 | 27 Oct 05 |
Karin gets credit for the name of this new blog. (Applause.)
Titles are not my strong suit. I thought they were when I first started writing. My first manuscript I called Hot Latte because the heroine went to the corner coffeehouse every morning. Then I came up with the catchy Protecting Hart, which was my female-bodyguard-protecting-sexy-politician story. Watch Your Back was my attempt at a real mystery (as opposed to suspense). Then came Fatal Secrets . . . my paranormal romantic suspense set in the future.
None of those books will be published. And the titles? I tried to resurrect the last two, but they didn’t fly . . . with my agent OR my editor.
That’s okay, though. Each unpublished manuscript was a learning experience.
The Copycat Killer, my fifth completed manuscript, had it. What’s it? I don’t know, I just sensed this book had it. So I queried agents, ended up with a really good one, and she sold the book to Ballantine . . . under a different title. It sold as Dead Letter, per my fabulous agent. (And here I thought The Copycat Killer was a good title and had a twist, because the villain copies murders out of my heroine’s books.)
Almost immediately, my editor told me the title had to go.
Back to the drawing board, or rather the critique group. But none of the suggestions stuck, and my editor came back with Killing Secrets.
Okay. It fit. It started to grow on me.
Fast forward nearly a year. My editor calls. Title has got to go. Okay, what’s it going to be? Well, they tell me, why don’t I come up with some ideas? And while I’m at it, think about titles that will connect all three of my books.
And here, I thought naming my kids had been difficult.
Back to the crit group. This time, it was my good friend Kathia who had the idea. She’d read the second book of the trilogy, The Hunt, and loved the title. It fit the book. So she came up with The Chase, The Hunt and The Kill. I ran them by my agent . . . pass. Ran them by the editor . . . loved them.
Fast forward a couple months . . . The Chase has to go. The powers that be thought it sounded too soft for a rather dark romantic suspense. They came up with The Prey.
Why hadn’t I thought of that?
At least I titled one of my books.
So when the five of us started talking about titles for the blog, I stepped back. (Okay, actually I had a few ideas, all of which went past the group without comment. They were universally bad.)
Karin came up with Murder She Writes.
Natalie came up with our fabulous tag line, courtesy of Mae West.
And me? I’ll stick to writing hundred-thousand word books and leave the titles–and tag lines–to the experts.
Welcome to our blog. We hope you enjoy your stay.
© 2005 – 2009 Allison Brennan. All rights reserved.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award winning author Allison Brennan has published fourteen romantic thrillers with Ballantine, plus a novella and four short stories. She lives near Sacramento, California with her husband and five children. Recently, RT Book Reviews said, “A master of suspense, Brennan does another outstanding job uniting horrifying action, procedural drama and the birth of a romance — a prime example of why she’s tops in the genre.” For fun Allison enjoys wine tasting, swimming, playing video games, and—of course–reading. Her most recent release is CARNAL SIN, the second book in the Seven Deadly Sins supernatural romantic suspense series. Her Lucy Kincaid series will launch in January, 2011 with LOVE ME TO DEATH.
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Thanks for starting us off, Allison! With this collective group of devious minds, we are sure to get into some trouble!
by Natalie R. Collins October 27th, 2005 at 8:18 amCongrats on getting MSW up and running! Looking forward to it. And LOL about sticking to 100K-word books.
by Amy October 27th, 2005 at 11:17 amI LOVE the way the blog looks. Great title too. Karin’s the best at titles–and sex. In her books, of course.
Congrats on the new blog. You’re off to a great start!
by Edie Ramer October 27th, 2005 at 6:51 pmWhat a great new blog, Allison. I look forward to being a regular visitor. Congratulations on a great looking site and great blog partners (well, I know Karin is great, and I’m assuming the two of you hang out with other great people
)
by Michelle Diener October 27th, 2005 at 11:10 pmThanks, gang! I appreciate you stopping by to visit my new digs. With a blog like this, who needs a personal blog? (It’s coming, it’s coming . . . )
A
by Allison October 28th, 2005 at 5:52 amToo funny. Names are vital and yet what we might think works – loved the chase / the hunt / the kill. Great concept. Although the prey is excellent. Kind of reminds me of Natalie’s twist of names. I am very much looking forward to this blog. And now I have to go buy your book. Because a mere rant on names held my attention tight.
by Cele October 28th, 2005 at 9:25 amThanks Cele! Titles fascinate me . . . I’ve blogged in the past about covers and titles, now I have a new twist on it because MY cover was recently changed . . . until next time . . .
A
by Allison October 28th, 2005 at 10:27 amWaving to everyone from the freaking freezing cold Balitmore Harbor. (hey, I came from sunny 78 degree California).
by Karin October 28th, 2005 at 12:13 pmI’ll blog tomorrow when we get underway.
ciao, and I’m so glad everyone loves our look. I think Justin may have a hair or two left after all five of us murderous chicks gave him input. Justin, were you dreading the forwarrds? You’re a keeper.
Hey Allison, I’m totally title-challenged too. And my books aren’t even 100,000 words, so you got me beat! The only title of mine that my editor ever kept was actually Natalie’s suggestion of FAST BOYS for the anthology.
And a big THANK YOU to Jason! He did a great job on the blog.
Karin, umm, if you are cold, just take a peek at the cover of your book, that’ll warm you up right quick!
Natalie, you know trouble will follow you where ever you go. Don’t be shy–tell everyone how you attract trouble!
Deborah is our woman of grace and dignity. We plan to corrupt her
I can’t believe I’m so late to comment on Allison’s post. In my head (scary place, never go there) I had already commented.
by Jennifer October 28th, 2005 at 12:54 pm[...] But cover art is only part of the overall package. Titles are also important. The Prey went through a series of titles before being final. Even three within the publishing house! [...]
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