Three Criteria for a Killer Title

My brain refuses to rest with a good title. It scrambles about until it finds the best one. That perfect fit. And searching for the best is not easy. Often times, for me, it either comes or it doesn’t.

When it comes, what a glorious feeling. But when it doesn’t? No fun at all. My brain turns into a stubborn donkey. The harder I push, the more it refuses to budge.

Which is exactly what happened these past couple weeks as my editor and I discussed potential titles for my debut novel. My brain refused to cooperate. Sure, I came up with a few suggestions. And some of those suggestions were okay. But none were great. None really resonated. None fit my idea of a strong title.

Which for me, involves three criteria:

It has to represent the story.
It can be the most poetic phrase I’ve ever read. But if it feels like the author forced the line into the book just to make the title fit, I don’t like it. I want a title that is unique and meaningful to not just a line in the book, but to the entire story. Some great examples would be Thin Places by Mary DeMuth, Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan, and of course, The Help by Kathryn Stockett or Room by Emma Donoghue. These titles not only sound cool, but are chock-full of meaning.

It has to be intriguing.
I don’t want it to sound like a million other titles already published on Amazon. I look for something different. Original. Not cliche. Something that elicits a sense of intrigue. A great example of this is Summer Snow by Nicole Baart. The juxtaposition of snow in summer catches my attention. Makes me curious. It’s what I aimed for when I came up with the working title for A Broken Kind of Beautiful (which isn’t my debut). We don’t often describe beauty as broken. If this book ever gets contracted, I hope the title stays the same.

It has to sound good.
Titles shouldn’t make tongues twist or noses wrinkle. They should be pleasing to read and say. I’m a big fan of alliteration. I love When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. Not only is it intriguing, it’s poetic. The repeating C sound works really well. I bought this book because I fell in love with the title and I haven’t even read it yet. Talk about an effective marketing tool.

So I had these three criteria in my head, but my donkey of a brain could think of nothing. Yet despite my inability, my debut has an official name. One I’m very pleased with. All thanks to the talented editorial team that’s been brainstorming on my behalf.

The title is very meaningful to the story. It has a contradiction that will hopefully intrigue potential readers. And I like the way it sounds.

An added bonus?

It goes really well with Wishing on Willows, which is the official title of my second novel, scheduled for release in April, 2013. I like when titles go together. A great example of this is Jody Hedlund’s The Preacher’s Bride and The Doctor’s Lady. Or Rosslyn Elliott’s Fairer than Morning and Sweeter than Birdsong.

So….what is the official title of my debut novel?

You’ll have to come back on Wednesday to find out. In the meantime, here’s a hint.

Let’s Talk: How important are titles to you? What are some of your favorites? Have you ever bought a book just because you loved the title?

In case you missed it, I’m starting a new adventure with vlogging. Here’s my debut vlog. I’m hoping this will be a fresh, fun way to connect with readers. 

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47 thoughts on “Three Criteria for a Killer Title

  1. Anonymous

    brinkka2011 says: Great blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? Id really love to be a part of group where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!

     
     
  2. Dawn Colclasure

    This inspired me to blog about my own titling methods:

    http://dawncolclasureblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/adventures-in-title-land.html

    I mentioned your blog post. 🙂

    And coincidentally, I am currently reviewing Walking on Broken Glass. I picked it out of the pile just because of the title! And it is a good book.

    I like your title. It reminds me of a chapter title I saw in a novel that stuck with me: "Waiting for Beautiful."

    Good luck with your book! 🙂

     
     
  3. Katie Ganshert

    Hi Vivian – I can only speak to my experience. the publisher definitely has a big say in the title, but for me, it was a team effort. We were brainstorming ideas together. There were several that I didn't like and so we kept pressing onward until we could find a title we all liked.

     
     
  4. Vivian Davis

    A good title can really make a book stand out on the shelf (or webpage). A lot of romance titles end up sounding generic and I have sometimes had a hard time recalling from the title whether I've read the book. Bt how much of that has to do with the publisher rather than the writer?

