ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔰𝔬 𝔪𝔢𝔱𝔞𝔩

ATEEZ - Jongho & San

“Hey princess.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not? You are a princess.”

“Of what, exactly? My whole kingdom and my people are gone. I don’t have anything to rule over, not anymore.”

i don't feel like talking so i write.

The Ultimate (short) Guide to Crafting Captivating Book Titles: A Writer’s Journey into Naming Novels

Embracing the Power of a Book Title

Greetings, fellow writers and wordsmiths! As we embark on the magical journey of storytelling, there exists a crucial milestone—bestowing our creations with a name, a title that encapsulates the essence of our narrative. The quest for the perfect title can be as thrilling as drafting the story itself. In this guide, we will unravel the art and significance of titling a novel, exploring strategies, tips, and the creative process behind crafting an engaging and magnetic book title.

Understanding the Importance of a Book Title

The Gateway to Reader Connection

A book title is the beacon that beckons readers to explore the universe you’ve crafted. It’s the first impression, a snapshot that encapsulates the soul of your narrative. A compelling title can captivate an audience, generating curiosity and inviting them to step into the world you’ve woven within your pages.

Reflecting the Essence of Your Story

A well-crafted title encapsulates the core theme, mood, or central conflict of your novel. It should resonate with the narrative, teasing elements without revealing too much, leaving a trail of intrigue that entices readers to delve deeper.

The Art of Title Creation

Embrace the Journey: Start with a Working Title

Begin with a placeholder, a working title that captures the essence of your story in its rawest form. Let it evolve and grow as your narrative does. This title might serve as a guiding light until you uncover the perfect one.

Exploring the Heart of Your Story

Consider the central themes, characters, or pivotal moments within your book. Delve into the emotional core of your narrative and unearth words or phrases that resonate with its essence.

Utilizing Literary Devices and Techniques

Explore metaphors, alliteration, symbolism, or even poetic verses. Experiment with wordplay, juxtapositions, and contrasts. These literary devices can infuse depth and intrigue into your title.

Testing and Refining Your Title

The Power of Feedback

Share your title ideas with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers. Gather feedback on their impressions and the emotions evoked by the titles. Use this input to refine and narrow down your choices.

Alignment with Your Target Audience

Consider your intended readership. Does your title resonate with the genre and expectations of your audience? Ensure it’s not only enticing but also aligns with the preferences of your potential readers.

Finalizing the Perfect Title

Distillation of Essence: Keep it Succinct and Evocative

Aim for brevity and impact. A concise yet evocative title can linger in the minds of readers. Often, the most powerful titles are those that say much with few words.

Research and Avoiding Clichés

Investigate existing titles in your genre to ensure your title stands out. Steer clear of clichés and overused phrases, aiming for originality and uniqueness.

Embrace the Artistry of Title Crafting

Crafting the ideal book title is an art in itself. It’s the literary cloak that shrouds your creation, inviting readers into the tapestry of your imagination. Embrace the journey of titling your novel with the same passion and creativity you pour into your storytelling. Let the title be a herald, whispering the promise of a remarkable journey that awaits within the pages of your book.

As you venture forth, remember, the perfect title awaits—a key to unlock the hearts and minds of your future readers.

Happy writing and titling!

This comprehensive guide aims to take writers through the journey of creating an impactful and engaging book title, emphasizing the importance of a title and offering practical strategies to craft one that truly resonates with a novel’s essence. If you need further insights, examples, or specific advice on any aspect of titling a novel, feel free to delve deeper into each section. Happy titling!

Instagram credit: acalmwalk

Do you have any prompts for a bubbly princess x her serious, quiet personal guard? Dialogue or scenarios. If not, that's fine!

Of course I do. Here they are:

Princess x Guard Prompts

Dialogue

“Come on, live a little!” “I won’t be living for long if the king finds out about what we’re doing here.”

“Urgh. These balls keep getting lamer. Please save me.” “Not sure if lame balls are something I need to protect you from.”

“You’re no fun.” “I’m here for your protection, not your entertainment.” “But couldn’t you at least try to do both?”

“I have a great idea!” “Why do I feel like I’m about to lose my job?”

“Sometimes I would love to just run away.” “I wouldn’t stop you. I’m your personal guard. I’m here to protect you, not imprison you. That’s at least how I see my job description.”

“Why do you never smile?” “I do smile.” “No, you don’t.” “I do.” “Prove it!”

“You’re the princess, you can do whatever you want.” “You know full well that that is not the truth.”

“I like knowing you always only have eyes for me.” “I would be a terrible guard if I wouldn’t keep my eyes on you at any time.”

Scenarios

The guard was a very serious man and understood where his place was, but when the normally happy princess seems to have lost her spark, he does everything in his power to cheer her up.

No one was able to deny the princess anything. She had them all wrapped around her finger. What they didn’t know was that one look from the stoic guard was enough to make her do anything he wanted.

It was a common occurrence to see the usually serious bodyguard taking part in the bubbly princess’s shenanigans.

More: Bodyguard AUs | Royalty Masterpost

- Jana

Art by Gustaf Tenggren

Falling Stars Observed from the Balloon, illustration by Albert Tissandier for the second edition of James Glaisher's Travels in the Air, 1871

May Prompts 🌺

Word prompts to use for doodling or writing

strawberries

adventure

golden hour

lake house

picnic

mayflower

nostalgia

homecoming

juice box

farmer’s market

morning light

birdsong

drive-in theater

island

photographs

riptide

coffee-to-go

tree house

instrument

cerulean

porch

animal shelter

lemonade

potted plant

spirit

milkshake

orchids

field

petrichor

sketching

memory lane

snoopy reads a timeless classic!!