I have done nothing today (apart from look after three small children).
Jane came round this morning (with various additional small children), and we talked about writing (as far as that was possible), which was lovely (in a lovely-things-you-can-do-with-kids-around sort of way). She's been thinking about my novel and, bless her, has been trying to help me think of a title.
I cannot think of a title.
I go to sleep thinking about it hoping that I'll wake up in the morning with the answer. I dread discovering that I did, actually wake up with it once, but forgot to write it down, and then forgot that I even had it (this is a possibility).
It's not that I don't know what the book is about - I reckon it has a strong and obvious premise - but all the obvious titles are just that. Obvious. Too obvious. Clichés. Tired old hackneyed idioms. I need something different.
So, I've done a lot of thinking today, but I haven't actually done anything...
...except my Message (21:24).
Monday, November 12, 2007
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5 comments:
I'm a great believer in thinking. The more you think about this, the more stuff you put into your subconscious, which is where the appearing-out-of-nowhere title will come from. But, think, don't worry. Worry stops it coming out!
JJx
Hi Leigh,
I saw your comment on another blog and thought I'd drop by to say hallo. Having visited your blog, I find we have a lot more in common than just our name.
JJ is right, a title will grab you one day, although it does become annoyingly compulsive, doesn't it? I wandered around muttering in a demented manner for days when I was trying to think up my first title. Finally I tore myself away from the addiction... and said a title, just like that, and there it was. It's a bit like trying to remember a name, or do a crossword clue. Stop thinking about it (if you can) and it'll come to you.
Please visit my blog where comments from fellow writers are always welcome.
Leigh
Another good message! Do you think you'll ever do anything with them in the future? I'm storing mine all up in one huge document, but I'll probably look at it in a few months time and think, 'what on earth was I on about?' !!
Titles are a bummer. I wrote down a huge list of really feeble ones and then suddenly thought of a couple of crackers. A quick google revealed they are already very famous bestsellers that stupid me had forgotten about:-(
And looking after THREE children is hardly nothing. I'm in awe that you write at all!
x
JJ - you're quite right, of course. I'm the first one to tell others not to worry! I must try it for myself.
Hello, Leigh. I see from your blog that you're good at titles!
Helen, nooo. I have kept them all, but I don't think I'll do anything with them. I think I'll just get them out and stroke them from time to time.
Ah, Lane. You see, I haven't quite reached the point where I can actually write any possibilities down. And when I've had something published, then I'll accept your awe. Until then, I'm only writing drivel, and that doesn't really count.
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