Title Again
Dec72009
We just changed Always Kiss Me Goodnight You Again to One More Time.
I just couldn’t detach You Again from the book it belonged to. Stay tuned. Nobody’s thrilled with One More Time, although it fits the book, so I’m happy.
5:56 PM:
OKAY, OKAY, everybody hates it including Jen and Mollie. Back to the drawing board.
I did offer Play It Again, but so far haven’t heard. Great minds, Rox.
I’d love to do Once More With Feeling, but it’s Joss’s.
Currently under consideration:
Breathe Again
Remember Me
Maybe This Time (it’s been used a lot)
ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.
Here’s the deal:
The book is about a thirty-something woman, a teenager, and an eight-year-old girl who are in bad places and would like to go back to where they were but they can’t. The ones who learn to move on and start over win and the one who insists on going back loses.
Knock yourselves out. I’m going to drink now.
Loading ...
231 Comments to 'Title Again'
On December 7, 2009 at 3:45 pm Rox said...
There’s always the great standy, Once More, With Feeling
or
Play it Again
On December 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm JenK said...
I don’t know. One More Time feels wrong. I don’t know why. It’s not like it’s my book. Why should the title feel wrong? But it does, so there you go.
Rox- I like Play It Again. Very cute.
On December 7, 2009 at 4:06 pm Merry the CB said...
Or… Always Kiss Me One More Time…
… Kismet, you fool…
… the Ghosts of Husbands Past…
Oh all right. I’ll stop. Geez, I was just tryin’ to be helpful… sniff
On December 7, 2009 at 4:12 pm toni said...
ONE MORE TIME sounds… tired. Resigned. Bored. No Crusie irony in that one.
On December 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm CrankyOtter said...
I have to agree. Just reading the title depressed me. That is probably one of the worst titles I’ve seen recently. It’s a title guaranteed to get my eyes to slide to either side of the book without seeing it, like the room of utility (forget the name) from Harry Potter – and not in a good way.
Good luck getting something that isn’t You Again, but is also not resigned and bored. Sign me up for Once More, With Feeling (while Joss fans think Buffy, and former chorus students think about singing it again, but, you know, smiling this time.)
On December 8, 2009 at 12:23 am Moth said...
Room of Requirement in HP.
On December 7, 2009 at 4:13 pm Sarah said...
If One More Time doesn’t work, maybe One More Chance?
On December 7, 2009 at 4:35 pm Katie Redhead said...
If you’re reopening title talk…I have a thought. Off the wall and possibly lame, but what about “Calling you back” or “Call me back” or something along those lines? Could be creepy – calling the ghost back from the dead, could be Crusie – calling back to & reigniting a relationship?
(or not…this is why some of us should stick to reading and stay out of the way of the girls in the basement)
On December 7, 2009 at 4:37 pm Chelle said...
I agree with Rox, with one change: Once More…With Feeling.
Something about the “with feeling” reminds me of North.
On December 7, 2009 at 4:42 pm toni said...
Isn’t that the name of the Buffy musical episode? Or was that “Where Do We Go From Here?” hmmmm, now I have to go dig into my DVDs.
On December 7, 2009 at 4:47 pm Chelle said...
Yes! My favorite episode, actually.
But, I still like the title
On December 7, 2009 at 5:47 pm toni said...
I do, too. Can we all vote on a title? You know, just knock Jenny in the head and put what we want on… oh. Er. um. I totally meant “knock softly and with great affection.”
On December 8, 2009 at 6:32 pm Diane (TT) said...
I like it, too – it occurred to me as well. But I haven’t looked at the rest, yet.
On December 7, 2009 at 5:38 pm Mary Stella said...
As soon as I saw One More Time, I thought, Once More With Feeling would be better. Great Arghs Think Alike? (GATA)
Back Again? Back to You (although it sounds like a news reporter).
On December 7, 2009 at 5:46 pm Kyra said...
I normally don’t say this but I really dislike the new title. Play It Again sounded good tho.
On December 7, 2009 at 6:26 pm Renee Somebody said...
One More Time does sound…. defeated. I am also a big Once More With Feeling fan, but I don’t know that it is the exact right title for the book. Kiss Me Once More? Kiss Me Goodnight? Goodbye Once Again? Always Goodbye? There has to be something that suits this better.
