Novel Writing

[shakespearebint]

So last Friday I had a meeting with a literary agent who is interested in taking me on as a client (yaaaay). However he wants me to do another draft of my novel before submitting it to publishers and has asked for a number of changes, including the name of the novel. In fact he wants me to come up wit 6 or 7 suggestions (groan

Comments

[brandywine421]

I am teh suck when it comes to naming things, I usually go to song lyrics for my titles. But with *real* writing, I think that's a no-no.

So I'll throw out just random ones, maybe they'll kickstart something.

Adrift
Off the Map
Control (could represent several things - 'out of control' or his struggle to get control over his life...i dunno...)
Johno (Can't you just name it after him?)

[shakespearebint]

Well actually several writers have used song titles for their novels - not that I can think of any right now:-) This bloody novel has had 2 names already - Counting Down ( a reference to his downward spiral and the fact that the last couple of paragraphs have him counting down to midnight on New Year's Eve) but the professional reader's report said this didn't tie in properly with the subject matter of the novel. The second name was 'No Homes To Go To' which is a reference to what all barmen here in Dublin shout at the customers when they're trying to clear the place at closing time ie 'Have ye no homes to go to?'.

Anyway I've been thinking that including his name in the title would be a good idea 'Jonno Sheehan Wants a Home', 'Jonno Sheehan Was Here', Jonno Sheehan's Beginner's Guide to Homelessness'. etc etc

Pickling a new title is just one of the many things I have to do to this bloody novel before the agent will send it off - wish me luck.

[brandywine421]

Yeah, but if you use a song title you'll have to get copyright stuff.

I like the "Jonno Sheehan's Beginner's Guide to Homelessness".

I am so totally keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[shakespearebint]

thanks for the input - I have to admit I'm soooo fucking excited about all this. Only 2 more weeks of work and I'm FREEEEEEEE. I've a ton of work to do on the manuscript but I'm holding off until I finish work - then it'll be 'what I do for a living' :-) hee hee

[fredsmith518]

Sounds promising. I'll have a serious think on a title.

[shakespearebint]

thanks - I'd appreciate it