Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Title name

This is topic Title name in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/writers/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000259

Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :

I'm a little hesitant to post this message, because it feels like I'm relying too heavily on fellow, ah, hatrackians(?), but I'm going to anyway, because my mind is a big, large blank space when it comes to this.

My first novel (because this is the first _novel_ I've ever written, as opposed to just "stories" that were supposed to be novels but never went anywhere) is about a fantasy world with seven kingdoms on a continent called Octavia (soon to be renamed). A kingdom on this continent, called Shanok, is being conquered by another, Tok. To save the kingdom, the king sends his daughter deep into a mystical, magical, and very dangerous forest to find a group of people called the Golden Warriors, mythical characters whom the king believe can save the kingdom. Along the way, the princess meets solitary people who for one reason or another join her in her quest, and together, they do what they must to find the Warriors. They do, but it's not what they think. The Golden Warriors is nothing but gold armor that those who found it must wear, should they be deemed worthy? Donning this armor, the group of adventurers _become_ the Golden Warrios, even though they're not really golden (I don't think. I'm not sure yet, it's still pretty early in the story).

My problem is this (and after all that typing, it seems like a pretty small problem at that): what should I name the story? Okay, yeah, you may have been expecting some humongous obstacle, and while I have a few of those, the title has been nagging at me since day one. I have either The Kingdom of Shanok: The Golden Warriors, or The Golden Warriors of Shanok. I have a few others, but they've slipped my mind, a sure sign that they were too lame to bother remembering.

Any ideas? Anyone?

Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

Ever doubtful, forgetful, and all around absent-minded,

Chris

[This message has been edited by cvgurau (edited February 08, 2002).]

Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :

Choose whatever name feels right to you. Most titles are considered working titles anyway----and chances are that a publisher will adjust said title to fit there needs anyway.

Shawn

Posted by EWilliams (Member # 1348) on :

Totally lame but... The Golden Quest? I dunno...

Personally, I try to hold off giving something a title until the last possible moment (usually when I'm done with the story). If I give it a title, it can be a little constricting. What if the story turns into something other than what I had envisioned in the beginning?

Not that I'm the best source of advice on this sort of thing, but that's just my two cents.

Posted by chad_parish (Member # 1155) on :

If it had happened in history, the golden warrios would have been the "Legio Aurum" or something (from Latin). Maybe invent your continent's archaic language and use it?

Posted by ANGEL 01 (Member # 1351) on :

how about "The Quest For Golden Saviors", or maybe "The Myth of The Golden Armor/Warriors"or "The golden evangelion" Ok... I just really like the Anime: Evangelion... but that means 2 things really... The act of salvation... or the act of preaching holy christ... just my thoughts.

Posted by cesare borgia (Member # 1363) on :

perhaps you should wait until you're further along in the story, if it's only in the early stages. just keep in mind that you're looking for a title as you write it, and if any significant events pop up that also sound cool and might make a good name, write them down. getting the story written is much more urgent of a need than having a good title, which you won't need for a long time.

i'm not discouraging having a title as you write though. titles can be a sort of compass to guide your work, and help define your vision along the way. if you look at it that way, as a sort of defining line or focal point, than a suitable title will probably pop up on it's own.

hope that helps,
-cesare

Posted by epiquette (Member # 1272) on :

I think I prefer simply: "The Golden Warriors"

Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :

hmmm---sometimes all I have is a title, the idea grows from there.

Golden Warriors----

Shawn

Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :

I kind of like the Golden Warrior title. It's simple. It's plain. It sounds nice. However, it also sounds a little childish, and this is not meant to be a childish novel. Still, childish or not, Golden Warriors appeals to me.

Speaking of a coming up with a title, and building a story from that, I once came up with the title The Weakest Link, or The Weak Link (I was undecided), and this was long before Anne Robertson and her show, and from that sprang a pretty good story about werewolf gangs and a murder mystery, revenge, love, all the good stuff. I never finished it (surprise!) but I look back at that story with fond memories.

Chris (and here's the smile just 'cuz I like it)

P.S. to Angel, "Myth of..." sounds kind of good too. I think I'll use it.

[This message has been edited by cvgurau (edited February 11, 2002).]