     
     
  5. Katie Ganshert

    So I have to ask Ally – did the book live up to the title??

     
     
  6. Ally E. Peltier

    I often buy a book because of the title. Recently I was browsing books at the CityLit Festival in Baltimore, and this one jumped out at me: Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self. How could you not want to read a book with a title like that? I just had to know what was inside. In this particular case, I felt the title had such a strong voice, the stories inside were likely to as well.

     
     
  7. Carol Riggs

    Ooo, I like KAWyle's guess, Dark as Daisies. ;o) Neat post, and yep!–I'm guilty of being attracted to a book just by its very title. And covers too. If a cover is boring, it's hard to even pick up the book! I like your A BROKEN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL title; nice. Nice to meet you and your blog, too! I hopped over from an Adventures in Children's Publishing linky. 🙂

     
     
  8. Katie Ganshert

    LOL, Mark! Thanks for the tip off! I'm going to go change it now. Must be the teacher in me. I always assumed it was "chalk-full" as in, the chalk board is full! Learn something new every day. 🙂

     
     
  9. Mark

    It's not "chalk-full of meaning" but chock-full, meaning the sense of something being as tightly filled as possible.
    The rest of the post was chock-full of cool advice on titles.

     
     
  10. KAWyle

    Since some of the titles you like have a paradoxical element, I'm going to guess "Dark as Daisies."

     
     
  11. Lauren F. Boyd

    I'm with Jill: I'm very fond of using one-word titles and tend to name my manuscripts with as few words – with as much meaning – as possible.

    Looking forward to hearing your title!

     
     
  12. Lucille Zimmerman

    What a fun post. I too love trying to come up with titles but I'm not that good at it. My friend (and author) Becky Freeman Johnson is excellent at coming up with catching titles.

    I cracked up when I read what you wrote about "When Crickets Cry." I too checked the book out at the library just because I liked the title.

    Some of my favorite titles: A Place Called Wiregrass, When Madeline Was Young, The Law of Similars, Beach Music, The End of Everything, The Ragamuffin Gospel, and of course, Blue Like Jazz

     
     
  13. Katie Ganshert

    I'm loving the guesses! 🙂 Can't wait to reveal tomorrow. Hope you all like it!

     
     
  14. Jenny Sulpizio

    Ooh-can we guess? Are those poppies or daisies? I'll have to guess for both.

    Ok, here it goes and hopefully this gives you a good laugh:

    Praising Poppies
    or
    Delighting in Daisies

    Okay, my mind has now turned to mush and I can't think of anymore…will have to wait until the big reveal tomorrow. Congrats again, Katie. 🙂

     
     
  15. Jeanette Levellie

    Oooh, you ARE mean today, aren't you? But I love the photo–is the title Orange Daisies? Can't wait to find out!

    I loved The Glass Castle and Gone With the Wind. Brilliant titles.

     
     
  16. Jaime Wright

    that was just downright mean. I was actually scrolling through your blog just to see the title and then intended to go back and read and waaah – WEDNESDAY? That's another whole day!

     
     
  17. Coleen Patrick

    I think The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is a title that sticks with me. A lot of times a title "blends" so much that I only remember the story,which is the most important part–except it makes it hard to find again if you can't remember the title.
    Looking forward to hearing your title Katie!

     
     
  18. Rosslyn Elliott

    Katie, I am SO excited to hear your title…and I'm going to watch your vlog now that I'm back in the land of the living. I also love a good title. And thank you for saying mine go together well. 🙂

     
     
  19. Donna

    Great post, Katie! I agree, the title is so, so, SO very important! If the title doesn't grab me or pique my interest/curiosity, I don't pick it up. And I don't believe my future readers would either. I can't wait to hear yours!!

     
     
  20. KC

    Most times the cover of the book catches my eye before I even read the title! I can't wait to hear the title of your book 🙂

     
     
  21. Caroline Starr Rose

    Dreaming of Daisies?

