Are you a sucker for great titles? Thought so. Otherwise why would you be reading a post titled "Tantalizing Titles?"
If you're a writer you may know that this week is WriteOnCon, an online writing convention (so convenient) for kidlit writers, complete with panel discussions involving agents, editors, and authors, pubbed and unpubbed. This is my first year participating. I actually submitted the first 250 words of HAUTE MESS, even though it's been through major edits, the full is out, and my critique partners vomit when they hear the word "fashion." I really want to get a feel for what others think of my first page because I can apply that to what I'm working on now. Since I submitted a piece to be critiqued, I must in return critique other submissions. So, do I randomly select which ones I want to critique out of a long list? No. Do I choose according to genre? No. I have eclectic taste in reading, so the genre doesn't matter to me. I'm choosing which works I want to critique by TITLE.
As far a books go, here is a (very) short list of titles I love for various reasons:
I'd Tell You I'd Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter, Young Adult Contemporary
How can you NOT love that title? Much like the beloved GoldFinger, Octopussy, etc titles of the 007 movies, all the titles in Ms.Carter's Gallagher Girl series, where teen girls attend a spy school, are of this nature.
Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman, Adult Contemporary
Did you have to reread to see if it said domestic violence? I LOVE a play on words. The main character's last name is Violet. The author can make ordinary or dismal circumstances hilarious. I highly recommend this read if you are a fan of sarcasm.
It by Stephen King, Adult Horror
You all know it and probably take the title for granted. It's an aptly titled freaky-ass book. If you didn't know what this book was about, wouldn't you have to at least pick up the novel and read the back because of the title alone?
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, Adult Chick-Lit
Once you read the book (or watch the movie, but the book is better) you understand what exactly is borrowed. It's cute, clever, and catchy. (Something Blue is the companion novel.)
Haute Mess, by Tonya Kuper, Young Adult Romantic-Comedy
Heh. Kidding. I do LOVE my title though. ; )
What's one of your favorite titles? Or if you're a writer, what's the title of your novel or WIP?
Oh man... I don't think I have a favorite title. My titles are FRACTION OF STONE (YA Fantasy), ALREADY THERE (YA Contemp) and THE CRICKET PROJECT (YA Scify)
ReplyDeleteI do really love Haute Mess! :) Very cute.
Kelley, Those are awesome titles! I especially LOVE THE CRICKET PROJECT!!!! I'd totally pick up the book to read the back cover just by the title. Thanks for sharing! : )
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE titles! A cool title will definitely make me pick up the book (same for the cover). I can't pick just one, but here are some titles I think are PERFECT: A Wrinkle in Time, Anna and the French Kiss, Twilight, If I Stay, and Haute Mess. :) Seriously, your title rocks. So does it's sequel, Lucy Couture. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd NIL. LOL
Fun post Tonya! ((hugs))
Thanks, Lynne! NIL is an AMAZING title - and an amazing book. I remember when we talked about you changing the title...and my vote was for NIL! I can't wait to see it on the shelves.
ReplyDelete:D