Creating Tempting Titles (Ten Titillating Tips!)by Julie Rowe (This article first appeared in the May 2005 issue of The Writer's Saddle, Calgary RWA.) You've just written a fabulous book. Congratulations! You've gone on to polish your manuscript and it's ready to submit. But, have you given your baby, your work of art, the best title? First impressions don't come around twice! Titles are important and deserve more than a passing thought. The title you've been using for your masterpiece has meaning for you, but will it lure a reader, or better yet an editor, into reading your book? Ten title tips: 1. Keep it short. Use descriptive nouns and short words with power and punch. 2. Avoid fancy words. Did you know that the Inuit people of the North have over one hundred different words for 'snow'? That's nice, but 'snow' is the only one I understand. Go with words everyone understands. 3. Make sure your title reflects your story. You wouldn't call a romantic suspense novel with a serial killer villain, 'Love On A Quiet Afternoon', would you? 4. Make your title original. Run a search of your title on Amazon.com. If you get some hits, new title please! 5. Brainstorm. Sometimes the best title is not the first one you think of. List a bunch, then list some more, play with the words. Have fun with it! 6. Alliteration always attracts. 7. Tried and true with a twist. Fool around with and/or use words that a reader or an editor will recognize but not be bored with. 8. Use words that contradict and/or conflict with each other. (E.g. The Pirate and the Land Lover). 9. Can't copyright 'em. It's a fact, titles are not copyrightable. 10. Have a backup. Have a list of several possible titles ready in case you want to re-title and resubmit, or your book sells and your editor wants some other suggestions. (Julie Rowe, has been writing for eight years, has completed ten manuscripts and is working on number eleven. Her work has appeared in several magazines and her local newspaper.)
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