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Hi! I was wondering how you come up with titles for the name of books? I've started writing my own book. It took me a long time to think of a name. I finally thought of one, when I was doing something completely different. I had to write it down so I wouldn't forget. The same question for chapters too? I've been lucky so far, I have currently a name for each chapter. What do you do when you have writers block and you can't think of a name? (I like to have titles for my chapters).

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The titles of books just happen. They just bubble to the surface at the oddest times so trust yourself that the right name will come to you. However, what I didn't realise until I was involved with HarperCollins is that marketing actually plays a vital role in the naming of a book.

You see I came up with Betrayal and that was fine - everyone loved it because it was the recurring theme in the story. However, once the artwork was done and the font chosen for the cover and we had a "look" for the trilogy, I then was not permitted to call my book 2 something like "A Dead Man Abroad" as a mad example. Why? Well because it was four words instead of one and clashed with its predecessor. Also the artwork would not permit such a long title! I found myself cornered and needing a one word title for each book. And by book three I turned to the gang here and we chewed over many suggestion in the early days.

So choose carefully. You don't even have to name it - give it a working title which you can refer to and then if the book's picked up by a publisher you can make decisions much closer to the deathknock if you want to. By then everyone will have a clearer idea on the story and also the cover art.

Having said that, my working titles have stuck.

As for chapters. It's hard, hard work giving each chapter a name. Now that I'm on the fifth novel, it's not so much that I'm running out of ideas as I find it really tedious.

The key to naming a chapter is not to reveal anything of what's coming other than a mild teaser or hint towards what it might contain. So you end up with very abstract sounding chapters such as
Knave's Surprise. This tells the reader nothing but it is relevant. Believe me that gets harder and harder.

Already my editor has said shall we drop chapter names and I've readily agreed for this second series.

I think for your first book though it's lovely and you should enjoy drawing the map, planning the glossary, naming chapters and all that goes with the excitement of working on a manuscript. I'm afraid I approach this now rather more like a career so it's all a bit businesslike when we get down to structuring the actual book. I only put a glossary in if we really require it - so far haven't needed one.

After that long winded chat let me say that you shouldn't fret over the naming of your book. I promise you the right one will strike you at the right time. As for chapters - name them as you go along. Bit hard to name ahead of writing it but I guess some people might do that. As I don't know what I'm going to write later today I couldn't possibly guess what a chapter in a few weeks should be named.

I agree that giving a chapter a name is rather nice but it's not essential and just remember not to give away the plot or what's coming in that chapter.

Hope this helps? F

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I think for your first book though it's lovely and you should enjoy drawing the map

Is this really Fiona speaking?

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Hi. Thank you Fiona for the great tips. They were very helpful. lider">

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<pout> A MAP?! They want maps?? mg">

I can't draw maps! <sniff> lol

I have it set in my mind, but it never looks right when I try to draw it. I can see Scarlotta Mountains in my minds eye, I can see the gypsey's moving through the forest, I can even see my newest species home!

But when it comes to maps...... I confuse myself.

As a reader, I like to track the characters movements, but if there's no map, then it's still all good.

Any tips on map-making?

Beers and Berries,
Sat

*The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return*