How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?Visit Brian Freeman's official website and follow him on Facebook.
In the early days, my working titles often changed by the time the books made it into print. Rachel's Body became Immoral. Vegas Baby became Stripped. In fact, I think I was on my fifth novel, The Burying Place, before a title stuck all the way through the publishing process. So I learned not to become too emotionally attached to them.
Honestly, working titles are probably more important for me than the reader. A title grounds me in the story. Some writers can stick “Untitled” or “Title to Follow” at the top of their manuscript and get going. Not me. I need to have a title to bring the project to life.
On the other hand, by the time a book appears in print, I’m really not sure the title does much to engage the reader with the story itself. It’s really just a tease – something interesting, dramatic, and mysterious to get the reader to pick up the book. It may or may not have anything to do with the plot.
But just to prove there’s always an exception to the rule, Funeral for a Friend is actually a very meaningful title for my new novel. As...[read on]
The Page 69 Test: Stripped.
My Book, The Movie: Stripped.
The Page 69 Test: Stalked.
My Book, The Movie: Spilled Blood.
The Page 69 Test: The Cold Nowhere.
My Book, The Movie: Season of Fear.
Writers Read: Brian Freeman (January 2018).
My Book, The Movie: The Crooked Street.
Q&A with Brian Freeman.
--Marshal Zeringue
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