     
     
  22. Marji Laine

    I love a good tease and your hints with the pictures made my brain start storming along with Keli.

    Fields of Flowers, Daisy Dalliance, Daring the Daisies

    Okay, I'm getting off, but you can bet I'll be back on Wednesday to grab that fish that you've dangled in front of us.

    Oh, Fishing with Flowers! No, no, nevermind!

     
     
  23. Sarah Forgrave

    Gah! That is so sneaky of you to hold out on us, Katie. 🙂

    The memorable titles I can think of are usually funny ones (since that's my favorite type of book to read). 🙂 I think my all-time favorite is "Splitting Harriet" by Tamara Leigh. It's obviously a play on words, but it also has double meaning because the book is about a girl who gets caught in the middle of a church split. Funny stuff…and the book delivers what the title promises.

     
     
  24. Jennifer K. Hale

    And so I continue to wait with bated breath… 🙂

    Yes, titles are important to me. I love a good title. The Hunger Games intrigues me, but I haven't read the series yet.

     
     
  25. Nisa

    Tease! That is great criteria though! Definitely things to ponder. I'm glad you found the perfect title!

     
     
  26. Jill

    I love one-word titles that pack a punch, such as Atonement. But anything odd or catchy will sell me on the book, too.

     
     
  27. Mac

    I will read "Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo" because of the title (and the sexy cover) — RMW

     
     
  28. Katie Ganshert

    I love your guesses, Keli! Made me smile.

     
     
  29. Writer Pat Newcombe

    Titles and names are the bane of my writing life. I agree that you want them to do all three things but it's so difficult…
    I shall be interested to see what you've come up with?
    Best of luck with your new book, Kate.

     
     
  30. Keli Gwyn

    Great job with your read-on prompt, Katie. Somehow I just knew you were going to leave us hanging. =)

    Titles are not my forte, so I do my best not to get attached to my working titles. My debut novel had three working titles before the publisher chose one that fits with the line my book is part of.

    Since you gave us a hint about your title with the picture, my mind is busy coming up with possibilities: Dancing in the Daisies, Dreaming Among the Daisies, Beauty Amid the Blossoms. OK. I'll stop now before you laugh yourself silly. =)

     
     
  31. Jody Hedlund

    I like the way titles go together too! Looking forward to the big unveiling of your new title! You really have learned the art of stringing along! 😉

     
     
  32. Jill Kemerer

    I am so mad at you right now. No title?? Uggh! 🙂

    As long as my title doesn't include a tycoon, shiekh (I have no idea how to spell shiekh and am too lazy to look it up this morning), or secret baby in the title, I'm good!

     
     
  33. Lori Benton

    Katie, can't wait to finally know the title. 🙂

    Titles are funny. There have been times I've written half the story before I even find a suitable working title. There have been times when all that existed of the story was a one page file of notes, and the perfect title. Wish they were always that cooperative!

    Another Charles Martin title I particularly like is Wrapped in Rain.

     
     
  34. Wendy Paine Miller

    Stinker! I'm on a different computer today and i'm scrolling…scrolling down looking for it and then the beautiful tease! 😀

    I love titles! Peace Like a River, The Poisonwood Bible. Those are ones that jump out at me. I'm reading These is My Words right now…says a lot right there.

    I think a lot about my titles and usually choose several I'm happy with. It's part of the fun of it all.

    ~ Wendy

     
     
  35. Eileen Astels Watson

    I guess until I'm in the phase of selling and having to help an editor I don't stress over title too much. They just seem to come to me as I'm working through the stories.

    You're such a tease, Katie. I'll be back Wednesday for the title, though!

     
     
  36. Paul Anthony Shortt

    You're a tease, Katie! Hehe.

    I hate trying to come up with titles. But I love seeing a really excellent title in use. I've been thinking a lot about this topic lately, funnily enough. My blog post today discussed titles, since I came up with the title for Book 3 in my series this morning.

