What's in a Name?

 Writing Tips: Characters and Titles

Be careful what you name your characters. It is safe to say that if some authors had gone with their first inclinations, sales would have been dismal. 

Scarlett O'Hara was originally Pansy in Gone With the Wind. Arthur Conan Doyle considered the name Sherringford for Detective Sherlock Holmes. Before Nancy Drew was decided on, names discussed included Stella Strong, Diana Drew, Diana Dare, and more. Small Sam, Little Larry and Puny Pete were all in the running before Charles Dickens settled on Tiny Tim for A Christmas Carol. Little Orphan Annie was nearly Little Orphan Otto. Harold Gray’s newspaper syndicate publisher said the character looked more female and told Gray to add a skirt. Luke Skywalker prevailed over Luke Starkiller, which popped up for other characters. 

  It is equally important to choose meaningful, attention-grabbing titles. Color, title, and author's name are primary factors in books sales. I need a good, strong title before writing a book. . For years Mom and I listed every possible title that related to the plot, then pitted them against each other until we had the perfect choice. Sometimes, however, titles leap off the page during the  writing. Such as Renee DeMarco's Remnants of Faith and my Silver Lining in our Patchwork Christmas collection. 

 

There are many ways to capture readers with titles. I particularly like (and use) alliteration.
My Juli Scott Super Sleuth Mystery Series includes,  Mysterious Monday, Trouble on Tuesday, Wednesday Witness, Thursday Trials, Friday Flight, and Saturday Scare.

Related words
 Shepherd Of Love  series  Lamp in Darkness, Flickering Flames, A Kindled Spark, Glowing Embers, and Hearth of Fire. 

Rhythm. School Bells and Wedding Bells (coming soon) refers to the plot and sings.

Titles also work for a variety of other reasons.

• Anita Corrine Donihue's first book, When I'm on My Knees, which sold over a million copies, informs readers immediately that it is a book of prayers. 
• Judy Dearborn Nill's Ties That Blind, a play on words, promises a story of attachment compounded by misplaced trust.
•  Renee Riva's Happy Camper title is inscribed on a rugged background with a fire in the snow to indicate adventure.
• Susan K. Marlow's CIrcle C Beginnings, Circle Adventures, Circle Stepping Stones, and Circle C Milestones series titles assure readers there is more about Andi Carter and her California ranch home. 

 Some titles I find appealing are Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, Zane Grey's The Light of Western Stars, Margaret Craven's I Heard the Owl Call My Name, and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time.

The Last Word 

Invest as much time as it takes to name your characters and title your manuscripts.Make sure they fit personalities and plots. Never submit an untitled piece. Tell editor it is a working title if you aren't satisfied with our final choice. 

Note: Editors often change titles. My Autumn Dale, Canyon Nurse (set in southern Utah) became Nurse Autumn's Secret Love. I didn't care for the change but the company knew their readership. It reaped some of the best sales of the eleven romances I did for Avalon Books.

 Colleen's books