How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?Visit Garrett Curbow's website.
I underwent a handful of title changes before reaching Whispers of Ink and Starlight. Because the story spans different themes and hopscotches across genres, I found it difficult to settle on a collection of words that summed up the entire book. How do I convey the magical realism? The romance? The mystery?
I arrived at my title during copyedits. As I was combing through the manuscript with the imagery of whispers and ink and starlight in mind, I knew it was perfect. Historically, I’m not a huge fan of formulaic titles, like Noun of Noun and Noun, but Whispers of Ink and Starlight evoked the exact feeling I had been searching for.
“Whispers” captures the intrigue of Nelle’s magical origin, the softspoken moments between her and James, and the overall quiet nature of the novel. This is a story about people facing human problems, not fantasy kingdoms going to war.
“Ink” is a major plot propellent from beginning to end. It is both the external conflict and the basis of the entire magic system. Having “Ink” in the title felt mandatory.
“Starlight” is pretty, it is romantic, it is hopeful. Throughout the novel, there are countless references to stars and making wishes. Whispers of Ink and Starlight is a novel about dreamers, and every title iteration has focused on that starry-eyed hopefulness.
Whispers of Ink and Starlight is a title that...[read on]
Q&A with Garrett Curbow.
--Marshal Zeringue
Posts
