tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post5274017609096673914..comments2023-07-14T06:12:32.093-07:00Comments on Kirby's Lane: A Place for Readers and Writers: Title TricksKirby Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-43418283875709724182010-04-04T11:02:27.963-07:002010-04-04T11:02:27.963-07:00I don't know if it will help, but here's a...I don't know if it will help, but here's a link to an article I wrote about titles years ago. Maybe you'll find a title pattern in the article that will spark an idea: http://www.suzanne-williams.com/titles.htmSuzanne Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17581197639590268329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-73501056823802418072010-04-03T22:54:47.247-07:002010-04-03T22:54:47.247-07:00Martha, thanks for the reference! I was going to t...Martha, thanks for the reference! I was going to tell Kirby the long, painful story of 200+ brainstorms, the agony, the...what was it, five?...different titles...and finally, at the eleventh hour, providence kicked in. <br /><br />Providence, Kirby! Providence! So, not really all that helpful, am I? ;)<br /><br />I think Martha hit the nail on the head. Geri's idea isn't bad, either!holly cupalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15012572116406283386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-62755229336985502232010-04-03T15:05:35.613-07:002010-04-03T15:05:35.613-07:00Ah, Martha -- you made me blush.
I'll keep af...Ah, Martha -- you made me blush.<br /><br />I'll keep after it!Kirby Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-88572609684741692492010-04-03T10:28:16.500-07:002010-04-03T10:28:16.500-07:00Kirby, I think there's really only one sure fi...Kirby, I think there's really only one sure fire trick for coming up with the smashingest title: ply Barbara O'Connor with a case of rot gut Blue Label Cafe Francais and ask her to cough up her secret, because she is hands down the best title writer in the business. I think she once said she comes up with the title first, then first line (followed, I'm guessing, with a list of awards she'll receive). After that, she writes the story. <br /><br />Or, you could take the title of my non-existent novel: Award Winning Instant Classic. Think of the possibilities: "Have you read Kirby Larson's Award Winning Instant Classic?" "Due out next spring: Award Winning Instant Classic by Kirby Larson" And so on.Grier Jewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05514099763743044565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-11543991718937715572010-04-03T08:24:23.121-07:002010-04-03T08:24:23.121-07:00Kirby, when I was the editor of MSN, I learned all...Kirby, when I was the editor of MSN, I learned all sorts of things about what would make a person click on a headline.<br /><br />A book title is different in a lot of ways, but one principle that is the same: you want your title to evoke a mystery that will make someone want to look inside. <br /><br />So, what's the most unusual part of your book? Is there a really resonant line? <br /><br />Holly C. really worked hard to come up with Tell Me A Secret. That was actually a line spoken by one of the characters, and it's perfect. (So easy to see these things in hindsight.) <br /><br />I can't wait to read it, whatever it's called. By Kirby Larson is a good enough title for me.Martha Brockenbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00921299935406060841noreply@blogger.com