UPDATE 2 Wouldn't you know it, Bill Peschel's suggested subtitle, "How to Craft a Novel that Sells," is already in use by a romance writer. So today's poll offers a variation suggested by Sarah Jensen. PLEASE give me your feedback and thoughts. It will be greatly appreciated. I'll post the chosen title and a link to the updated website Wednesday, and will resume flogging at that time.
Thanks,
Ray
© 2009 Ray Rhamey
I think any title with 'How To' in it will always get attention. The same goes for lists, as in 'The Top Ten ways do something'.
Posted by: Millar Prescott | January 11, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Hi Ray,
Like your first title....FLOGGING THE QUILL; An Editor Coaches You to a Stronger Novel
Posted by: Holly | January 11, 2009 at 02:46 PM
I just didn't like the wording choice of "An Editor Coaches You to". Something felt off about it. Also the other option sounds more like something I'd see on a bookshelf at a store, so I like it better.
Jodi
Posted by: Jodi | January 11, 2009 at 07:59 PM
So you're dumping the "jump start" idea completely? That's too bad. The other subtitles are not very compelling.
Posted by: Deana | January 11, 2009 at 08:30 PM
The thing that's unclear to me about this title is who is doing the flogging and what the flogging actually means. In reading this blog, I've always felt that YOU are flogging the quill-- i.e., whipping writers into shape with tough love for our first pages. I wouldn't want to feel like *I* was flogging the quill as I wrote, nor would I want to learn how to flog it. :) I voted for the editor one because it made the most sense to me, but I think ultimately I like "Flogging the Quill" better as a funny blog title than as a book...
Posted by: Maya | January 11, 2009 at 11:58 PM
FLOGGING THE QUILL: How to Craft a Novel that Sells - I like this one a lot. It does exactly what it says, and if you're a writer who doesn't know what the title means, you've go work to do that no editor is going to be able to help you with :D
Posted by: crimsonsilk | January 12, 2009 at 02:30 AM
Hi, Maya
Actually, this blog was titled Flogging the Quill for over two years before I started "flogging" writing. It was, and is, all about the dogged pursuit (flogging) of compelling writing, whoever is doing it. To me, when we spend hours at a computer writing or rewriting, we are indeed flogging the quill.
Posted by: Ray Rhamey | January 12, 2009 at 05:37 AM
"Dogged pursuit of compelling writing?" The shelves are already full of books promising to help a writer craft a novel for publishing success. You've gone from ridiculous with kitties to boring with crafting.
Posted by: Deana | January 12, 2009 at 05:57 AM
Okay, taking Deana's comment here and a comment on the vote page, how about:
Jump Start Your Novel: Craft a Novel that Sells
by Editor Ray Rhamey of Flogging the Quill
Posted by: Sarah Jensen | January 12, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Shouldn't hit send until I read these things.
Instead of having novel twice...LOL
Jump Start Your Novel: Crafting a Book that Sells.
IDK. :)
Posted by: Sarah Jensen | January 12, 2009 at 03:04 PM