Help Me!
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If you know me at all, you know that I am not a big fan of the exclamation point. Question marks? I adore them. I would wallpaper an entire powder room in question marks given the opportunity (Hmmm). Sure, I use them from time to time, but usually sarcaustically (intentional misspelling – trying to remind myself that sarcasm is caustic). But in this title I have used an exclamation point very intentionally. To emphasize something. Something very important.
I need your help!
Okay, so here is the secret. Husband has been mocking me for days now for calling this thing a secret, for making it all melodramatic and mysterious. And, no, Internet, I am not pregnant. That would indeed be a big secret. The secret is that I am changing the title of my book. Or, 99% sure that I am changing it. Apparently, you never know with these things.
Here is the story. I received a call last week from my lovely editor that the publisher is not so thrilled with the title BLACKBERRY GIRL for a number of reasons (having to do with a mismatch between content and title, cover art, etc). After considerable back and forth, it became clear that I was supposed to whip up some new title possibilities. While this initially threw me for a major loop, I have become excited at the prospect of renaming my baby book.
So… this is where you come in. I would like your opinion. No, I would love it. I crave it like I crave candy pumpkins in October – a lot. Now, please know that the ultimate title decision is not totally mine. There are many players involved in this process who have various levels of expertise that I don’t, but I do have a say, a big one, and I want to get this right. So this is when I present you with five possible new titles and you vote. If you are new to this site and/or unacquainted with the broad strokes of the novel which I now must name, click here. And then tell me. What do you think?
- The Beauty of Doubt
- So Are You
- Finding Prudence
- You’re Not Him
- Insecurely Yours
I assure you that I have obsessed over this question for several days now. After harassing my poor family about this, I am now harassing you about this. Please know that each of the above titles is not arbitrary, but has meaning within the book – whether via a thematic reference, or an allusion to certain lyrics (Beatles! Yay!) Please let me know if a certain title jumps out at you or if any of these titles would make you want to buy the book. If you absolutely hate any of these, I guess you should tell me that too. But please know that the good folks at HarperCollins are mulling this over too, these very titles (and a few others), and at this point, I have no clue what the future holds. Which is kind of terrifying. But also very exciting.
A recap: I am not pregnant. I am a drama queen. My novel needs a name. I need you and your infinite wisdom. Now.
Everyone struggles and...
Ooh, I love a fun assignment. Of course it would be easier to determine which fits best if I’d read the book. But I’m assuming advance copies aren’t permitted by dear publisher… So, with limited knowledge, here’s my feedback:
1. The Beauty of Doubt – Not bad. Maybe a little dramatic. But I like that it embraces a change of heart.
2. So Are You – Kind of cryptic, but I like that. I assume that it takes on more meaning in context. It makes me want to read the book to figure out what the title means.
3. Finding Prudence – Nah. Sounds too much like a Dear Abby column.
4. You’re Not Him – Again, nah. Sounds too much like chick-lit. And while I know it’s a story that will likely be read by women, I suspect that there’s more substance to Quinn’s story than just searching for Mr. Right.
5. Insecurely Yours – I’m iffy about this one. But I think I’d ultimately vote against it. I think people might be less excited to read a book where the title suggests that the main character is going to be insecure. She may be that, and readers may love her for it. But they need to give her a chance in the first place.
So, my votes are: “So Are You” and then “The Beauty of Doubt.”
I will take Gale’s approach and work my way down the list. Although before I do that, I would like to make it known that I like the title Blackberry Girl better than all of the other titles listed here today. Of course, I haven’t read the book or seen the cover art so . . .
(1) The Beauty of Doubt — not a fan. Sounds like a very sad book and right now, I want to read fun books, even if the may cause some tears along the way.
(2) So Are You — not totally sold. I don’t like cryptic titles as a rule. I want you to tell me what the book is about!
(3) Finding Prudence — probably my favorite of the group. Although it makes the book sound kind of self helpish to me, which I don’t think is really your objective.
(4) You’re Not Him — not a fan. Don’t know why, just not.
(5) Insecurely Yours — I can’t come up with anything original so I am going to say ditto what Gale said.
I wasn’t particularly positive was I? Sorry about that, but I wanted to be honest!!
I like “Finding Prudence” the best, although only if there is a character named Prudence in the book. If not, and it’s merely a reference to one of my favorite Beatle’s songs, then I’m not so sure.
My second choice would be “The Beauty of Doubt.”
BTW: I LOVED Blackberry Girl, but I understand how these things go… Can’t wait to see what the final decision is!! (Sorry, I love exclamation points!)
I too shall follow the itemized strategy though I, too, like Blackberry Girl:
1. The Beauty of Doubt – for reasons I don’t quite understand it’s making me think of Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages or, better yet, something possibly non-fiction, scholarly, and required for students of metaphysics.
2. So Are You – eh. Not ringing my bells and also forcing me to rearrange the words to see if I like those permutations better: You Are So, So You Are, Are So You.
