Thought I'd share my experience on the importance and implication of the name you choose for a novel. I realize other authors may have a different view/experience, and that's great.
On my first two novels, I started off with a name that related to some theme in the story, without regard for how it would affect the reader (yeah, I know that was dumb, but I was just starting out).
After early reviews by my hit squad (brutal friends/family) I had several comments that the stories were great, but the titles so so. I asked why, and they shared their views. I then had a "holy cow" moment. Why not create 3 or 4 titles and survey friends and family with the instructions, "Imagine you walked into a bookstore, and you saw each of these four titles. Without knowing anything about the story, which would most likely make you pick up the book and read the blurb".
I found that there were always clear cut preferences by the people, plus that men and women prefer different types of titles. Women usually preferred character driven titles, men theme or philosophy oriented titles. Here's an example. For TAINTED HERO (excerpts at Davisstories.com), over thirty four people were surveyed, 22 women, and 12 men. 21 women preferred TAINTED HERO, 10 men preferred MORALE PARADOX. I have found the same pattern (at least for me) to be true with three different books I've queried titles for. Since my primary target (at least that's what I originally thought) for TH was the female reader, I went with their preference. Interest result was that I've had a very positive response from guys for TAINTED HERO, but they say they just skip the romantic parts. Now, depending on the audience I'm writing for, I tune my survey pool by gender.
I know its a generalization, but its worked for me. Hard part is turning away from a title you created and like. For example, for my third novel, I started with the title TANGLEWOOD DREAMS. When I surveyed my friends/family, none of the women liked that title, at all, all of the men picked it as there favorite. Since the theme was a pure romantic suspense, I had to go with the ladies favorite (BLIND CONSENT), and it was hard to let it go. but why survey people if you're not going to listen to their opinions.
Just sharing my thoughts.
Big Mike
Michael Davis
Davisstories.com - “Stories that touch the heart and mind"
TheWritersVineyard.com
[FONT="]Tainted Hero[/FONT], “Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons.” Champagne books,Dec 07
[FONT="]Forgotten Children[/FONT], “Greed is blind to human suffering.” Champagne books,July 08
[FONT="]Blind Consent[/FONT], “Where the heart and mind collide.” 09
[FONT="]The Treasure[/FONT], “A lonely heart can impair one’s judgment.” Forbidden Speculation paperback, Dec 07
On my first two novels, I started off with a name that related to some theme in the story, without regard for how it would affect the reader (yeah, I know that was dumb, but I was just starting out).
After early reviews by my hit squad (brutal friends/family) I had several comments that the stories were great, but the titles so so. I asked why, and they shared their views. I then had a "holy cow" moment. Why not create 3 or 4 titles and survey friends and family with the instructions, "Imagine you walked into a bookstore, and you saw each of these four titles. Without knowing anything about the story, which would most likely make you pick up the book and read the blurb".
I found that there were always clear cut preferences by the people, plus that men and women prefer different types of titles. Women usually preferred character driven titles, men theme or philosophy oriented titles. Here's an example. For TAINTED HERO (excerpts at Davisstories.com), over thirty four people were surveyed, 22 women, and 12 men. 21 women preferred TAINTED HERO, 10 men preferred MORALE PARADOX. I have found the same pattern (at least for me) to be true with three different books I've queried titles for. Since my primary target (at least that's what I originally thought) for TH was the female reader, I went with their preference. Interest result was that I've had a very positive response from guys for TAINTED HERO, but they say they just skip the romantic parts. Now, depending on the audience I'm writing for, I tune my survey pool by gender.
I know its a generalization, but its worked for me. Hard part is turning away from a title you created and like. For example, for my third novel, I started with the title TANGLEWOOD DREAMS. When I surveyed my friends/family, none of the women liked that title, at all, all of the men picked it as there favorite. Since the theme was a pure romantic suspense, I had to go with the ladies favorite (BLIND CONSENT), and it was hard to let it go. but why survey people if you're not going to listen to their opinions.
Just sharing my thoughts.
Big Mike
Michael Davis
Davisstories.com - “Stories that touch the heart and mind"
TheWritersVineyard.com
[FONT="]Tainted Hero[/FONT], “Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons.” Champagne books,Dec 07
[FONT="]Forgotten Children[/FONT], “Greed is blind to human suffering.” Champagne books,July 08
[FONT="]Blind Consent[/FONT], “Where the heart and mind collide.” 09
[FONT="]The Treasure[/FONT], “A lonely heart can impair one’s judgment.” Forbidden Speculation paperback, Dec 07
