Hello all

I've just signed up for my one week trial and this is my first post. Been looking at the site for a while now, finding it fascinating and getting distracted for far too long when I really should be working

I'm a journalist and I'm writing my first novel, which is based on my true-life experiences with Opus Dei. I've been involved with Opus Dei for about 8 years now and thought of writing a novel about it for a long time. Thanks to Dan Brown, the whole world and his dog now knows about the organisation so I would hope that it would spark people's interest.

My problem at the moment (50,000 words in) is that I have two titles: 'Immortal Sin' and 'Selfish Sacrifice'.

Are these both completely puke-inducing? I am worried they are far too sensational for my book to be taken seriously. It might sound silly and trivial but it is really bothering me. What do you all think? Would appreciate any comments!

Thanks in advance
Charlotte xxx

I like the sound of mixing the two: Immortal Sacrifice - any good?

(welcome aboard)
Colin M

Hi, welcome to WW. I like the second one Selfish Sacrifice because it rolls off the tongue nicely. The two words beginning with S go together well.

Katerina

Maybe The Selfish Sacrifice?

The Selfish Sacrifice I rather like. But titles are so dfficult! You may not know the answer till you've written it. Or someone else may come up with it much later in the publishing process: a dull (or even bad) title doesn't seem to be a deal-breaker.

And welcome to WW, of course!

Emma

Funnily enough, the first thing that sprang to my mind was Colin’s suggestion. However, as Emma says, there’s no need to worry too much about a title at this stage. In fact, as she will tell you, it sometimes doesn’t pay to become too attached to a title, as a publisher or agent might suggest an alternative.

Dee

Thanks for all your replies. Personally, I was leaning towards Immortal Sin, because it makes the most sense with regard to the story but I agree Selfish Sacrifice has more of a ring to it.

Not sure about mixing the two though...maybe I am trying to hard, but I wanted it to mean something and Immortal Sacrifice doesn't quite work...

It's interesting a couple of you saying not to worry about the title anyway as it might get changed. I never thought of that. I spend so long in my job agonising over headlines that I somehow thought the title was vital. (ooh I'm a poet and I don't even know it )

<Added>

<maybe I am trying to hard, >

How embarrassing. Sorry, of course I meant maybe I am trying TOO hard!

The Mathematics of Love wasn't called that originally, though it's a phrase from the book so in that sense I wrote it. Took me about three months to admit that Headline were right...

Emma

<Added>

I think abstract titles work better when there's something about them that sets up a question in the buyer's mind, which is why 'Selfish Sacrifice' works, since they ought to be antithetical. I know 'Immortal Sin' ought to be too, but somehow one doesn't read it as that.

I think they both work pretty well, precisely because they are a clever reversal of the original phrase in each case. Similarly, instead of 'God's Work' you could have 'Working God'. But that may not be in the spirit of the book!

Chris

That's a good one Chris, but doesn't quite work with the story! I like the idea behind it though - but unfortunately my MC is the one getting 'worked' throughout the book. I'm going to give her a bit of an epiphany at the end though. Gotta have a happy ending!