When bringing your work to life which is more difficult to write? The title or blurb?
It’s the first Wednesday of the month. Time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post à la author, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Join us here – https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the November 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!
While the working title of any given piece is ever morphing; I have a basic idea of the blurb as I’m finishing the book. I’ve let go of fantasizing about cover options. I’ve accepted it’s the publisher’s decision and I have no say in the matter. But, the title…
For me the title is the heartbeat of the piece. If I give it the wrong name during the, “Let there be light!” moment all my efforts will have been in vane. When the lightening strikes I’ll have missed my moment and failed my creation. The blurb is the ever important 25 second pitch to say, “Read. Me.” Still. I’ve found the title influences the cover choice the graphic designer will execute. This makes it hard for me to choose. I have commitment issues when it comes to titles.
Blurb or title? It’s a difficult question. Which is harder? I lean towards title. Which one do you find most difficult to write?
I agree. 25 seconds should do it. Happy IWSG day, Adrienne.
Thanks Joylene! I usually have a large chunk of mismatched pitches when I finish the project. After I’m done cobbling them together and whittling them down I get those crucial 2nd opinions. Happy IWSG Day.
For me, blurbs are generally harder. Titles have usually come to me with ease. However, for my current WIP, I am having trouble committing to the working title. It’s the third book in a series. The first two book titles came easy, but I’m not convinced of the third. I suspect it has something to do with me not publishing in over three years (for personal reasons) and I’m feeling a bit insecure. Not sure. Still trying to figure it out.
I feel you. I’ve been lagging in the publishing department, too. I have a few things in the pipeline, but it takes longer than usual during the pandemic for a team to get work out there. Insecurities abound! I’m sure you’ll (we’ll – fingers crossed) get back in the groove. Happy IWSG Day!
They do morph over time for me, too. I always think of my title as a working title right up to the end. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Ha! Even my “final” titles get retracted.
The title is important but the blurb is crucial! Yes… Great post!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
The blurb is crucial and difficult to nail down. This month’s seemingly short answer question was a tough one. 😉
I agree. The title and cover set the tone. Happy IWSG Day 🙂
Thanks Erika! Happy IWSG, and thanks for co-hosting!
Ideas always generate titles, and vice versa for me. Blurbs are a lot of hard work and I really don’t get it right until the work is close to finished.
I’m the same except for the title part. I wish I could come up with something great like, The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Big Sleep or Kiss Me Deadly.
I lean toward title too. They’re hard to come up with and sometimes there’s other titles like the one you come with.
The curse of the used title. Especially when you think you had an original thought.
You make some great pointers about the title in that it will influence practically everything! Never thought about title in this light before. Makes perfect sense!
Thanks Carrie Ann. I run loose with “working titles”. When it comes time to make a decision I consult. It takes a village.