On December 7, 2009 at 6:34 pm Marge said...
Delurking to suggest The Flip Side. Please disregard if this has been previously suggested. I like The Flip Side a lot but it is possible that I am remembering something from another long-ago time when I was paying better mind to things Cherry-wise, and if I just stole someone’s idea I didn’t mean to. : )
On December 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm Jill said...
Once More With Feeling is over done. It is a Buffy. It’s a Nora. But my fav is this one: Once More, with Feeling: How We Tried to Make the Greatest Porn Film Ever
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Once+More+With+Feeling&x=15&y=19
On December 7, 2009 at 6:54 pm marge said...
So I forgot to say why I like The Flip Side as a title contender. First, it addresses the ghosty, alternate reality aspect of the story. Plus the starting over part – the same but different. And if both characters are listening to different covers of the same piece in their cars, it works that way too. Sort of. It’s like a little theme.
On December 7, 2009 at 6:54 pm Rox said...
If Always Kiss Me Goodnight is out for sure, what about something like Kiss Me Goodnight Again
or
Kiss Me Goodbye Again
or
Again With the Kissing
On December 7, 2009 at 6:55 pm Jenny said...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Jen doesn’t like it, either. Back to the drawing board.
On December 7, 2009 at 7:48 pm Brooke said...
Oh, come on – “Again with the Kissing” is hysterical.
On December 8, 2009 at 2:15 pm Beki said...
Absolutely. can we call it this later no matter what the real title turns out to be?
On December 7, 2009 at 7:30 pm Sarah said...
No Road Back? Don’t Turn Back? Try It Again?
Man, titles are hard. More appealing than doing what I should be doing, but still hard!
On December 7, 2009 at 7:36 pm WapakGram said...
Don’t Start With Me….Start Over. You can hear the woman telling the teen ager…”don’t start with me!” I heard her, I swear I did.
Maybe this time……(I hear Liza singing.)..
Don’t Go Back. (Captain Obvious)
I have a cat purring on my lap..my brain is mush
On December 7, 2009 at 7:38 pm Theresa said...
I looked up the synoyms for “again”. What about something with “anew”?
Kiss me anew or Kisses anew. Or maybe not.
Never again? Too ultimatium like.
Wow, I’m really bad at this. I guess I still like Always kiss me goodnight. It has so many possible meanings. A parent kissing a child goodnight. Spouses kissing goodnight. The slightly sinister feel it invokes if said in the right tone.
On December 7, 2009 at 7:47 pm Brooke said...
Joss Whedon used that like 10 years ago, AND he used it on an ep of a TV show, right? Nora may have used that for a novel, but it was 15 years ago and it looks like it’s out of print.
Or maybe something like Go Home Again, as in you can’t.
I’ll Never Tell? Like from that song that Xander and Anya sing?
You Can Run (but you can’t hide)
Hell, I don’t know. Good luck with that.
How about that? Good Luck With That. ha ha ha ha ha
On December 7, 2009 at 8:11 pm Jenny said...
I love that as a title. Not for this book but for a book.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:55 am Meredith B. said...
Yeah, I like that one.
Maybe when you’re done with Liz you can write that one.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:00 pm Michelle from Texas said...
I saw “Always Kiss Me Goodnight” on about four different things while shopping Saturday. All I could think about was you, Jenny. I thought maybe it was a sign. From the ghosts.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:04 pm Marge said...
Right in Time. It’s like you find the right thing or the right person to do and suddenly you’re Right in Time with The Fates and the dance, etc. Except it’s a Lucinda Williams song title, but generic enough to stand by itself probably.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:04 pm Tracy MacNish said...
Hindsight
A Recipe For Disaster
Finding titles isn’t fun. I like Shakespeare quotes for inspiration (not that my offerings apply).
On December 7, 2009 at 8:09 pm Sheena said...
Sorry, but I like Always Kiss Me Goodnight. It has implications of the dark time of day, sinister undertones of love beyond death (maybe I’m projecting now), and obsession. Also for some reason it invokes Mary Higgins Clark, whose books always give me the chills. You Again sounded much more upbeat and chick lit, to me. Why do Jen and Molly hate Always Kiss Me Goodnight so much? I guess you could always go biblical – A Force Stronger Than Death? Nope, I’m not a writer. Back to you.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:14 pm Jenny said...
