How much of a cop-out is it...

[Miss Vicky]

to name a book after the main character?

My novel is as finished as it's going to be. I've read and reread it a thousand times trying to come up with an interesting title and I just can't stand to even look at the f*cking thing anymore.

So I'm going to just call it done, but I need to have a title to put on the Copyright application. "Untitled" just ain't gonna cut it. So do I just call the damn thing Jordan?

[Richard B]

I read somewhere that some famous author (can't remember who) said he always got his book titles from the last one or two sentences of his book.

[Miss Vicky]

I read somewhere that some famous author (can't remember who) said he always got his book titles from the last one or two sentences of his book.

I tried that... but still got nothing.

Here's the last paragraph; any thoughts?

He saw his hand reach out again, saw it pushing open still another door. Exposing for his bloodshot eyes the sight of a nude form, resting silent and nearly motionless atop black sheets. The skin of this form was dark and stretched across a muscular frame that, even in repose, emitted an ominous air of masculinity. Still Jordan felt nothing. He eased his own slender frame beside Primo and there he lie awake. His body still cold, still shivering. His mind blank, numb with exhaustion.

[Richard B]

I tried that... but still got nothing.

Here's the last paragraph; any thoughts?

He saw his hand reach out again, saw it pushing open still another door. Exposing for his bloodshot eyes the sight of a nude form, resting silent and nearly motionless atop black sheets. The skin of this form was dark and stretched across a muscular frame that, even in repose, emitted an ominous air of masculinity. Still Jordan felt nothing. He eased his own slender frame beside Primo and there he lie awake. His body still cold, still shivering. His mind blank, numb with exhaustion.
Oh my...that's quite an ending. What is this book about?

Anyway...
Motionless Atop Black Sheets
Opening Doors
Jordan and Primo

[Miss Vicky]

Oh my...that's quite an ending. What is this book about?


Well the shallow answer is that its about an eighteen year old male escort who gets involved with four different people (two male, two female) and ultimately must choose one of them.

The better answer is that it's about f*cked up relationships and why we get into them.

[Richard B]

Well the shallow answer is that its about an eighteen year old male escort who gets involved with four different people (two male, two female) and ultimately must choose one of them.

The better answer is that it's about f*cked up relationships and why we get into them.
Spiderwebs.

[johndoe]

You could just call it like "Escort," but I like the Spiderwebs idsa.

[amber]

American Gigolo.











:laugh: :sorry: :wavey:

[strandinthewind]

I like the title "Numb with Exhaustion" - though it opens it up to eternal hazing by critics who want to appear clever with playing on words.

[Miss Vicky]

American Gigolo.

Sigh. :distress:

I guess I should just be thankful that you didn't suggest "Deuce Bigalow."

[Miss Vicky]

I like the title "Numb with Exhaustion" - though it opens it up to eternal hazing by critics who want to appear clever with playing on words.

Yeah... I thought about that one, but decided that the N in "Numb" could too easily be changed to a D by some asshole critic.

[amber]

Sigh. :distress:

I guess I should just be thankful that you didn't suggest "Deuce Bigalow."
Call Me? :)

[snowman]

I tried that... but still got nothing.

Here's the last paragraph; any thoughts?

He saw his hand reach out again, saw it pushing open still another door. Exposing for his bloodshot eyes the sight of a nude form, resting silent and nearly motionless atop black sheets. The skin of this form was dark and stretched across a muscular frame that, even in repose, emitted an ominous air of masculinity. Still Jordan felt nothing. He eased his own slender frame beside Primo and there he lie awake. His body still cold, still shivering. His mind blank, numb with exhaustion.


I got it!! "Primo The Stinky Guy"....:lol:

[Miss Vicky]

I got it!! "Primo The Stinky Guy"....:lol:

That's not the kind of air he was emitting. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

[Richard B]

Since you obviously hated Spiderwebs.

Business As Usual

[Miss Vicky]

Since you obviously hated Spiderwebs.

Business As Usual

I don't hate any of the suggestions so far (except maybe Primo the Stinky Guy) I just don't think any of them quite fit.

I'm thinking I may just have to risk the wrath of critics and call it Numb With Exhaustion, but I'm still undecided.

[snowman]

That's not the kind of air he was emitting. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

"Primo The Farting Guy"...?

[Serrart]

I don't hate any of the suggestions so far (except maybe Primo the Stinky Guy) I just don't think any of them quite fit.

I'm thinking I may just have to risk the wrath of critics and call it Numb With Exhaustion, but I'm still undecided.

It's a nice title, but as you said, it offers too much to a critic to joke about and some of them like to have fun especially with debuting authors. I liked Jordan. Does he have a surname?

Romy

[snowman]

"Primo The Farting Guy"...?

My apologies- I know this is important to you. How about a one word title? Something in French, Spanish, Italian, etc. that means "bad relationship" in one word?

[DavidMn]

to name a book after the main character?

