tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post8827668257262857265..comments2024-03-18T23:49:07.106+00:00Comments on Nick Wilford, Speculative Author: What's in a Name?Nick Wilfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-60510725778509803022012-04-24T16:01:40.753+01:002012-04-24T16:01:40.753+01:00"Many writers say that the title suggests its..."Many writers say that the title suggests itself naturally either during writing or when you look back at it as a whole, but I've never had either experience." <br /><br />I have never had that experience either! I feel like every other writer out there has the secret to creating great titles, while I sit here wondering what is wrong with me lol! <br /><br />Thanks for directing me to this post, it's good to know I'm not alone!Kyra Lennonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13853462182450429660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-50838342567153144712011-11-02T00:28:23.433+00:002011-11-02T00:28:23.433+00:00Oops! Nope, had no idea! I recognise you now. Need...Oops! Nope, had no idea! I recognise you now. Need to stay in touch better. Didn't know you had any blogs. I'm now following your one on trains. Take care!Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-17961743660827527022011-11-01T15:59:41.962+00:002011-11-01T15:59:41.962+00:00Just looked up Philip K. Dick and he wrote loads o...Just looked up Philip K. Dick and he wrote loads of books that have been turned into films.<br /><br />I forgot that blogger doesn't show up my real name, and you might not recognise me from the photo - JohnZabdielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698259353463224997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-30196064461210552762011-10-28T18:40:11.866+01:002011-10-28T18:40:11.866+01:00Oh, and thanks for stopping by, Zabdiel! I'll ...Oh, and thanks for stopping by, Zabdiel! I'll check out those other books you mentioned now.Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-40164755938468206492011-10-28T18:21:41.563+01:002011-10-28T18:21:41.563+01:00Yep, it's by Philip K. Dick off the top of my ...Yep, it's by Philip K. Dick off the top of my head. Read some books of his a long time ago but not this one. Classic sci-fi!Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-80755341260022548742011-10-28T18:01:56.295+01:002011-10-28T18:01:56.295+01:00A Scanner Darkly is a fantastic animated film with...A Scanner Darkly is a fantastic animated film with Keanu Reeves (who is far more animated than the real Keanu Reeves!) I wasn't aware it was a book too! Good stuff!!Stu Ayrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001940316941634308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-37287680166206680472011-10-28T17:51:39.621+01:002011-10-28T17:51:39.621+01:00I can't help you with coming up with titles (I...I can't help you with coming up with titles (I suspect I'd be terriable at it) but I thought I'd say hi and mention some titles I like: "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "A Scanner Darkly". I've not read any of them, but want to read them because of the titles.Zabdielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698259353463224997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-34733612296936813162011-10-27T21:23:18.365+01:002011-10-27T21:23:18.365+01:00Hi guys, thanks for commenting!
Stu - That's ...Hi guys, thanks for commenting!<br /><br />Stu - That's an interesting theory. It's very true that things either seem right or they don't.<br /><br />I thought with your title, with the Beatles connection, could it have been inspired by Strawberry Fields Forever? Maybe subconsciously. It's got the same sort of rhythm. It's a good title.<br />BTW, I don't know if the missus would approve if I drank every time I wrote!<br /><br />Melissa - Yes, I think the way forward would be to use a line from the book that somehow sums up the whole thing. Might be hard to find. I'll bear it in mind when I read through the first draft of this book! Thanks for the tip on Book Blogs - I've heard of it but not checked it out yet.<br /><br />Freya - I want to hear your title now! I take it the non-English word is not one that has passed into common usage here? It might give it a unique hook and make people want to find out more. If it sounds good, why not!Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-73512158753056029222011-10-27T20:23:50.427+01:002011-10-27T20:23:50.427+01:00Hi Nick,
Well, in marketing circles they advise o...Hi Nick,<br /><br />Well, in marketing circles they advise on spending 80% of your time on the title and 20% on the rest (the story). That's in article world. I guess the point they are making is like you are saying - the title is soooo important because it's what will decide on whether someone reads your book or not. <br /><br />My book title also came from my book - although I am thinking of revising it because I feel it doesn't give enough information. One of the words is not English - and I don't think this is a good idea to use in a title. Although it sounds good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-30350404586209299602011-10-27T15:09:15.559+01:002011-10-27T15:09:15.559+01:00Hi Nick, raising my head above the wealth of confu...Hi Nick, raising my head above the wealth of confusion in this world. I have the same trouble as you I am afraid, I naively assumed that if a title comes, the words will follow! However I have come to the realisation that most titles appear to come from a phrase or passage in the book. Been finding my way around Book Blogs this week, very good for help and advice and tres friendly. Check it out if you fancy<br /><br />http://melsinclair.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Good luck with the title.<br />MelMelissa Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07006452600617824914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-16131391180938063582011-10-26T19:11:54.090+01:002011-10-26T19:11:54.090+01:00Hi Nick! Titles - tricky buggers!
I read once, no...Hi Nick! Titles - tricky buggers!<br /><br />I read once, not sure where that when we write, we are just remembering words that have already been written. After a few drinks, it makes sense and I am kinding of leaning towards that view. You know when you write something and something about what you have written just doesn't sit right? Is that because it has been imperfectly remembered? Hmmm - perhaps.<br /><br />The same with titles. When I wrote the Tollesbury Time Forever, the title just came out of nowhere but once I had it, everything else just came together - almost as if I was remembering correctly. I guess it's about not forcing it and being aware you, the author, should feel entirely comfortable with both what you have written and the naming of it. So I guess what I am saying is have a drink mate, leave your fingernails alone and just let the title drift into view like a big old boat of dreams!Stu Ayrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001940316941634308noreply@blogger.com