Looking For A Title

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   Jacqueline4390posted 8 years ago

   I am working on yet another novel and I am looking for a title. Here is the opening exerts ... anybody got any ideas?
   
   She sat alone in her office contemplating her former life now that she was approaching 55 years. She wondered pensively if she had truly missed out on some glorious moments but knew deep in her heart that she had lived her life to the best that she knew how and that nothing could change it.  Her existence wasn't necessarily a great one—but it wasn't terribly bad either. It was more in the need improvement stage.
   
   Gwendolyn thought about her marriage to Roger and wondered whether she should have continued that unproductive relationship. Yes, it had brought about two wonderful children—Roger II and Sabrina, a beautifully spacious home complete with the usual caveats but that was all. Roger had always been busy building his empire and only returned home in order to change clothes then he was off again.
   
   After years of playing housewife to an empty home; she decided to call it a day. The children were adults and living their separate lives happily in spite of a distant dad and it really wasn’t any need to continue the charade. So one day in early June, Gwendolyn packed a small case, patted the dogs, gave her housekeeper Mildred her best smile and quietly closed the door behind her.  That was ten years ago.

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      lions44posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Since Neil Simon already has "Chapter Two," how about "Once Again."  Or Beginnings?

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         That's really cool ... Once Again! I'll play around with the idea and see what happens! Really appreciate your input :-)

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How about "Walking Away..."?  Sounds like a great book, best of luck to you.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Reminds me of the song "Just Walk Away, Renee" :-) but I like that comment. Alas, so many wonderful choices!

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      Richard-Bivinsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Since it was "10 years ago,"  I would suggest the title Finding Gwendolyn... or Gwendolyn Found.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Hey ... I had thought about the title: Gwendolyn. Adding the "found" is really good. Because after years of living for her children and being the "idea" homemaker she is embarking on a journey of the emotional kind. Thanks!

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         schoolgirlforrealposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I like that one

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      In creative writing class, I was told usually the last thing authors do is choose the title, so I wouldn't worry about it now.  Even if you came up with one, you'd most likely change it several times as you write the book.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Now that is a thought ... I have been know to change titles a few times but only when I change the direction of my protagonist. Thanks for the swell insight :-)

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      savvydatingposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How about....."How I Met My Future." I would also recommend featuring a somewhat more mature woman on the cover, say, in her 40's---even with cartoon appeal. Also, I would like to add that I believe your novel will be of high interest to most women in their 40's and 50's. My only other "note" is to add a few commas in your introduction. Best of luck to you. I think you've written something highly appealing!!

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks bunches for the encouragement. It's rare that I am stuck for a title but I just started typing and couldn't decide what I wanted to call it :-)

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Leaving "Roger" Behind, (you can change "Roger" to something else)..

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         You are making me think about "Say Goodbye to Yesterday"
         
         You guys are the GREATEST!

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      Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think I could come up with a better title than some of the ones already listed here, but I sure enjoyed reading your snippet. Best of luck on your novel!

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         Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, bunches! I am still debating which one I like best!

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   8. 87

      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't written anything else because I can't make up my mind on the title. This is driving me bonkers!  I don't know if I want to do a flashback explaining her past in more detail - move forward introducing a more appealing situation - drag her kids into the scenario or what. Of course I will probably do all of the above but I have decided in what order in my "mental outline."
      
      This is why to me -- a title is so very important. It's like your name. If you've ever study Numerology; your name has letters that correspond to numbers. This relationship between your name and the numbers has meanings. This meaning ... according to the numerologist ... "paints" our destiny. Whether this is true or not, my novel title does the same for me.

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   Romeos Quillposted 8 years ago

   Perhaps, " Forever Then... " ?
   I hope your novel brings happiness for you;
   Best Wishes,
   R.Q.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds interesting ... my writing gives me great pleasure ... thanks so much for your input!

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   PurvisBobbi44posted 8 years ago

   What about--Somewhere a True Love Waits.
   
   Bobbi Purvis

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ahhhh ... you do have an "eye" for romance! That's really nice!