Always Kiss Me Goodnight is gone. Off the agenda. Of the island. Argh.
I think they want something peppier, less foreboding. I want a New Gothic title. I suggested Banana Bread at Midnight, but so far, no love for that one, either. There’s a big banana bread motif. No, I’m not kidding.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:13 pm PG said...
Something peppier than AKMG? (Not better, because I can’t really think of anything better than AKMG for what you’re describing, but peppier.)
I really like “Play It Again” and “Once More with Feeling” — both fit with the line from Turn of the Screw where the moment in which the young woman makes up her mind to take the job is described as “she faced the music, she engaged.”
More Turn of the Screw-inspired:
Miles Before We Sleep
Turn Around
I Turn to You
She Talks to Angels
Never Be Lonely
Running Against the Wind
I’ll Be Seeing You
Charmed
On December 8, 2009 at 3:52 am Micki said...
Boy, I really like Banana Bread at Midnight. And you aren’t going to find *that* title on the bookshelves, I betcha. How about Going Bananas at the Midnight Hour? Plus sides: doesn’t signal romance, doesn’t say This is A Crusie Like You’ve Known Before, definitely about family. Single people aren’t really connected with banana bread, unless they make it for the office or something — too much for one person to eat, y’know.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:19 pm Meredith B. said...
Banana Bread at Midnight screams “Cozy,” and a kind of lame one at that. (I’m not knocking cozies, I read and often love them.) But I’m very excited about the banana bread motif. Does this mean we get a superlative banana bread recipe? Because it’s one of my favorite things to bake, and I’m always looking for new recipes and ideas.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:21 pm Bethany said...
Hey! I’m single (unmarried, boyfriend who does not live with me, have cat instead of kids). I love to make banana bread. It uses up bananas that go bad before I can eat them. I’m only one person–it’s hard to finish a whole thing of bananas by myself! Banana bread stretches the bananas and can be frozen if it gets close to the end, or used for banana bread pudding (ridiculously good, if I say so myself).
On December 7, 2009 at 8:18 pm SamG said...
I didn’t read all the posts. I usually think myself too lame after. Anyway, what about Time and Again…seems to cover both things…
Sam
On December 7, 2009 at 10:12 pm Jenny said...
I like Time and Again, but it’s a Jack Finney novel that’s a cult fave. It’s like Once More With Feeling which would be perfect but belongs to Joss forever.
Also we have to be careful not to sound like time travel. Which is Finney’s book.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:53 am Micki said...
Again, But Put Your Heart In It?
On December 7, 2009 at 8:27 pm Karen said...
How about “Once Again” ? or has that been done?
Good luck with the search. Love all your books!
On December 8, 2009 at 1:18 am Briana said...
I was thinking “Over Again” — similar to Once Again, but it could be read as referencing a do-over or a “is he over her?” or whatever.
Or, you know, it’s late and I should be in bed.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:37 pm G and T said...
What’s the name of the button on the remote control that lets you surf back to the previous channel? Sometimes you can win and move ahead with that; sometimes you lose.
On December 8, 2009 at 1:22 pm Carol Anne said...
Sony = Jump
Toshiba = Channel Return
On December 7, 2009 at 8:38 pm Sultana B said...
I was looking back over some of your older titles and I really loved the titles ‘Bet me’ and ‘Faking it’. So I was thinking maybe you can do something along those lines and go for Change me, or Last chance. They don’t sound very good now that I’ve written them down but I hope you get some ideas from this.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm Elisabeth Crisp said...
You Redux?
On December 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm Terrio said...
Don’t throw anything at me, but One More Time makes me think “Hit me baby one more time” and I don’t want to think of Britney when I think of you. That’s not good for anyone.
I’m not all that good at this but how about:
Changing Directions
Back To No Good
Better Off Bread (that’s bad, sorry)
Walk Into The Light
Backtracking Ahead (that doesn’t even make sense)
Finding Your Way
Once and Always (though I’m guessing that’s been suggested and I’ve forgotten)
On December 7, 2009 at 8:43 pm Marge said...
