Loved the story. I usually come up with the story first. But sometimes I come up with a title I like and write the story based on the title. I came up with the title for my first novel before I wrote it.
Thank you, Mark. Same - story first for me as well. Every now and then I’ll start the other way around, and it’s always been a pretty fun outcome. Was your first novel Britpop?
I did everything “wrong” by traditional publishing standards, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I wrote the story I wanted to write the way I wanted to write it. And I love it, quirks and all. 🤓
Nah, it’s not too long. I think it’s unique and fun. When I hear it I think Mark Starlin! There’s something to be said for self-publishing and all the freedoms it gives the author.
Maybe I should try your strategy! I usually think of the title first, since I was “trained” to do that for articles. Occasionally (that should be italicized) -I come up with the story first and then title it.
Likewise, Kim! Maybe I’ll start using your approach a bit more. I don’t think of a title first often, but I find that I always enjoy the outcome. That sounds like it makes a lot of sense for article writing. I’m trying to think back to my essay writing days in college, and for the life of me I can’t remember when in the process I figured out titles. (Thankfully those days are behind me.) 🤣
Such an interesting question, Justin. I have to say that my fiction is usually inspired by a photo or a painting. I see an image and begin to wonder - who? where? why? and the image tells me its story - whether flash fiction or novel. My titles usually arise from a pivotal phrase in the story. But the question of a good title is so crucial! Our readers have thousands of choices out there. If our title does not catch their attention, make them curious, they will go on to the next without even reading our first sentence. That is why your "Britpop" and your "Why do all the animals come here to die?" are so successful.I wonder if you agree?
I completely agree. A good title must pull the reader in even before he or she reads the first line. Like you said, it needs to capture their attention and pique their interest. Thanks for your response, Sharron!
Also, though I wish I could, I can’t take credit for “Baron Britpop Blastfurnace.” That’s all Mark Starlin. He has a Substack newsletter over at Mark Starlin Writes! I think you would like his work. He’s a great writer whose style and content you would appreciate.
I completely agree. A good title must pull the reader in even before he or she reads the first line. Like you said, it needs to capture their attention and pique their interest. Thanks for your response, Sharron!
Also, though I wish I could, I can’t take credit for “Baron Britpop Blastfurnace.” That’s all Mark Starlin. He has a Substack newsletter over at Mark Starlin Writes! I think you would like his work. He’s a great writer whose style and content you would appreciate.
Great story, Justin. I may have occasionally come up with a title first, but generally the story suggests the title, rather than the other way around.
Thanks, Dascha! Agreed. This is essentially my process as well.
Loved the story. I usually come up with the story first. But sometimes I come up with a title I like and write the story based on the title. I came up with the title for my first novel before I wrote it.
Thank you, Mark. Same - story first for me as well. Every now and then I’ll start the other way around, and it’s always been a pretty fun outcome. Was your first novel Britpop?
Yes. The full title is:
The Grand Story Of The Seemingly Impossible Adventures Of Baron Britpop Blastfurnace
So I put everything before Baron Britpop Blastfurnace in small print at the top. 🤓
What a great title!
Not too long? 🤣
I did everything “wrong” by traditional publishing standards, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I wrote the story I wanted to write the way I wanted to write it. And I love it, quirks and all. 🤓
Nah, it’s not too long. I think it’s unique and fun. When I hear it I think Mark Starlin! There’s something to be said for self-publishing and all the freedoms it gives the author.
Exactly. I planned to self-publish right from the beginning.
Great story. I often come up with a title first or early in the process. The longer I wait, the harder it is to find the right title.
Thanks so much, Geoffrey. I can see how that would be an effective approach! I always enjoy hearing how other writers operate. Thank you for sharing!
Maybe I should try your strategy! I usually think of the title first, since I was “trained” to do that for articles. Occasionally (that should be italicized) -I come up with the story first and then title it.
Likewise, Kim! Maybe I’ll start using your approach a bit more. I don’t think of a title first often, but I find that I always enjoy the outcome. That sounds like it makes a lot of sense for article writing. I’m trying to think back to my essay writing days in college, and for the life of me I can’t remember when in the process I figured out titles. (Thankfully those days are behind me.) 🤣
Thank you for sharing!
Such an interesting question, Justin. I have to say that my fiction is usually inspired by a photo or a painting. I see an image and begin to wonder - who? where? why? and the image tells me its story - whether flash fiction or novel. My titles usually arise from a pivotal phrase in the story. But the question of a good title is so crucial! Our readers have thousands of choices out there. If our title does not catch their attention, make them curious, they will go on to the next without even reading our first sentence. That is why your "Britpop" and your "Why do all the animals come here to die?" are so successful.I wonder if you agree?
I completely agree. A good title must pull the reader in even before he or she reads the first line. Like you said, it needs to capture their attention and pique their interest. Thanks for your response, Sharron!
Also, though I wish I could, I can’t take credit for “Baron Britpop Blastfurnace.” That’s all Mark Starlin. He has a Substack newsletter over at Mark Starlin Writes! I think you would like his work. He’s a great writer whose style and content you would appreciate.
Thanks! I will check it out.
I completely agree. A good title must pull the reader in even before he or she reads the first line. Like you said, it needs to capture their attention and pique their interest. Thanks for your response, Sharron!
Also, though I wish I could, I can’t take credit for “Baron Britpop Blastfurnace.” That’s all Mark Starlin. He has a Substack newsletter over at Mark Starlin Writes! I think you would like his work. He’s a great writer whose style and content you would appreciate.