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  • Brian Stansell replied to the topic Title Suggestions in the forum Fantasy Writers 4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Joshua! (@storysmith)

    Rose has some great ideas!

    Make sure that your title connects with your story in a meaningful way.
    Look through the story and listen for a turn of phrase or a particular part that you feel might encapsulate your story’s essence.  I think the upcoming seminar on Theme might give you some good ideas.  If you can, connect your story title to your theme.
    My own work in progress has both a title and a subtitle since it will be a set of books (trilogy or tetralogy), with each book having a different but similar subtitle, which links it to the whole of the series.

    That may be something you’ll want to consider if you are planning on sequels.
    Famous and obvious examples are:
    The Chronicles of Narnia, which are often referred to as the “Narnia series” collectively, but each book has its own title.
    The Lord of The Rings with The Fellowship of The Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King serving under the main LOTR banner.
    Brandon Sanderson does this too with the Mistborn series.
    Terry Brooks does this with his Shannara books, etc.

    Is there one overarching title or word that connects your books?  Think of how readers might refer to your series in shorthand since so many things are abbreviated these days.

    My books will be under the main word: Excavatia
    (I know it sounds a bit like “Excaliber”, but with a subtle difference as being derived from the idea of “Excavation” or to dig up or uncover something.)  The word is evocative and that is what you want.  Something that intrigues and promises mysteries revealed and discoveries to be made.  My first book’s subtitle is “From Dust Arise” which plays into the idea of being given life or even of resurrection.  Adam was formed out of the dust, and we are called to new life spiritually as well.  My second book will be “A Swirl of Embers” which is the idea of passing through the fire (adversity) but still rising upward, which may be evocative of overcoming.  The third will be “Walls of Stone” which seems like an impediment that is so formidable it cannot be overcome, like a prison, however, there is this idea that it is an impediment that must be surmounted and scaled upward to get beyond it, so the three subtitles have the movement that requires rising upward.  A progression, if you will.
    So think of your story or stories as a progression.  How do the titles work to convey or hint at the story arc?  In my tale, Excavatia is a “Hidden or Buried Kingdom” that must be uncovered/discovered/realized through the outworking of a prophecy and restoration of three virtue stones to a golden crown that has been stolen and is under the possession of a great beast sleeping in the high recesses of a massive stone mountain range, the greatest impediment of the journey of my characters.  Occupants of the land are terrified that anyone pursuing the prophecy will awaken the monster and bring doom down upon the entire land.  Kingdoms have misused the power of the related “builder stones” and do not really understand the nature or purpose of the three virtue stones, but have hidden them away, lest some outworlders attempt to pursue the prophecy of the Hidden Kingdom and call forth the ancient king who is the rightful owner of the purloined diadem.

    Everything in my tale connects to the main idea of discovery, but more importantly to the idea of revealing that hidden kingdom that will transform the land and set it to right.

    Find these kinds of connections to your story and its heart and purpose and you will find the title that speaks to you even before opening the book.

    I hope that helps.
    God Bless!

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