One last thing:
“The End of the Innocents”
as in the novella meets the film meets Don Henley? Okay well my girl crush on Deborah Kerr is showing. Anyways, good luck. It will all be fine of course, as always, and the final title will be just right and the story will be wonderful and I can’t wait.
On December 7, 2009 at 8:45 pm Kristina said...
How about “Back to You”?
On December 7, 2009 at 8:50 pm Jennifer said...
Tracy suggested Shakespeare, which reminded me of a sonnet- not sure of the title or number. But it has themes of love, and time, and is surprisingly dark yet… I don’t know, empowering. Sorry, I’m tired. Anyway, what about these titles pulled from the sonnet, or some version of them:
Love’s not Time’s Fool
Within the Bending Sickle’s Compass
The Edge of Doom
On December 7, 2009 at 8:51 pm Gail said...
How about “This Time Around”
Or if you want a Tolkien reference “There and Back Again”
On December 7, 2009 at 9:16 pm Chrissy Deffendall said...
Forward Motion
Time Forward
Fortune’s Time
I like the idea of “Keep moving forward…” –”Meet the Robinsons” was a highly underrated movie, in my opinion.
On December 7, 2009 at 9:21 pm Rox said...
How ’bout
Back at You
On December 7, 2009 at 9:22 pm Rox said...
Or
Back to You
On December 7, 2009 at 9:25 pm Rox said...
Oops, someone already said Back to You. Never mind.
Back to Kissing You
Do we like the word “kiss” in the title? Also, I don’t know what “New Gothic” means.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:14 pm Jenny said...
The Mistress of Mellyn, Wildfire at Midnight, Rebecca kind of Gothic for the 21st C. Andie’s a governess trapped in a house full of supernatural threats protecting motherless children, classic gothic romance. The updates are the sex and the banana bread.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:28 am Moth said...
Well, since there’s a governess what about:
“Bombazine and Banana Bread”
Huh, huh?
(I’m kidding).
On December 7, 2009 at 9:23 pm Marilyn K. said...
The Come Back
Coming Back To Life
Life’s Coming Back
Life’s Come Back
On December 7, 2009 at 9:26 pm El said...
Once More With Healing
Once More With Peeling
Once More With Pealing
Once More With Darjeeling
Turn the Screw
One More Turn of the Screw
……
On December 8, 2009 at 1:21 am Briana said...
Her Turn to Screw…
Oops. That would be the porn title. You know, if Jenny wrote porn….
On December 8, 2009 at 11:23 am Judy Long said...
Maybe a porn title but I love it – not for this book of course.
On December 7, 2009 at 9:37 pm ChelSierra said...
Once Again
Once Again, With Spirit(s)
Once Is Enough
Enough Is Enough
Been There, Done That … Never Again.
Never Again
Don’t Look Back
Never Look Back
Don’t Turn Back
Never Go Back
Never Go Back Again
Don’t Go Back There Again
Won’t Go Back There Again
You Can’t Go Back Again
With Eyes Wide Open
Keep Your Eyes Ahead –
(Googled and found a song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIicqULYhGw)
Return Nevermore
Nevermore
On December 7, 2009 at 9:39 pm ChelSierra said...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIicqULYhGw
On December 7, 2009 at 9:44 pm JulieB said...
Do Not Pass Go.
On December 7, 2009 at 9:55 pm Hannah said...
How about A Kiss through Time?
On December 7, 2009 at 9:56 pm Terrio said...
Googled New Goth stuff and found Only Once and That Which Passes. A twist on one over there is Love In Mourning. Could be Love In The Mourning. Too macabre maybe.
Also checked out some Nick Cave titles (he scares me btw) and found To Have And To Hold.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:22 pm misspiggy don'twannabe said...
Kiss Me Goodnight Again
As the screw turns
As the world turns (no copyright on titles!)
Boomerang kisses – now I’m just getting silly. I’ll quite while I’m behind. WAY behind.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:23 pm GatorPerson said...
Get It Right This Time
On December 7, 2009 at 10:26 pm D. said...
