What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would still smell
as sweet. Right? And why am I asking this question?
Simple. Some of my friends in my local writing group think my
title “Forbidden Connection” sounds like an erotica novel. Since my story is YA,
I can’t have a title on it which is that suggestive. Back to the drawing board,
title choice number five!
Any suggestions?
Needless to say, it’s the “forbidden” part that suggested
bodice rippers to my friends, and “connection” is a vital part of the story.One of my friends suggested I try “Wrong Connection”, but
the word “wrong” implies there is a right connection other than who Mathias
connects with, which isn’t any truer than this being an erotic novel.
“Unexpected Connection” better suits the story I have
started for the sequel, so I don’t want to use that this time around. Let alone
that I find it disconcerting that anyone would think a title of one of my
stories sounds erotic, especially since it was Konnie’s youngest daughter who
came up with that title for me.
Yeah, you got it. I’m terrible at titles.
As I’ve said before I generally call a story by the main
character’s name until someone suggests a better title. I have only a handful
of titles I’ve come up with myself, most of mine still have the main
character’s name as a title. In fact, at first, I had considered using Mathias
and Mary (the two main characters) as the title of Forbidden Connection, but I
prefer two-word titles, so for me that is too long. So I tried “The Outsider”
but that sounds like “The Outsiders” and I didn’t want anyone to confuse my
story for that one, so I tried the “The Connection” until my lovely innocent
niece said “Forbidden Connection” is more evocative of what the story is about
than simply “The Connection.” Evocative is right. Maybe a little too evocative.
And yeah, I know that publishers generally do change the
titles, but I have to consider how any publisher, who gets my query will feel
about the title it currently has. I can’t have anyone thinking I sent an
erotica novel to a YA editor or publisher.
Okay, using the Thesaurus, other possible word choices
instead of “Forbidden” is “Prohibited, Outlawed, or Illegal” while the only
viable alternate for “Wrong” is “Unsuitable”, but I’m not at all sure which
would be the best choice to rename this story.
So, I guess what I need is a poll and have everyone vote on
which choice they like best. The word with the most votes wins.
Vote in the comments.
A. Prohibited
B. Outlawed
C. Illegal
D. Unsuitable
E. You
say something else
Please remember, the sequel is “Unexpected Connection”, so
don’t suggest that one. And for those of you who haven’t read it, “Connection” is
the most important part of the story, which is why I’m using it in the title
for the sequel.
I’d give you the blurb, but I’m still working on that too.
In other words my writing group didn’t like that either, but
they gave me some really good suggestions, so I think I can fix it, just
haven’t had time to do it, yet, because, as I mentioned two weeks ago I got
called to serve a service mission for my church. The thing is when I went to
get “set apart” for that position I also received the call to be an indexing
worker for the church.
That call was made official this past Sunday. So, my Sunday
was pretty busy. After our meetings I had to get lunch then meet with the
sister who was to train me on doing the indexing at the Family History Library,
then when I was done with that, I had to go home and get dinner before I went back
to the church for a missionary fireside.
Yeah, I was tired when I got home, but Monday wasn’t much
better, since I had my mission work from 9 am – 1 pm and volunteering at the
Pocatello Visitor’s Center from 3 – 6 pm Monday. Tuesday, I wanted to go a
concert some friends of mine are in, but by the time I got home from doing
mission work, I was too tired to do more than fix dinner. I missed the concert.
I’m glad the only thing I have on my calendar for today is
getting this post up, because maybe I’ll be able to get some chores done, and
possibly finishing a birthday present for a certain someone.
And I’m not going
to tell you what it is, because obviously, she reads my posts :D
Happy writing everyone!