I explained the bare minimum of my book before and I had so many wonderful responses to it! But now I think it's time I tell you a little bit more about the world I have built.
First of all, I have six books and six, tentative titles for those books. I'd love to hear any ideas about my titles you have. Do they sound alright? Do they sound too forced? Do you hate them? Love them? I had this idea when creating them to make them all have the name of a mythical creature that appears in my world inserted inside the title. Is that silly? I just like links in my story, things that go full circle and connect the beginning with the end.
Book 1: Dragon Marked
Book 2: Never Trust a Pixie
Book 3: When a Goblin Invites You to Dinner
Book 4: The Peace of the Pegasus
Book 5: Song of the Siren
Book 6: Dragon King
The title of the third book, When a Goblin Invites You to Dinner, I feel unsure and worried about more than any of the other titles. I don't know that it sounds right aloud, or would look good on the cover of the published novel (and I'm determined that these WILL get published, at least, if I have anything to say about it). What do you think? Do you think it can be tweaked just a little and sound better? It really is a key point in the story, even appearing in two of the planned speeches.
Secondly, I have twelve realms to be explored over the course of the six books, and around twenty two creatures and cultures. And that number doesn't even include the animal-like creatures or the plant-like creatures or the legendary creatures (well, it does include the Nightmares). It's pretty crazy. I have a powerpoint with all these creatures and someday, I promise, I will upload it as a flash program or something and put it up here.
Thirdly, the series follows Mira's journey with her new friends across her world, seeking to unite the different cultures of the many creatures against the Nightmares. They have no chance of survival unless they work together against the Nightmares, but Mira and her friends have to convince the rest of their world that that's true. The first book shows how Mira becomes a part of that group, as well as setting up her friendship with Dewarve (the giant wolf), Cade (the dragon), Leif (the elf who competes for her interest), Morina (the elven maiden who's in love with Leif and jealous of Mira), and Elias (the elf who hates all humans in general and Mira in particular).
Can you tell why it took me eight months to research and plan yet?
My favorite quote about writing:
I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork. ~Peter De Vries
Thanks for reading, everyone, and happy blogging!
I must say I am more than a little jealous of your tenacity. I have been working on my current book for years (yes, years) and am not even halfway done. Admittedly, life has interrupted me time and time again, but I also keep coming up with unique ways to procrastinate. Your reaserch sounds indepth and I look forward to more posts from you. I love your titles, including the one you are questioning. It sounds quirky and without even knowing what the story is about, I want to reads it. Good luck!
ReplyDelete@3red Oh, don't be jealous of me! Do you know how many books I've given up over the years and not finished. I still haven't reached my goal on this one, and won't relax until I do. I've been working on my writing for years and never had a book publish-worthy.
ReplyDeleteLife has a way of interrupting. In the middle of writing your chapter for the day, someone knocks on the door, calls you on the phone, messages you on the computer, your favorite show comes on, the garden needs watering, you see that the dogs are chasing the chickens across the yard again...I'm sorry, what were we talking about?
Oh...right...
And I am the queen procrastinator. I procrastinate on procrastinating, I swear. Sure, I have all the excuses in the world for WHY I procrastinate, but it's still procrastination. And it is EVIL.
Really, you like my titles? Thank you so much! I've been so unsure about them, and you made me feel so much better!
Thank you a whole bunch for the wonderful, in-depth comment and I hope you have a wonderful day!
I always feel like i am a pretty creative person until I read something like this. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI do have to throw in my 2cents and say that the Goblin book sounds too much like "If you give a mouse a cookie" or at least, that is what popped into my head when I read it.
I love alliteration... so titles 4 and 5 are my favorite... I don't have suggestions for the other titles though!
Firstly, I think it's really great that you've been able to create and develop so many characters as well as all the diverse worlds. I find it incredibly hard when trying to create characters not to make them all Mary Sue's!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I like your titles, I think as you created the stories you should name them whatever you think is best. I've read many series where the titles of each book tends just to pop up once in the story - almost as if the author chose a random word from the text lol! I think its better if titles reflect the story like the Harry Potter series.
The titles of Book 1 and 2 are my favourites but to me the others don't sound as sharp. If that makes sense? How about Siren's Song? Pixie's Betrayal? or Peaceful Pegasus? I think I've just realised how hard it is to name stories! It's harder that it sounds!