I, too, liked AKMG. I’m most likely going to call the book by that title no matter what it ends up being named. However, since Jen has deemed it axed:
Do-over
Ghost of a Chance
One Foot on a Banana Peel…
Okay, I think we all know I’m out. But for your drinking pleasure…
http://www.zazzle.com/banana+gifts?cg=103113243848843719
On December 7, 2009 at 11:25 pm Jenny said...
Huh. I was working on a novella as a sequel to this that had the working title Ghost of a Chance. I never thought of it for this. Hmmmmm.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:27 pm Kay T said...
Don’t Go There
Vanishing is a good gothic title word – Vanishing Kiss
Ever After (I know it has been used before)
Forever Again
On December 7, 2009 at 10:38 pm JamieH said...
I still love Always Kiss Me Goodnight- for me it has that romance and gothic foreboding you seem to be going after.
But definitely not Remember Me. It’s been done too many times.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:45 pm Library Linda said...
Take it From the Top – in the musical vein
Do Overs – appeals to the eight-year-old in me
The baking version of it could be – The Second Batch Upgrade
On December 7, 2009 at 10:45 pm PG said...
If we’re thinking about the influence of the house,
Raise the Roof
Raze the Roof
Back to Then
Let The Right One In — which is also the awesomest vampire movie ever
(Maybe We’ll Find) Better Days — from a Goo Goo Dolls song
The World Begins Again — ditto
Everyone’s Forgiven Now — ditto
On December 7, 2009 at 10:47 pm Marge said...
Screwed Again.
Screw the Turns
Always Screw Me Goodnight
The Banana Dance
Kidding. I’m sorry. It’s just that I too liked AKMG best. Sad to see it go.
On December 7, 2009 at 10:49 pm Marilyn K. said...
Going Nuts for Banana Bread (time for bed)
On December 8, 2009 at 3:58 am Micki said...
Banana Bread with Special Nuts (is it a book, or a breakfast food? LOL! But your heroine isn’t bonkers, is she? Not like that poor woman in TOTScrew . . . .)
On December 7, 2009 at 10:55 pm Jennifer said...
Carrying On
On December 7, 2009 at 11:04 pm Kim said...
How about “Here’s the Deal”? You started your paragraph explaining the book with it, it’s short and catchy as a title, and easily remembered by the book buyer.
On December 7, 2009 at 11:09 pm Heqit said...
What about Only Way Out or The Only Way Out?
From “the only way out is through,” of course — going back to the dilemma facing the characters. They want what they once had, but if they go back (or go backwards) in trying to get it, they lose. It’s only if they forge ahead and go through the (metaphorical) swamp that they’ll come out on solid land again, but in a new place, with new possibilites (terrain, to keep the geographical metaphor going) ahead of them.
Only Way Out It sounds Crusie-ish?
On December 7, 2009 at 11:14 pm Lilah Pierce said...
I don’t think I know as much about the story as the other commentees – I’m just going off the little description you wrote at the end of the book.
Some play off the characters’ attempts to go backward, some play off their growth -
Running Backward
Wrong Way Forward (I like that one)
Going Backward Forward
Forward Not Back
One Step Forward Not Two Steps Back (Kinda long)
Back Again (not sure if someone else already said that one)
Lesson Learned, Again
New Dogs, Old Tricks (mostly I’m just playing on the old tricks half, the old dogs part can probably be altered a bit to fit the story if it doesn’t already)
Been There, Done That
The Good Times, Again
On December 7, 2009 at 11:14 pm Lilah Pierce said...
I meant little description at the end of the blog post
On December 7, 2009 at 11:20 pm Egads said...
Maybe This Time
On December 7, 2009 at 11:21 pm Rox said...
Banana Bread Again?
To the Bananor Born
Para(nor)mour Encounters
Ghost of a Chance (Again)
On December 7, 2009 at 11:24 pm Kellie said...
From the prompts of Never Again and Forever Again, this stuck in my head, though now I’m trying to explain it and failing…
Ever Again
On December 7, 2009 at 11:26 pm Jenny said...
Impossible Things (Alice in Wonderland)
Yesterday’s Blues
Second Hand Love
Change of Hearts
Hungry Hearts
Remember Me
Closer Than I Appear
One Belief Away
Why yes, I have been googling my fave musicians on iTunes. I’M DESPERATE.
