The Elusive Title Search

Saving Cinderella

The Heir's Convenient Wife
Rodeo Bride

The Frenchman's Plain-Jane Project

To Wed a Rancher

(Yes, these are all titles of my books)

Over the years I've spent many (many, many) hours brainstorming titles for books. I have pages of lists on my computer. I've dumped more titles than I like to think about, and in the end, marketing being what it is, many of my final titles have not actually been my own. (Sometimes that's a good thing. I've had a few titles that I don't actually want to take credit for, but I'll be honest. There have been times when I've been grateful for a good title that someone in editorial created. I have to give credit where credit is due). Nonetheless, I continue in my search for the perfect title to fit each book. Writing is much easier for me once I've named the book. It's as if a puzzle piece has fallen into place. And...actually, choosing a title can be a lot of fun.

But of course a title's purpose is so much more than entertainment for the author or mere identification. Titles are sales tools, and lately I've come across some interesting titles. Yesterday alone I encountered How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You, The Tetherballs of Bougainvillle, Let's Explain Diabetes with Owls, The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, and Tomorrow There Will be Apricots.

I admit to being an easy touch when it comes to titles. I would pick up any of the books listed above simply because of the title. Throw in an interesting cover and I'm willing to at least give the book a try.

But for romance novels, one has to be a bit more direct (okay, I'm not sure how much more direct one can get than How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You). So I go on, creating titles and hoping that I can find one that is:

     Not too long

     Not too reminiscent of a thousand other books

     Intriguing while also hinting at what the book is about

     Romantic

     If possible, fun

I seldom feel that I have one that is just perfect, but I've gotten close a few times. At any rate, it's an exercise I tend to enjoy. And there's an added benefit. Often, just brainstorming titles leads me to the perfect story. And that makes title hunting a great way to spend an hour or two.