Writing 101: What’s in a Name? // Naming Your Book // Episode 1

And you’re back for another post! How lovely that you chose to join me! And I have something special for you! A New Writing Series! I can’t wait to share it with you as it is a topic I’m super excited about! So, let’s explore this new series, shall we?

You’ve got the perfect story. Your characters are so perfect. Your setting is just right…now if only you could come up with a title!

First of all, go ahead and start writing so you won’t lose that brilliant idea. The title may just come to you as you write. This is very hard for me. The title helps me know where I’m going, but sometimes, I’ve had to just write and get my title later.

Next, make a list of the things that you want to communicate through your book.

Example from The Land of Cotton:

• The truth about the War for Southern Independence
• North Carolina
  
• The Gospel Message
  
• A cotton plantation not run with slaves
• Family divided
  
• Defending one’s homeland and family
• Loyalty
  
• Patriotism
  

Is music going to be a part of your story? Then pick a theme song, study the lyrics and pick your title. That’s what I did with The Land of Cotton. (Oh, I wish I was in The Land of Cotton…) It personifies everything I wanted for my book and it sets the mood very nicely.

Not so big on the “song” title? Try an important phrase you may use in the story. “They Need to See Our Loyalty”, “How’d This All Get Started?” or “Liberty is the Objective,” may have worked for my book.

Or I could have picked a person to focus on. “Seth Mason and the Stonewall Brigade,” “Fighting for Both Dixies,” “Michael’s Battle,” etc. Of course, if I had done that, the story would have had to be written from that person’s point of view exclusively. Keep that in mind.

I could have even gone with an idea from the story. “Fighting the Invader,” “States Rights or Death,” “Tarheels in Virginia,” “A Soldier Twice,” or “Southern Patriots” would have worked.

My story was set in Four Tree Springs, North Carolina, largely at Shady Grove Plantation. “Warriors of the Grove,” “Four Tree Springs at War,” or “May 20th, 1861” (The Date North Carolina seceded) pose possibilities.

Historic quotes are good too. I think you get the general idea. Inspiration is out there, but sometimes you have to dig. Or maybe your title is the easy part, and the story is the hard one! It can work both ways. 😉

Ultimately, it’s your book. There’s nothing wrong with asking others for input. Describe the idea behind your story to a friend and ask for suggestions.

Until next time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22