library or bookstore, sure, colors catch my eye - but after the color, I read the title. Then I decide whether to pull it off the shelf or not. I might be missing a lot - but that's the way it is.

Jo · Dec 3, 2005

zeprosnepsid said:
How important is the title you think?

Once the book is on the shelves, it's out of your hands, per se. You can't force people to read it. You have to entice them. Your book title is your hook - it has to grab the reader and reel them in.

I think finding a title for your book is a little like falling in love - it hits you when you least expect it! Your ultimate title will "sit" with you, and never leave. It will niggle at you, then fester and grow until no other title could ever replace it. You may even find that the title will pick you. Let your mind play with the words and then allow your heart to decide.

This may or may not help, but I often use the Thesaurus when I'm looking for a title. I'll play around with meaningful words and phrases (the briefest of brief summaries that runs with the theme of the story) that describe the characters, plot, etc., or I'll twist it by using antonyms or double entendres instead (I also title my chapters using the same method).

Although I mentioned using the plot description, I believe that when a book title gives away the plot, the (would-be) reader may make too many presumptions before giving the story a go (I write for middle graders and up, though, so this may not apply to younger readers). I would prefer to let the reader wonder whether they want to read the story, not plaster it in front of them and have them walk away before another word is read because it's "not their thing".

Good luck!

Grey Malkin · Dec 3, 2005

I quite like "Unremarkable Doorways" as a title. It's quite ambiguous and gives lots of images to play with. Once you complicate the title you start refining those images. "Backpacking Through Unremarkable Doorways" gives a clearer picture, but it's also uncomfortable, because "Backpacking" suggests "outdoors" and "Doorways" suggests buildings. There's something quite haunting about "Unremarkable Doorways".

Greymalkin

StoryG27 · Dec 3, 2005

My two cents: I like Unique's spin on the title:
Incredible Journies Through Unremarkable Doorways
I love contrast and imagery, and this title has both. At any rate, your book, from what little you've described, sounds really interesting. I wish you the best of luck.

Sage · Dec 3, 2005

storygirl said:
My two cents: I like Unique's spin on the title:
Incredible Journies Through Unremarkable Doorways
I love contrast and imagery, and this title has both. At any rate, your book, from what little you've described, sounds really interesting. I wish you the best of luck.

I agree. "Incredible" gives it just the edge it needs. I still like the parenthesis "(with a Green Backpack)" too.

AncientEagle · Dec 3, 2005

storygirl said:
My two cents: I like Unique's spin on the title:
Incredible Journies Through Unremarkable Doorways
I love contrast and imagery, and this title has both. At any rate, your book, from what little you've described, sounds really interesting. I wish you the best of luck.

But wouldn't that be "journeys"?

JuliePgh · Dec 4, 2005

I like "Unremarkable Doorways" by itself.

You could also do a second line, such as:

Unremarkable Doorways - Have Backpack, Will Travel

It depends on the "flavor" of our book and the genre.

An article of mine, "What Every Writer Needs To Know About Titles" was just published on Writing-world.com. If you'd like to read it, look at Issue 5:24, November 24, 2005. Perhaps it will help you, even though it's targeting freelance writers more than novelists.

http://www.writing-world.com/basics/titles.shtml

zeprosnepsid · Dec 4, 2005

My internet was not telling me there were any new posts in 'Children's Writing' as sometimes happens, how surprised was I when I eventually checked in and found all these great replies!!! Thanks so much everyone, this has been pretty great. I am leaning a little toward "Incredible Journies Through Unremarkable Doorways" It has a nice pulp feel to it -- like 1940s serials. I think it notes that the book is fun -- "Unremarkable Doorways" could come off a little more serious and little less like an adventure. It's a good title, just not necessarily for this book.

It's also nice to hear that the title might cause some of you to actually look at the book. That's the real test.

That being said -- I have another question about illustrations...but perhaps I'll start a new topic...

fallenangelwriter · Dec 15, 2005

backpacking through unrmarkable doorways

the green backpack tales

paprikapink · Dec 15, 2005

Adventures Through Unremarkable Doorways

"And" In the Title and Titles in General

zeprosnepsid

DenimSoul

Shelf bound or bust!

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

zeprosnepsid

DenimSoul

Shelf bound or bust!

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Chacounne

Unique

Agent of Doom

Jo

Travelling the re-write road

Grey Malkin

Moody Member

StoryG27

Miss Behave

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

AncientEagle

Old kid, no need to be gentle.

JuliePgh

zeprosnepsid

fallenangelwriter

paprikapink

Bored fanatic