My novel is as finished as it's going to be. I've read and reread it a thousand times trying to come up with an interesting title and I just can't stand to even look at the f*cking thing anymore.

So I'm going to just call it done, but I need to have a title to put on the Copyright application. "Untitled" just ain't gonna cut it. So do I just call the damn thing Jordan?Maybe I'm a dope, but I had no idea you were writing a novel. Good luck with it!!!:thumbsup:

[seeker007nmss]

Not having read the book, it's tough. How about Four Square? (A kids game where the ball went between the 4 numbers - so kinda like going between the four people?) Or some sort of derivation- 4 square nights- ...etc. (Or write another book Called 4 Square Knights...wait that is a bit different....:lol: nm)

[Miss Vicky]

It's a nice title, but as you said, it offers too much to a critic to joke about and some of them like to have fun especially with debuting authors. I liked Jordan. Does he have a surname?

Romy

No surname. Actually the reader never finds out the full names of any of the characters, and one of Jordan's love interests is known simply as "E."

I know that it's difficult for anyone to offer suggestions without having read the book, but the problem is that I don't want a lot of people reading it until it's been published (and have only allowed two people to read it thusfar) especially when it hasn't even been copyrighted yet.

But here's sort a breakdown of the relationships Jordan gets into:

One is with a middle aged man who comes to represent almost a father figure. He is caring, patient, and protective.

Another is with a woman in her late twenties. It is based on friendship and equality. She is also patient but her concern for him causes her to pry into his life, which causes him to pull away.

A third is with a very naive girl about his age who is looking for a sort of guiding hand. Jordan cares about her but sees too much of himself in her to really want anything more than friendship.

The fourth is with a man in his mid to late twenties who seeks to control and dominate Jordan and offers no love at all but Jordan is attracted to him because there is an element of escapism in the relationship.

[macfanken]

I like "Jordan".

[Miss Vicky]

Maybe I'm a dope, but I had no idea you were writing a novel. Good luck with it!!!:thumbsup:

Yeah, I've been stressing myself out with it for the last five years. I never intended for it to be a novel. I normally write short stories but after awhile it got to the point where it was too long to be just a story anymore.

Then again the original idea was to challenge myself to write a short simple love story with a happy ending. The only part of that idea that has remained is the "love" aspect. It is not short. It is not simple. It does not end happily.
:laugh:

[ragandbone]

Congratulations on completing your novel!
How about
"The Skin of This Form"
It has a nice rhythm to it.
I think that "Jordan" as a title is not a cop out, but perhaps if you wait a little while, another title will come to you.

[HomerMcvie]

How about
"The Skin of This Form"
It has a nice rhythm to it.

Reminds me of foreskin.:eek: :distress:

[ragandbone]

Reminds me of foreskin.:eek: :distress:
haha - you mean "The Skin of This Fore"?

[eclipse]

how about a simple....
Black Sheets

evokes a curious mind...
what about black sheets? Are they a group of papers? on a bed? Used as a blind?
The title Black Sheets would make me stop to check out your book:nod:
But that is just me

Just a thought...
eclipse

[irishgrl]

I thought "Escort" was a great idea :shrug:

Im a big one for one word titles I guess

Tangled?

[Miss Vicky]

I thought "Escort" was a great idea :shrug:

I really don't want any references to prostitution anywhere on the cover of the book. Not to be short, but the last thing I want is for someone to pick it up and go "Oh a hooker story!" Though it might sell more copies that way.

:laugh:

Tangled is not bad but like Spiderwebs I'm not sure it really fits as Jordan runs away from most of the relationships he gets into. Actually he runs away from all of those that might be good for him.

Maybe I'm just being too picky. :shrug:

I'm still waiting for feedback from one of the two people I've given it to and he's a very creative person so maybe he'll have some ideas. The other person's only suggestion was Jordan. But she agreed that to call it that would be a cop-out. Sigh.

[GODDESS6]

I tried that... but still got nothing.

Here's the last paragraph; any thoughts?

He saw his hand reach out again, saw it pushing open still another door. Exposing for his bloodshot eyes the sight of a nude form, resting silent and nearly motionless atop black sheets. The skin of this form was dark and stretched across a muscular frame that, even in repose, emitted an ominous air of masculinity. Still Jordan felt nothing. He eased his own slender frame beside Primo and there he lie awake. His body still cold, still shivering. His mind blank, numb with exhaustion.
god that is gorgeous, i wanna read all of it!!!~ & i love "Jordan"...that is my brothers name~ well done miss vicky~

[SuzeQuze]

how about a simple....
Black Sheets

evokes a curious mind...
what about black sheets? Are they a group of papers? on a bed? Used as a blind?
The title Black Sheets would make me stop to check out your book:nod:
But that is just me

Just a thought...
eclipse

I like this idea. It would allow for an eye-catching cover too! Something simple that won't take the mind long to process so you can quickly grab the potential reader's attention!

