I’m all off-kilter this week, but if I’m not mistaken today is Thursday, so welcome.
I’ve been so busy with my first re-write of my novel “The Long Walk Home” that I’ve kind of ignored my blogging this week. I’m pretty sure you have carried on nicely without my blogs, but just in case I will apologize.
Let’s see…why don’t we start with the Quote of the Day and then I’ll toss a few things at you.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.”
Anita Roddick
Isn’t that a great quote? I’ve been laughing all day at that one…but it is true.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
And today’s thought has to do with titles. Talk about having an impact! I’ve written often about the 10 Second Rule, the fact that you have about ten seconds to interest your readers enough so that they will continue reading your article, story or book…..well, you won’t even see the 10 Second Rule in play unless you have a title that can knock the socks off of your audience.
Now we are tiptoeing onto some thin ice. When we are talking about the world of SEO, then we have to be very careful that we get keywords into that title….but….that does not mean the title has to be bland. Even one word can make a difference. You could have a title that looks like this…..Ten Ways To Make Money Online….which of course has been done to death…or you could change that title to read….Ten Innovative Ways To Make Money Online. The first option is bland at best; the second option at least has a chance of interesting those who are into “new” and “innovative.”
When it comes to stories or books, the title is crucial. Unlike an article where the topic is in the title, for a story or novel we have to give the reader a glimpse of the story line in a few words. This is not an easy thing to do.
TIP OF THE DAY
Enlist the help of family and friends when titling your next book. Brainstorm a whole list of titles and find a consensus for the best title.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Say hello to Liz. Her title at HubPages is epbooks, and she is a lover of animals and a friend. Stop by and see her here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
See if you can’t kickstart your creativity with this picture.
OFFER OF THE DAY
Feel free to do a guest blog on this site. Get in touch with me at holland1145@yahoo.com and we’ll chat about it.
MORE NEXT WEEK
Hopefully I’ll be a little more responsible next week with this blogging thing, but I make no promises. My novel is my first priority until it is finished and ready for publication, so bear with me until it is finished.
Thank you and have a great rest of the week.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I could NOT agree more, Bill-bro! Been saying the same thing for years – NO TITLE – NO READERS!
You may not be able to judge a book by it’s cover – but that doesn’t mean you won’t judge the cover itself! Judged poorly – the book doesn’t get read at all!
I thought of offering a service – helping folks with their titles, but never acted on it..
HUGSXX
Sis, when will they ever learn, eh? You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make that s.o.b. drink. LOL Have a great day my dear.
You are so right about titles! But they give me fits–it is the very last thing that happens for me in my writing and the thing I change my mind about most often–
Audrey, I’m glad I’m not the only one who changes titles several times. 🙂 Whew! Thanks for that..I feel relieved somehow. 🙂
Hi Bill! I was wondering where you were…even double checked my email bc I hadn’t seen you* in a while:)
I didn’t blog Monday because the kids were home from school due to another ice storm here! Life just gets in the way sometimes I guess – or novels!
It does, Kelly, and we can either fight it or go with the flow. Thanks for checking on me…I’ll try to be a bit more responsible next week. LOL
Hope your rewrites are going well and glad to hear you are busy with your book this past week. Wishing you a wonderful, Thursday now Bill 🙂
Thank you Janine. The re-writes are flowing and I am making good progress. Thank you!
I agree titles sure tend to entice a reader thus, gotta work on them TOO 🙂
Wishing you luck with editing your draft, Bill
I loved the quote too…such a tiny animal versus a big animal together…and the impact it can give 🙂 Inspired indeed!
Thanks Ruchira. The re-write is coming along nicely; the book will be much longer than I thought. LOL
Titles are very, very important. It is the first thing seen other than a cover or picture. Thanks for the reminder. Have a great day Bill.
Thanks Greg. I hope you had a great day as well.
Bill, that quote had me laughing my ass off! It’s so true, though isn’t it?
I found a great site that allows you to plug in your title(s) and it’ll rate the appeal regarding emotions, intellect and spirituality. I use it all the time now. Here’s the link (its’ free and you can put in as many titles as you like): http://www.aminstitute.com/headline/
Very cool, Sha! Thanks! I’ll use it.
You’re welcome, Bill. I’m sorry. I thought I’d sent it to you a while back in an email.
Maybe you did and I misplaced it; well, I’ve got it now. 🙂
I’m so glad to read that you have your priorities in order, Bill. Novel first; blog second. 🙂
Marlene, thanks! It has to be that way. I’m not as young as I once was and I’m not feeling indestructible anymore. LOL
Hi Bill,
I agree that your title is the most important first impression (along with the cover) that a reader will have concerning your book. The 10 second rule that you talk about has gone down to 8 seconds as it relates to online material. So it is even more important to have a great title, a great cover, and a great opening hook!
Nothing like pressure huh, Donna? LOL Thanks for stopping by…a writer needs a stopwatch when writing.
No pressure. We writers just have our work cut out for us.
Happy weekend Bill! I hope the rewrite and edits to your novel are going swiftly… sounds like it 🙂 Great advice about the title – I’ll keep that in mind once I’m finished this book. Leaving the title till the end. And love the quote about the mosquito, thanks for making me laugh at the end of a very long week!