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   DJ Andersonposted 8 years ago

   Hi, Jacqueline,  A title can give a clue to what the book is about.  So little is given in the exert to come up with a catchy title.  Is the best yet to come?  Did she give it all up
   for no good reason? 
   You do give a hint when you said 'her life was in need of improvement'.  Many time when we want to get the most out of a lecture or sermon, we sit right up front.  Does Gwen want to make some improvements?  Maybe, "Sitting On The Front Row", would be fitting as a title. 
   Is Gwen looking for love?  Will she find the man of her dreams close by? 
   "Across The Street and Down Two Blocks", would give the sense of moving on, and give the location of her new love.
   Hope this is helpful.  Good luck!
   DJ.

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   1. 87

      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes ... you have helped me tremendously. I use my title as a spring board for my thoughts. All those questions you asked are extremely pertinent. I have many times focused on my title and somewhere in my book there is a reference to it as in my book: Wait Until Autumn when the character states that "the autumn of life can be the very best time."
      
      He equates the seasons to the many different facets of life ...spring, signifying youth; summer, middling age where a lot of serious activity happens; the fall is when things start to settle and all eyes are focused toward the inevitable winter of our lives.

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5. 85

   firstcookbookladyposted 8 years ago

   Paradise - Just another Day...

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Paradise, Just Another Day; now I could use that for another novel I'm working on. I try never to do just one at a time. I like to write...rewrite...write...rewrite...

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         Joy56posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         What about.  "On Reflection"

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            Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Hmm, sounds interesting! Thanks

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   firstcookbookladyposted 8 years ago

   The Wind Blows to the Right

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The Wind Blows to the Right .... WOW, that sounds like one of those juicy romantic novels :-)

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   calculus-geometryposted 8 years ago

   You might get some inspiration from the random title generator http://www.kitt.net/php/title.php

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good link ... I'll have to take a peek!

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   lisavanvorstposted 8 years ago

   How about "What's Next?".

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmm ... What Next? Now that's a good title as well. With so many wonderful suggestions; how am I to choose but I like it ... I like it :-)

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   MonkeyShine75posted 8 years ago

   I would have to know the plot, and outcome/ending to be able to think of a title for it

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      Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, I haven't decided what my plot is nor the outcome. I usually always have a title for my novels then I have an idea of what I want to do. It's like a catalyst for me to work on my outline (mentally) of where I want to go with the story.
      
      Say I have a title "September's Love Song." Then I know I want to write about a romance that started in September. I can also use September as an age - the couple is older now. It could also be an aging musician who has lost the love of his life but finds a renewal in a woman who, like himself, has been through a tragedy.
      
      To me, the title is very important.

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         MonkeyShine75posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I can’t come up with a title, but here are some key words that came to mind. She’s 55 so she is in her Twilight years, and is probably looking to replace the man she walked out on, or wondering why she left in the first place
         *Twilight Years
         *Eventide
         *Close Of Day
         *Evenfall
         *The End Of Day
         *Endearment
         *The Years Gone By
         *Delight
         *Adulation

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         1. 87

            Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks, those are great!

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    ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

    "I leave the house to Mildred "......LOL

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    1. 87

       Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Ha, Mildred will probably track Gwendolyn down and remain in her employ. She only worked for Roger because of his considerate wife. Not that Roger is an evil or cruel man ... he is just obsessed with money and power.

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    Cardisaposted 8 years ago

    I wouldn't worry about the title until I'm almost done. The title will depend on where the story leads and definitely where it ends.

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       Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I would definitely say this is true with most authors - alas, I am not your typical writer :-)
       Thanks so much for your insight!

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          MonkeyShine75posted 8 years agoin reply to this

          Oh by the way, I enjoyed reading your story. It is written well, and the story is interesting, and holds your attention

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             Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

             :-)

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       MonkeyShine75posted 8 years agoin reply to this

       She explained this after I wanted to know the plot
       http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/128556? … ost2705959

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    Flora Crewposted 8 years ago

    How about "An empty house is not enuff?" or "Downsizing on the hometurf."  Sounds like a good story.

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       Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks ... those are two very interesting titles. I will be making a choice very soon :-)

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    Arnab Chatterjeeposted 8 years ago

    The Title can be : " Mirror Mirror  how I look " OR  " A second life ". Wish I could help in  any way.

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       Jacqueline4390posted 8 years agoin reply to this

       A Second Life ... maybe The Second Time Around ... has potential!

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