Title attraction.

I'm back...did anyone miss me?

My son is doing well after his surgery except for the sleep factor but we are working on that.

Thanks to everyone who took part in Writing the Next Line.  I may try it again next month. The story looks great and I'll post it later this week. Great job guys!

Also, thanks to all of you who gave me feedback on my old version of chapter 1.  It was put up on the Beta Club for open critique this past Thursday. All of your feedback was very helpful and Roni is awesome.  I hope to put something else on there soon.  Thanks Roni!

Here is something I've been thinking about. Titles. That's right, titles. The title of your book is very important just like the cover art (which is a whole other topic). The title catches the readers eye to draw them into picking up your book, opening it up and at least forcing them to read the inside jacket.

Lately, I have been thinking about the title of my WiP. Currently, it's a working title but I'm not sold on it. I think it's a little generic and there are many other books that have the same name but I'm going to wait until my manuscript is complete to rename it.

I do look to other books to see what pulled me in, what made me want to read them. Some books have a name that is obvious. Names that pretty much tell you what the book is about.

Dracula by Bram Stoker--about Dracula told from Jonathan Harker's POV.

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice--About an interview with --you guessed it-- a vampire.

Both of these books are classics in my mind but both with simple and self explanatory titles.

Then there are titles that maybe hint at something in the book but it's not the dominate theme or plot. These intrigue me because I wonder how the author decided on them. They really make me want to know what is this book about.

Shiver by Maggie Steifvater- Sure Sam shivers in this book along with making me shiver due to the temperature reminder at the beginning of each chapter.

hush,hush by Becca Fitzpatrick-- I'm still figuring this out maybe it went over my head--that happens. I think I remember a line in the book including these two words.  It doesn't matter-- I love the book.  The cover art didn't hurt on this one either.

Then there is the series.  If my book was ever published (and that's a big 'if') I do have a second book in mind.  So when I finally decide on a title I will have to keep in mind a title for the next book (it's plotted out in my head). Series titles are interesting too.

Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer-- I know some of you don't like this series but you have to admit it is clever. The titles--Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.  See the theme?

The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlene Harris--Every title has the word dead in it. Dead after Dark, Club Dead, Dead to the World...you get the idea. There are about 10 books in the series and I'm not naming every one.

Not every series has titles that relate which is fine too.  It gives each book it own personality seperate from it's brothers and sisters.

Back to Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice--That series contains Interview with a Vampire, Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned and Tale of the Body Thief. Sure there is sort of a theme but it wouldn't surprise you if they were not.

See the books go together but look like they don't have to be.

So this gives me a lot to think about when naming my baby. What are your thoughts on the subject?

How do you go about naming your manuscript?

Do you name it at the start of writing, the middle or when you are finished?

What are your favorite titles?

How important is a title to you?

Don't forget to sign up for the last line blogfest Mat 1st at Lilah Pierce's blog.  Should be fun!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I'm so happy to be back.
Have a great day!

Cool Contests..yes more.

Yes, another contest --I really should try and post these on the side of my blog.  I'll work on that. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to just post but I feel I need to post contests for you guys. 

 Check out abby annis-She has reached 100 followers and is giving away Fallen by Lauren Kate and The Dark Devine by Bree Despain --and also a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

And this awesome contest---Yes I jumped on the bandwagon for this one.  I can't wait to read this...

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

I still have to figure out how to post this on Facebook.  I am so technically challenged :) Whew! too many contests.  Thanks for all your responses on my silly question yesterday.  I hope to post a snipit tomorrow in honor of Valentine's Day.  If I can build up my courage.

Have a good day!

Reviews and Thanks

First, I wanted to thank everyone for visiting my blog and leaving their inspirational comments yesterday.  I took all to heart so thanks for taking the time. By the way, Karen G --I thought of you as I made my kids lunch--so thanks.
Also, a big thank you to Carolina (Carol's Prints) for the lovely Silver Lining Award. I think I have to name some blogs that are uplifting. This is hard for me to do because all the blogs I follow are inspirational. I guess I will narrow it down.



                          

1. Kelly's Compositions

2. Beautiful Chaos

3. Jenni James

4. The Climb

I am still trying to figure out the how to link the blogs I mention so when someone clicks on your blog name it will go directly to your blog.  So if anyone has any pointers let me know :)

My post today is simple I decided to give some thoughts --well-- reviews of a couple of things.  Both are things I love --reading and music.  I am not an expert in either field but I thought I would share my opinion.

Book Review--- I finally finished the book Shiver by Maggie Steifvater. I liked it.  I thought some things could have been chopped because towards the middle of the book my mind seem to wander but by the end it started to pick up.  I really like how the author wrote from two perspectives.  Both main characters got to express their feelings and thoughts and the author wrote it smoothly so there was no confusion when she switched to each character.  She also described things beautifully-- her words made me envision what she was trying to convey (very clearly I might add). 
I could have used less of the food --there is a lot of meals being made in great detail and I thought there was too much time spent on this.  I really didn't think it was needed.
I also thought there could have been a little more conflict for the couple in love.  They needed some bumps in the road to hold their love true. I like conflict --you know--fight for their love.

So there you have it-- my opinion on the book Shiver.  The next book I am reading is --hush,hush by Becca Fitzpatrick stay tuned for that review.

Music review- I really like the band Vampire Weekend.  I have their self titled debut album and absolutely love it.  So I was a little nervous about their second album Contra.  I was nervous because sometimes when I love an album completely the next one has a lot to live up to.    So when I first bought this I was not sure of the outcome.  The result--I love this one too.  Each song has it's own feel and these guys have a knack for producing interesting mix of beats and melodies.  My kids even love the single "Cousins".  They dance around the room when they hear the first couple of chords.  Great to release energy :0

Does anyone have any favorite books or music they would like to share? What do you like to get out of a book or album? What inspires you to write?

Catching up

I am finally getting back to the list of books that I have been wanting to read. I love to read but usually take my time especially when I am writing a story. In the past, I read many classics --many of which contain vampire themes (my favorite). Recently, I have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlene Harris. I am on book four and its seems to be moving a little slow. So I started the Immortal Series by Alyson Noel --Evermore and Blue Moon. I know there is a third book-- Shadowland-- which is on my list.

Then yesterday, I went to the book store and finally picked up something new--well--new for me. I picked up Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater and started reading it last night. It was recommended by a friend and I really like it so far. I will let you know what I think when I finish it.

Does anyone have any favorite books they would recommend?

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!