I've fought through the awful - The Wicked Queen - chosen because there's an actress in the book who has the stage name 'The Vintage Queen' and because I wanted to go for a fairy tale title again.
Then I thought I'd found magic with - Big Bad Wolf - because there's like a werewolf in the story, so obviously that was soooooo intelligent.
Then I struggled with a million other titles all referring to fairy tales. Am I writing a fairy tale? Err, no. The title of the first book and this blog was born because a character in it 'Apple' is well a wee bit poisonous. Hence - well you get where I'm going with it.
So then (light at the end of the tunnel and all that) I decided the next book should refer to a character as well, so we have:
STRANGE BONES
Because Larry Bones is acting rather strangely this time around. He's given away his time-shifting watch and has signed up for the school play.
Oh, and if you hate the title - because I am not convinced that it's good and I am worried it doesn't gel well with book one's title (The Poisoned Apple) - then please speak up, otherwise you will have to carefully place your hand over the title when reading the book.
24 comments:
Hiya Cate. I like it! My only suggestion would be to add the word 'The' to the beginning of it. That'll make it sort of fit in better with 'The Poisoned Apple.'
Maybe?
I like it : )
I'm not certain a 'The' would work as 'bones' refers to a person (I know, I did that with TPA - LOL), but have confirmed what I thought - the two titles don't gel together. I will get there eventually.
Oh, and as always thanks for your input.
i'm with you Cate, Strange Bones is a great title.
Thanks Natalie & Jamie...
Strange Bones. I absolutely LOVE IT! I think it works well with The Poisoned Apple, and don’t think the second title needs to gel with the first in an overly predictable way.
The more I hear about this series, the more excited I become. Honestly, Cate, it sounds GREAT!
Thanks, Mary :)
I don't know why I'm getting so wound up about a title that if I ever, ever, ever get an agent / publisher / letter from God, will probably change.
You are a good writer. Have faith in that.
LOL! But it’s our duty to put ourselves through it. ;)
:)
'Strange Bones' gets my vote. Love it, preferably without the definite article. 'The Strange Bones' doesn't sound right.
And "He's given away his time-shifting watch and has signed up for the school play" really make sme sit up and take notice!
Thanks Michael :)
As the hours tick on I'm starting to feel a little easier about the title - still trapped in chapter 1 though. I think my editing hat is squeezing my brain a little too tightly and it insists on reading the same paragraphs over and over and...
Sounds GREAT. I look forward to it. Perfect time to come across your blog, right?
Happy Mabon!
Ah, you're like me, then, Cate -- unable to leave things rough and move on. It's a habit that makes first chapters absolute murder, but what can you do? It's just the way we are.
I like "Strange Bones"...it leaves the imagination open to what the meaning is behind it...which is what I like about a book...I am a book title kinda reader...if the title catches my attention, it will be the one I take home...
I don't know why, but when I read what the story was about, this is what came to mind for me:
A Bone In Time...
and
Timeless Bones...
Titles are so hard for me, so I feel your pain...Good luck with it...
OMG! I don't want you to think I was saying my titles fit better...I really didn't mean it that way, but after I read my post, I was afraid it came off that way...sigh...
Okay, what I meant was...I love your title Strange Bones and it goes with the description of your story...and makes me want to read more...
The titles I gave was just examples of how bad I am at titles...sorry if they came across as anything else...I've been milking cows all afternoon...so my brain might not be working quite right yet...grin...
I like The Wicked Queen, but Strange Bones is even better! And hey, you can always leave The Wicked Queen for some other work if you like it.
Thanks for visiting, Devon.
Michael - I'm a nightmare. I've been working on chapter 1 for 10 days or so. Today I will conquer the second chapter.
Brenda - I actually quite like Timeless Bones. And suggestions are always welcome.
KC - I liked The Wicked Queen title until Mum burst out laughing. Parents. :)
Yeah, The Wicked Queen sounds a little, er... pervy, doesn't it? But I like Strange Bones quite a lot!
I like the title a lot. Good job!
Hmm...if I double comment, blame blogger. It told me to retry. ;)
I like Strange Bones, Cate - it's definitely catchy!
Carrie, Barry, Jodi - cheers, guys.
Strange Bones. Yep, I like it. Gets my vote. I think Poisoned Apple is catchy, too. Good luck on the agent hunt. That's a whole other battle.
Thanks Justin. :)
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