[Miss Vicky]

god that is gorgeous, i wanna read all of it!!!~ & i love "Jordan"...that is my brothers name~ well done miss vicky~

Thanks. I'm really proud of it, but I'm also sick of the sight of it after five years of work. :laugh:

I wasn't kidding when I said that I am my favorite writer in the Proust Questionaire thread.

[Miss Vicky]

Well, I just got feedback from the other person whom I'd given a copy of the book to...

And now I feel bad. He hated the ending (because he hates the character of Primo, but then the reader is supposed to hate Primo), and he said that the darkness of the book literally gave him a nightmare.

:(

He did, however, have some suggestions for the title:

(Not An) Act of Love
Gone
No Sanctuary

Of these three, I really like No Sanctuary but I also found the suggestion of Four Square intriguing.

Decisions, decisions...

P.S.

Thanks to everyone for all their wonderful suggestions.

[bretonbanquet]

Good luck with it! :blob2:

I'd say that calling it "Jordan" is a cop-out, it screams lack of imagination. "Four Square" is my favourite of those that people mentioned. I'm writing a novel myself, and the idea for the working title came from a Mac tune... although an obscure one. Don't call your book "Rumours" for God's sake! :lol:

[Miss Vicky]

Well crap...

It turns out that several writers thought that No Sanctuary was a good title for a book. I just did a search on Amazon and there are at least five books with that title. Sigh.

[skcin]

Web of Lives

Connect Four

No Light :cool:



Cheesy? :shrug:

[melly]

Looking for... [whatever he's looking for] ?? or The Chase...

You want a simple title, or a wierd one? You could step back a bit and think of something that may not seem obvious... I like the title "The Catcher In The Rye" because it seems unrelated to the actual story... If it had been called "Holden".. hmmm.

Hard to suggest without having read it :lol:

[irishgrl]

Running in Place?

Chaos Theory?

From Dark to Light?

Jordan's Crossing? (I know, I couldnt resist!)

I think I'd need a bit more of a summary (along with some excerpts that captured the flavor of the story) to be able to come up with something really good...........

[Miss Vicky]

I'm writing a novel myself, and the idea for the working title came from a Mac tune... although an obscure one. Don't call your book "Rumours" for God's sake! :lol:

So, what's yours about?

[seeker007nmss]

Well, I just got feedback from the other person whom I'd given a copy of the book to...

And now I feel bad. He hated the ending (because he hates the character of Primo, but then the reader is supposed to hate Primo), and he said that the darkness of the book literally gave him a nightmare.

:(

He did, however, have some suggestions for the title:

(Not An) Act of Love
Gone
No Sanctuary

Of these three, I really like No Sanctuary but I also found the suggestion of Four Square intriguing.

Decisions, decisions...

P.S.

Thanks to everyone for all their wonderful suggestions.


If you decide on "four square" can I get an autographed copy WHEN (not if) you get it published? I have a shelf of autographed books and want to add it to the collection. :nod: :p :D

[Miss Vicky]

If you decide on "four square" can I get an autographed copy WHEN (not if) you get it published? I have a shelf of autographed books and want to add it to the collection. :nod: :p :D


Sure. <b></b>

[bretonbanquet]

So, what's yours about?

It's still in relatively early stages but it's about man's abuse of the planet and how man is ultimately punished for it. I'm trying not to make it into some kind of biblical epic, but it's developing a mind of its own :o

[Miss Vicky]

It's still in relatively early stages but it's about man's abuse of the planet and how man is ultimately punished for it. I'm trying not to make it into some kind of biblical epic, but it's developing a mind of its own :o

I see. I'm not good at conveying messages with my work. I just come up with stories that are interesting to me and that serve no purpose other than to entertain. I'm shallow that way, I guess.

BTW, I chose a title to put on my Copyright registration: Erratic Circles

It sounds a little strange, I know, but I think it makes sense for the book. As much as I liked most of the suggestions put forth, none quite seemed to fit - though it's still too early to say if I'm going to ultimately use that title when I go to publish.

I sent off my application today. Now comes the waiting. The first time I registered for a copyright it took almost an entire year before I got my certificate. Ugh.

[bretonbanquet]

I see. I'm not good at conveying messages with my work. I just come up with stories that are interesting to me and that serve no purpose other than to entertain. I'm shallow that way, I guess.

BTW, I chose a title to put on my Copyright registration: Erratic Circles

It sounds a little strange, I know, but I think it makes sense for the book. As much as I liked most of the suggestions put forth, none quite seemed to fit - though it's still too early to say if I'm going to ultimately use that title when I go to publish.

I sent off my application today. Now comes the waiting. The first time I registered for a copyright it took almost an entire year before I got my certificate. Ugh.

Not shallow at all. Stories just written to entertain are often the ones that sell zillions of copies. People can pick up their own messages anyway - not everyone wants to be preached to when they read a novel, so that's the problem I'm facing as I write mine.

That sounds like quite a good title - it should get people wondering what it's all about, and thinking about the meaning of the title as they read through the book. Anyway, like you say, you can always change your mind!