     
     
  37. Terri Tiffany

    I thought you would tell us!! I am horrid at coming up with titles–I mean I give them no thought at all although I have bought books due to the titles.

     
     
  38. Katie Ganshert

    Christa – I hear you! Good luck on those three titles. I hope inspiration strikes with abundance. AND, Walking on Broken Glass is one of my all-time fav titles. It's one of those I'd buy just to see if the story lives up to the title. I've read the story and can say it most definitely does!

     
     
  39. Christa Allan

    Thanks for the mention, girlie! I'm looking forward to the great reveal on Wednesday.

    Titles are more difficult for me than writing the book! I'm pitching a series, and coming up with three titles…ouch.

     
     
  40. Laura Pauling

    I love when titles have a double meaning. When it reps the external and internal struggle. Can't wait to see what yours is!

     
     
  41. Katie Ganshert

    Lisa – you bring up an EXCELLENT point, and that is the title has to fit with the publishing house too. One of the reason we couldn't use my working title, Beneath a Velvet Sky, is because a book was released from my publisher a couple years ago called Beneath a Southern Sky.

    Barb – I know all publishing houses work differently, but so far, I've had lots of input into my title. I just couldn't think of anything! I was stumped. I'm very blessed in that my editor is so good at making me feel like part of a team.

     
     
  42. Lisa Jordan

    As my Little Darlings would say, "No fair!"

    Your post was terrific, but the teaser was torture!

    I love coming up with titles for my books. Unfortunately I learned not to get too attached because they will end up being changed.

    My debut novel went from Draw Me Close to Lakeside Reunion. DMC fit my story, but LR fits the publishing brand. Now it has grown on me and I love it.

    I love the titles in Rachel Hauck's Lowcountry Romance series: Sweet Caroline, Love Begins With Elle, & Dining With Joy. All three titles were so fitting for the stories.

     
     
  43. Written Not With Ink

    I loved how Rosslyn's title, Fairer than Morning, was SO perfect for her book. Great example!

    Interesting post. I am just as stubborn as a donkey like you and could get carried away brainstorming for titles, but I thought I read somewhere that the author doesn't have much input? The thing I can't get over is how I can create a whole story, but when it comes time to titles, my mind goes blank. What's that all about? My WIP has been saved on my hard drive as "NaNo Story" since last November.

    Yes, I've bought books based on intriguing titles. And I think about a title's significance a lot. Especially, knowing that it's the title which makes me pull a book off the shelf from among all the other hundreds of titles.

    Barb

     
     
  44. Katie Ganshert

    Hey Sherrinda – A Broken Kind of Beautiful isn't changing. That story actually isn't contracted right now, but I would be super bummed if that title changed, only because I really love it.

    The working title for my debut was Beneath a Velvet Sky, but is no longer. 🙂

    Sorry for the tease, ladies! But I couldn't help myself. 🙂

     
     
  45. Sherrinda

    Oh goodness! And here I was thinking you were going to share! lol

    I usually go more by the cover and back cover copy. The title can be so-so and I'll still buy it. But you are right…I can say so much.

    I still like A Broken Kind of Beautiful. 😉

     
     
  46. Heather Sunseri

    You are such a tease! I almost skimmed through just to see the title, with every intention to go back and read the post. Grrr. I just know you've found the perfect title.

    But, yes, I'll admit I judge books by their covers and their titles. That doesn't mean I don't read books with bad ones, but I'm drawn to the ones that have oodles of meaning.

     
     
  47. Jessica R. Patch

    I read as fast as I could because I just KNEW you were going to give us the goods, and then you made me wait! You score a perfect 10 in the keeping me in angst department. ha!

    I love a great title. I loved the title Thirsty by Tracy Bateman, Walking on Broken Glass (I agree), Ted Dekker's Immanuel's Veins, and Gina Holmes's Dry as Rain. There's so many more, but I don't have all day. See ya Wednesday. 🙂

     
     

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