3. Finding Prudence – I like this, though better if there is a character named Prudence, because then you get two meanings for the price of one. I didn’t immediately get the self-help vibe, but now that other people have mentioned it, I can see why.
4. You’re Not Him – is making me think of the myriad he’s not into you blah blah blah and deeply prejudicing me against it.
5. Insecurely Yours – I liked. Until I read what your other commenters had to say, and now I’m on the fence. But now I think I might vote no because it’s not a play on a phrase. Whereas “insincerely yours” is funny because people would sign off with its opposite, “securely yours” doesn’t mean anything.
Again, Blackberry Girl had seduced me (which probably isn’t at all helpful if it’s now officially off the table). It was cute and playful; these titles for better or worse, sound more serious and more intentionally serious.
I echo Niki’s last sentence!
I’m going to throw my hat in the ring with “The Beauty of Doubt.” With the rationale simply being that, if I was faced with those five titles on a bookstore shelf, that’s the one I would immediately gravitate to (personally).
Based just on first impression, which title would make me pick the book up in the store, I like “The Beauty of Doubt.”
How exciting for you! How real is it to actually be choosing a title and discussing covers? These are things I daydream about.
If I were in a bookstore and saw a book named “Blackberry Girl” (before reading your blog) I would assume that it was light and fluffy. Not that Blackberries in any sense of the word are light and fluffy but add the word “girl” and it gets very young. I probably would not have picked up the book. Which would be a shame because I’ve read nearly every one of your posts and realize you are a very good writer with a unique perspective. A mix of humor, heart, truth and doubt. I would miss out on a great read if I by-passed Blackberry Girl. Don’t judge a book by its cover, right? Tell that to the art department and to the customers at Barnes and Noble.
That said, my top 2 choices are “The Beauty of Doubt” and “Insecurely Yours”. A great title and interesting cover art will make me pick up a book. Flip it over and read the back to see if I’m still interested and if so read the first paragraph. If I’m hooked in those first words I’ll buy it.
The Blackberry/blackberry part could be worked into the cover art somehow.
Front runner for me is “The Beauty of Doubt”.
Huh. I would not pick up a book called “The Beauty of Doubt.” Now I am feeling all insecure because everyone else seems to like that title.
The only one on that list that spoke to me was “You’re Not Him.” And I’m a high-falutin’ English major type. The other titles just really didn’t speak to me at all. This one title felt the most real. It also felt like a song lyric. I like song lyrics.
I’m going to brainstorm today, but that’s my opinion — obviously not a popular one, but for what it’s worth!
Well, this may be a pretty shameful thing to admit, but I would probably pick up or pass by any of those titles depending on the cover art. (Yes, I judge books by the cover. If I’ve heard absolutely nothing about them or the authors, what else am I supposed to go by? If the cover attracts, then I pick it up, read the back, read the first page or two.)
Anyway. I like “So Are You” but just now I’m realizing I had to scroll back up to the list to make sure it wasn’t “So You Are” or something else. If that particular word order is important in the book, it works. If it can be easily rearranged and confused, not so much.
I’m not thrilled with “The Beauty of Doubt” because it sounds so deep and serious, like a lengthy diatribe or lecture. BUT. If the cover art clearly contradicted that impression (maybe contradict is too strong?), I might have a change of heart.
If it was “Finding Prudence” I’d expect a character named Prudence to be prominently featured in the book. However, if by “Prudence” you’re referring to prudent behavior, I wouldn’t like it if that theme was slammed into me, pounded into my head, page after page. If it was just a Beatles reference, I’m not sure. I think I’d feel a little cheated by getting sucked in by only a pop culture reference. (BTW, were you able to actually quote lyrics in the book? I thought that’s incredibly hard to do with copyrights and stuff, especially for their body of work.)
“You’re Not Him” I don’t have a strong feeling about.
Overall, I think my pick would be “Insecurely Yours” although I’d expect a first-person narrator.
Oooo, fun! I am so excited for you! (Btw, I!love!exclamation!points! snort)
I say the Beauty of Doubt or Finding Prudence.
Or how about Finding Quinn? Wait, you didn’t ask for us to come up w/ titles, did you?
Ok I am working on 2 hrs of sleep, and just took 2 valiums, but I like Finding Prudence. The other ones don’t jump out at you, if I were to see the other titles I wouldn’t pick the book up, unless the image was really interesting. Prudence is a word you don’t hear everyday so I think it would cause people to pause and be like …what exactly is prudence…how does one find it? You feel me? I do like Blackberry Girl though also, although its really hard to say since I haven’t read the book. And btw love the name Quinn, I had it picked out as one of my possible girl names for Ezra. I will have a girl someday I swear! Ok done rambling, must go to bed.
My first instinct says 4 or 5…with a leaning towards 5.
Blackberry Girl caught my attention immediately. In two words, it indicated something about
the character
potential setting
potential age range of characters / lifestyle
sense of energy
nature of potential (contemporary) issues in the storyline
Not so, for any of the above.
(Putting my thinking cap on… with feathers and veil – which help.)
