Saturday, July 18, 2009

What's In a Title?


I have a dilemma with the title of my book, currently named "Taming the Heart". The publishing company that might be interested in it (no contract yet) doesn't like the title and wants something that does not include the word heart. I will post more information in the future about this possible publication, but for the time being I need your help. I've been through just about every title I can think of, hundreds actually, and am still coming up empty. So, here is the little blurb about my book:

In this tale of magic, mystery and forbidden love, Kira Edwards finds herself falling for a man who’s been cursed with the heart of both a lion and a tiger—a hybrid. His overwhelming desire to devour anything with a pulse causes him to put his feelings aside to keep her safe. However, the spicy little red head that’s captured his heart has other plans.


Kira thought she knew everything about her best friend, Lydia, until a brutal attack during a photo shoot leaves Lydia seriously injured and the two of them stranded on a secluded mountain. When Lydia refuses to let Kira go for help, Lydia is forced to reveal the fact that she’s from another world—a world filled with powerful magic and evil forces. Kira soon discovers Lydia’s sister, Shandira, is behind the attack and seeks to take Lydia’s life. To make things worse, Lydia summons her brother, Octavion, who blames Kira for the attack, almost killing her. When she volunteers to accept a healing charm, risking her life to heal Lydia, he finds himself not only fighting his primal hunger, but his unbridled feelings for Kira. The decision to stand by her friend, even though the world around her is falling apart, helps Kira embrace her inner strength, bringing her the confidence she needs to stand up to the forces that seek to destroy them all. Her quick witted sense of humor makes a wonderful contrast to Octavion’s explosive temper, causing both to give in to their only common emotion…love. Will that love be enough to suppress Octavion’s fierce desire to take her life? Or will Kira be able to tame the wild beast that lives within his heart?


This is a romantic fantasy, but I think they may be leaning more toward putting it in the fantasy section, which explains the whole "no heart" thing. Keeping that in mind, I'd love to hear what you come up with.


Also, if you have your own "title" horror story, I'd love to hear that as well. Maybe I won't feel so panicked.

8 comments:

  1. This might be so dumb, but what about "Taming the Beast"? Or, "Taming the Wild". I love thinking of titles! I will think of some more and get back to you. You can laugh if you want!:)

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  2. Ok, I'll try my hand. What about "The Beast Within" or "Fire and Ice" or what about the name of the world you created? Just some thoughts.

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  3. Maybe "Untamed"? (I love SHORT titles.) Or "The Untamed", or another word that really comes to mind when I think of taming is "feral". You'd have to put more thought into the word than I can give you right now... Good luck!

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  4. I like Crystal's suggestion Untamed. And have none of my own suggestions. I will keep thinking though.

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  5. The word that stood out of your synopsis for me was:

    Hybrid

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  6. You guys seriously ROCK! Keep the title ideas coming. I'm taking notes. Maybe I should give a prize for the winning title. Hmmmmm....something to think about.

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  7. Ooh! i like Untamed too! That's really strong! I'm so sorry you're still struggling with this. I'll see if I can come up with anything else! Jenni

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  8. Hi I'm new to your blog, but your dilemma intrigued me. So I hope you don't mind me making a suggestion. Untamed is really cool, but I think it needs more. My personal opinion is: if they want to put it in fantasy the title needs to allude to that. Maybe Untamed Magic or Healing the Untamed. Anything that can give it the hint at what the fantasy is like the world or the things that make it different. Try searching previous fantasy titles and see if they inspire you. :)
    Sorry this was long. Hope it was helpful.
    I love this blog. Thanks for having it.

    Erica

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