I didn't nest at the end of my first two pregnancies. I think I'm making up for it this time around. Yes, I have triple nesting syndrome. And let me tell you trying to scrub and scour, especially those hard to reach places that I haven't cleaned in way too long for me to mention here, is not only exhausting but extremely difficult with this HUGE, and by huge I mean GINOROMOUS stomach. In the past two days the baby must have doubled in size. I'm NOT exaggerating. No kidding.
I am being induced on December 21. Unless he decides to come earlier than that. He'll be 39 weeks that day. I'm not placing any bets that he'll come earlier.
Feel free to.
And there is no way to tie that info to writing. So I'm just going to switch topics now.
We've covered TITLES on this blog before because we were surprised to learn over the summer (@ WOC and I believe through a query contest @ Mother. Write. Repeat with agent Sara LaPolla) that TITLES MATTER. We always figured they'll be changed later so why spend a heck of a lot of time sweating over the title.
BUT if our last post on how titles matter didn't convince you, maybe this post (by agent Suzie Townsend ) will. See it here. (And yes, apparently she requested 37 manuscripts from her last query contest. Mine was not one of them. Remember? YA contemporary is too hard to sell right now. (Especially mine because it does not stand out in a crowd. *sniff*)
Personally, I love choosing my title. Unfortunately, once I choose one (usually before I begin writing or shortly after getting going), and it stays the same. I grow attached.
I figure the best thing to do is choose a fitting title it when the novel is all said and done, but since when do I listen to my own advice?
I've recently started hanging out and posting stuff at Query Tracker (Did you know they had forums there? I didn't. They're nice and very helpful.) Besides just critiquing my query, one person commented on my title and why it didn't work for them. Nobody has ever commented on my title before, so it was a bit of an eye opener for me. It made me realize that people will have an opinion on it and it may determine whether or not they choose to read/crit my stuff.
The same goes for agents.
So, put a little extra thought into how your title represents AND SELLS your manuscript!
Good luck in December, I'm sure, like Julian of Norwich always said, 'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'
ReplyDeleteGood luck. My baby is almost six months old. Enjoy it while it lasts!
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of your pregnancy goes really smoothly!
ReplyDeleteI like the title process. I've usually kept one from beginning to end, but I have been known to change them. I think I've done pretty well with them, though. A person or two not liking it is one thing, but I definitely think asking for feedback and taking it seriously is a good idea.
His birthday is going to be close to mine! Yay! I couldn't agree more about the title. We must put a lot of thought into it because it's the first impression we get to make. However, we also can't get attached to it as publishers tend to change it.
ReplyDeleteA title critique. I never even thought of that (probably because I was in the mindset of "who WOULDN'T like this title?").
ReplyDeleteGood luck this month! I hope the little guy has a happy birth-day :)
Good luck with your baby in December. I hope all goes well. :)
ReplyDeleteTitles are icky for me. I can never get them right and the ones I end up with I rarely like them. That's why I use acronyms so often to refer to my wips.
Titles are important. I actually just posted on my blog how to choose good titles, if anyone is interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://juliedaines.blogspot.com/2011/11/rose-by-any-other-name.html