Please don’t get mad at me for saying this but I was always wary of the title ‘Blackberry Girl’. Maybe if you were writing something that eluded to the original Phebe poem, or maybe if you were writing a Zora Neale Hurston type tragedy involving mules, farms and berry picking I would respect the title. But for a 2010 book release ‘Blackberry Girl’ screams 2001 chick lit. And knowing your writing and what the story is about I am relieved that the title is changing.
I am smitten with ‘The Beauty Of Doubt’. That is a title I would be intrigued by. ‘The Beauty of Doubt’ is a novel by a new author. It’s a work of fiction to be taken seriously and not one to be tossed on the shelf with the rest of the pink covers. ‘The Beauty of Doubt’ escalates you to Curtis Sittenfeld status rather than Jane Green.
On a side note — have you ever read Jennifer Belle? I love her stuff — she’s intelligent, quirky and clever.
Never use ‘Prudence’ in a title.
‘So Are You’ could be interesting
I don’t like ‘You’re Not Him’
‘Insecurely Yours’ is original. And it screams your style. It doesn’t remind me of any other book or any other author. It is so YOU. And in 5 years when my writer friends ask me for title opinions, I would answer with ‘don’t use ‘insecure’ or ‘insecurely’. That is what I associate with the brilliant and best selling author Aidan Rowley.
I vote for “The Beauty of Doubt.” Second place is “Insecurely Yours.” Third place is “So Are You”
Hmmm…
The Beauty of Doubt – I like this. But there is a part of me that thinks it sort of sounds like a Dr. Phil book on self-help. “Beautiful Doubt” maybe? or “There is Beauty in Doubt” (don’t hate me for altering. You can totally tell me to shove off and I won’t be offended. I mean no harm with the suggestion!!) This is my vote from your list.
So Are You – I like this but I have no idea how it would describe your book (yes I read the summary page.)
Finding Prudence – “Dear Prudence.” I have been playing Beatles Rock Band.
You’re Not Him – The book is a journey of personal discovery, decisions, how life can change in the blink of an eye or the passing of a dream? I hate to say I don’t like this because it’s saying I don’t like your ideas or work which is emphatically NOT true.
Insecurely Yours – Have you considered combining the first and last options here to “The Insecurity of Doubt” or “The Beauty of Insecurity” The latter means kind of the same thing but rolls off my tongue easier.
Have you ever said a word out loud so many times that it starts to sound funny after a while?
Can you tell I do marketing for a living and am constantly scrutinizing words and what they mean and how they sound? I’m sorry I can’t turn that part of my brain off. (again, feel free to tell me to shove off.)
No matter what title you decide on the book is going to be great. I can’t wait to read it!
“Blackberry Girl” does sounds initially a bit outdated only because the crackberry has been mainstream in the City since 2000. Now, of the titles suggested above I like “The Beauty of Doubt” only I would play around with it more such as “In Beauty of Doubt” or “Beautifully, Maybe” or something catchy like that. If you go back to BG please disregard my first comment.
Well, I seem to be late putting my two-cents in. You have lots of feedback to mull over, but I’ll go ahead and vote for “The Beauty of Doubt”. Not that I really know you, but of all the titles, it reminded me the most of what you try to capture on your blog, which seems the most…you. I like “Insecurely Yours”, but I think “The Beauty of Doubt” has a stronger meaning/message for women.
On a different note, congrats on being so far along in this process! Are there days when you just think, “Wow…I’m picking a book title.” It’s a wonderful accomplishment.
The Beauty of Doubt is SO HOT RIGHT NOW.
The Beauty of Doubt
For what it’s worth, Insecurely Yours is my hands-down favorite. It fits the personality and writing style you convey here in your blog which I expect carries over into your novel as well. I like it.
Finding Prudence would be my vote for second place – interesting and with eye-catching artwork it would likely compel me to read more about it.
The Beauty of Doubt seems like a historical fiction title to me and your novel is not a period piece.
So Are You just didn’t stick with me and as somone else has already mentioned I kept having to go back and re-read it to make sure it wasn’t So You Are.
You’re Not Him I just don’t really like – no good reason.
Best of luck to you with this process. Can’t wait to see the finished product…very exciting.
oh aidan… i can’t comment about this on here. i’ll email you. i’m sorry you’re going through this though because this is your baby, and any and all transitions or changes are rough waters you have to ride out.
i need to marinate… i’m sad about “blackberry girl” though. i must say.
my heart is with you. it’ll come. your muse will sing.
I must say I’m quite sad to hear about ‘Blackberry Girl’. I liked the title for the same reasons BigLittleWolf stated. The others seem wishy-washy to me. Blackberry Girl is just more bold. But of the other titles, I vote Insecurely Yours as it ties in well with your blog.
I vote “Beauty of Doubt” but still love Blackberry Girl too. If I were to read Beauty of Doubt though I would expect an emotional, slightly tear-jerky love story. Not having read the book I can’t say whether that is accurate or not. Blackberry Girl seems more fun, upbeat chicklit (in a good way, I love chicklit!) to me.