On December 7, 2009 at 11:32 pm Lilah Pierce said...
I can’t remember – Aren’t there ghosts in this one?
On December 8, 2009 at 12:21 am Jenny said...
Yes. Several. Because I love a big cast. ARGH.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:31 am Moth said...
I like Maybe This Time.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:39 am Lilah Pierce said...
I do, too. I have a story that has seven characters that are in almost every scene for half the book. Do the ghosts play a major role in helping the characters grow? Do you have an aspect of the story you want the title to focus on the most?
On December 8, 2009 at 4:01 am Micki said...
One Dream Away? One Kiss Away? Closer Than They Seem?
On December 8, 2009 at 10:30 am JulieB said...
I like “Impossible Things” very much.
On December 8, 2009 at 2:50 pm Sierra said...
I really like Maybe This Time. That song gives me this feeling of bittersweet hope and determination.
Now I have Kristin Chenoweth’s voice in my head.
“Maybe this time, I’ll be lucky…”
On December 7, 2009 at 11:37 pm Julia said...
Once and Forever
Every Time We Say Goodbye
For Never and For Always
This Time I Mean It
Thanks for the Memories
Always, Never Again (or Never Again, Always)
The More Things Change…
On December 7, 2009 at 11:38 pm Deb M said...
That’s the Spirit
In Good Spirits
Spirited Away
The Spirit is Willing
Present in Spirit
Wounded Spirits
an. in a different vein,
One More Shot
On December 8, 2009 at 10:41 am Victoria said...
“Spirited Away” is a Miyazaki movie. It also has a similiar message — going forward because you can’t go back. It’s also chock full of ghosts, spririts and various magical beings from Japanese culture.
On December 7, 2009 at 11:41 pm marly said...
Holding Patterns, Moving On From Midnight, Stepping Out, Night Moves, Night Moving, Best Foot Forward, No Standing Still, Slipping Away,
On December 7, 2009 at 11:42 pm RfP said...
All Shook Up
Screwed Too Tight
Twice Over
Don’t Look Back
The Screwcap Letters*
*Nothing to do with your story. Just saw The Screwtape Letters on the shelf today and couldn’t resist infusing it with a little booze. Though it does have demons in it….
On December 7, 2009 at 11:51 pm Ericka said...
I like “Time’s Fool” but it’s not really Crusie-ish, is it? Of course, my fave is “AKMG” – sorry it’s dead. *sigh*
Maybe make it a question – “One More Time?”
Don’t Go Back
Not Back There
You’re Not Here
You Aren’t Home
I dunno. Pick one and get it on the bookshelf, please!
On December 7, 2009 at 11:51 pm Lilah Pierce said...
Move On
On December 7, 2009 at 11:55 pm Shelly said...
I really like Ghost of a Chance, whoever suggested it…
On December 8, 2009 at 12:01 am Marge said...
Who’s There?
On December 8, 2009 at 12:04 am Merry the CB said...
Gothic would be something like
Return at Midnight or Always Kiss Me at Midnight or something along those lines.
Return of the Ex-Wife? Sounds like a revenge novel.
The Ghost and the Ex-Wife?
Ghost of a Second Chance
Oh hell. I’m not going to say that I prefer AKMG, but that’s only because I don’t want to be the commenter who pushes you over the edge for repeating that 1,001 times.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:05 am Carol Anne said...
Only You Again
Victoria Holt – loved her books!
On December 8, 2009 at 12:12 am Merry the CB said...
Look for me by moonlight; Watch for me by moonlight; I’ll come to thee by moonlight…
On December 8, 2009 at 12:16 am Lilah Pierce said...
Moving Forward, Moving On (Yes, its a line from Gilmore Girls)
On December 8, 2009 at 12:22 am marly said...
The Shadowed Girl
I apologize in advance – here are his suggestions: Maiden Haunt, Smothering Heights, and Frisky Business. Well, Maiden Haunt is pretty funny.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:28 am Carol Anne said...
Always & Again…but it may be taken by music compositions – does that count for writing?
On December 8, 2009 at 12:29 am Chris V said...