Those were just my suggestions but the Goblin one is pretty tricky. I still think that as long as you're happy with all the titles then you can't go wrong :)
@Waiting Lol. I'm extremely creative, it's everything else I have issues with...I'm sure you're a very creative person, too.
ReplyDelete"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" is a good book, at least. But, yeah, I don't know if I like the rhythm of that title.
Alliteration is awesome! Can't deny that.
Thanks for the comment, and hope you're having fun!
@Hazel Thank you so much! I've worked very hard to develop them, I'm just hoping that comes through in the final product. Yes, a Mary Sue can so easily be slipped into, and I have to fight very hard not to let it, even after all the work.
I'm glad you like my titles! And I know what you mean! I don't get some books titles. I swear, the publisher just looked through the book and chose a few words they thought would make it sell, but didn't really represent the book itself.
Yeah, 1 and 2 are my favorites, too, though I enjoy 6, as well. Maybe you picked up on that. And I love your title, Siren's Song. Maybe I'll change Song of the Siren to that...
It is a lot harder than it sounds! A good title has to represent the story, be marketable, have rhythm, and catch the eye. Not always an easy thing to do.
Thanks so very much for the comment and for the support! I appreciate it more than I can say!
What about Invited by the Goblin? Does that sound better? Rhythmically speaking, I mean? How does it look? Or Following the Goblin? Goblin's Lies? A Goblin Fight?
I know it's a little early to worry. I just want to know the name of the book now, so I can make sure it fits the story (in exact wording, I mean). Thanks to all of you for your help in this!
Oops! When I said that Book 2's title was one of my favourites I meant Book 6! Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteAs for the new Goblin titles, they're great! Though as I don't know the story I can't really pick which one suits it more. Like, which one is more centered around the plot - the goblin lying, the goblin fighting someone, or someone following the goblin?
Lol I hope I'm not confusing you more! And that's really sweet of you to like my Siren's Song idea. I'm glad I can help suggest things :)
Aww no worries, I like ya and think you're lovely so I'm happy to help!
@Hazel Lol. You meant Book 6? Well, as I said, I loved that one, too.
ReplyDeleteWell, at the beginning of the book, a goblin tricks them into his city by lying and saying they'll be safe, and then they follow him into the city. When they get there, they have to fight to escape (or be eaten for dinner).
At the end of the book, a goblin Nightmare lies to trick the group to separate and be easier to kill off while they are apart, and each separate group follows him to some area where he abandons them to fight the Nightmare ambush by their selves, and ultimately they have to fight him in order to survive.
So, all the titles will work. It's just choosing which one sounds and looks the best, I think.
I loved your idea. I think the rhythm of Siren's Song might be better than Song of the Siren. I also appreciate you taking the time to suggest things!
I like you, too! You're so nice and friendly and take the time to really tell me what you think! I appreciate that so much!
What about Goblin Trickster? Seeing as a goblin tricked them into the city and then another one tricks them into separating?
ReplyDeleteAww I'm glad, I was afraid that I was coming across as too bold! lol
One thing I thought of when reading your titles, have you ever read any Piers Anthony novels? His titles are always very interesting and they kind of make a play on words. Some are groan worthy puns but they get a chuckle nonetheless. His Xanth series is a good read. I recommend it (you know, if your looking for a reason to prcrastinate). lol.
ReplyDelete@Hazel Hmm. I don't know about Goblin Trickster. Makes me think of Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen, two novels by Tamora Pierce, a little too much.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, you are not too bold at all! I hope I haven't seemed too bold in YOUR posts!
@3red No, I haven't read Piers Anthony. He sounds very interesting! What kind of books does he write? I'll definitely have to check him out...
But I really can't procrastinate anymore. I need to start checking off certain things for this book as done, otherwise I won't finish it for the 10-20 years everyone warns you about.
Thank you so much for the comment and the recommendation! I really appreciate it!
Ahh you see I've never read those books so I didn't know about them until now! No matter! Back to the drawing board we shall go :)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course you haven't been too bold on my blog! :)
Piers Anthony writes fanstasy novels for the most part but he has a couple series out there. They are easy reads and full of eye rolling puns. :)
ReplyDelete@Hazel Lol. I love Tamora Pierce. She's one of my favorite writers in the whole wide world.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I haven't been too bold. I tend to say my opinions a little too loudly and boldly for some people.
@3red I will definitely check Piers Anthony out. I love eye rolling puns. Thanks for the recommendation! And the great comment.