Last Call?
Don’t Look Back?
On December 8, 2009 at 12:47 am RSmith said...
Midnights Past ??
On December 8, 2009 at 1:06 am robena grant said...
Ghosts: They’re not all Sunshine and Banana Bread
Heart of the Ghost
Apparitions by Moonlight
A Ghost of a Story
Moonshadow
On December 8, 2009 at 1:09 am SueG said...
Haven’t heard “Mistress of Mellyn or Wildfire at Midnight mentioned in ages! Loved both of those books when I first read them many moons ago.
That doesn’t help your current dilemma, but sometimes a walk down memory lane will trigger something. Maybe if you think about your fav gothics something will trip a “Crusiefied” title into being.
On December 8, 2009 at 1:10 am SueG said...
Oh, I forgot to mention…drinking always helps
On December 8, 2009 at 1:27 am marly said...
I love “Impossible Things”, and there is an Alice.
On December 8, 2009 at 1:31 am BCB said...
Here We Go Again
or
Here We Are Again
Kiss Me Twice
Falling Again
Measure Twice, Love Once
or
Pleasure Twice, Love Again
[carpenter's saying: measure twice, cut once]
Forget Me Not
Once Smitten, Twice Tried
(I know there’s a better word than “tried” there, but damned if I can think of it just now. Tied?)
I like Ghost of a Chance, too.
To hell with the title, I’ll be looking for your name on the cover. Call it “Ghosts and Sex and Banana Bread and You. Again.” or “Rinse and Repeat.” I’ll still buy it.
On December 8, 2009 at 1:42 am Ellie said...
Point of No Return
Never Too Late Till Now
At It Again
Never Let You Go
On December 8, 2009 at 2:26 am J. Whitehead said...
Titles are hard. Can’t Stop Thinking About You?
Always With You?
Holding On?
On December 8, 2009 at 2:27 am Emily said...
I thought of ‘New Day at Midnight’, but then realised that’s a David Gray album title.
Maybe ‘Second Start’, or something along that line?
On December 8, 2009 at 2:39 am Annie said...
How about “Circling the Drain”?
Not very cheery, but sort of fits in with the ghosts.
On December 8, 2009 at 10:24 pm Minette said...
A line from Hallelujah maybe? “Baby, we’ve been here before”.
On December 8, 2009 at 2:42 am jessie said...
The problem for me with One More Time or One More Time Again, is that it sounds like it a wrap for North and Andie to be back together, which makes the plot totally about them and everything else going on secondary. And none of your other titles do that; the title is relevant to something in the heroine’s life – or even in the life of many of the characters. Tell Me Lies is a good example of this.
Of course, I have nothing else to offer in its place. I liked the one you have dibs on for the novella,
Ghost of a Chance.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:30 am Micki said...
Without peeking at the others yet:
No Place Like Home
A Life in Three Movements (sucks, but maybe will spark something?)
Back and Forth
Made You Jump
Jump Back One, Move Forward Two
Going, Going, Gone
Oh well, did my bit.
On December 8, 2009 at 4:05 am Micki said...
(-: I did more than my bit, but here’s one more for the road:
Babysiters Don’t Look Back
On December 8, 2009 at 4:08 am Micki said...
I think I did more than my bit, but one more for the road (-:]: Babysitters Don’t Look Back.
What exactly do we call a governess in these enlightened ages? Temporary Nanny sounds not quite right.
Mary Poppins Would Skewer You With Her Umbrella . . . is probably not quite right either, because it sounds like they are friendly ghosts (???). This Ain’t Mary Poppins’ Watch?
OK, seriously final: Returning Spirals (which makes no sense, really, but plays off Turn of the Screw.)
On December 8, 2009 at 12:27 pm Bethany said...
Don’t Screw with the Governess? Andi Ain’t Leavin’?
I do like “Who’s There?” and “Maybe this Time”
On December 8, 2009 at 4:10 am Micki said...
Or would Spiraling Returns be just as bad? Or just Spiraling At Midnight With Banana Bread? sprirals, after all, are all about trying to get back where you were, but finding you are somewhere different, after all . . . .
On December 8, 2009 at 4:35 am Heather said...
I didn’t read all the posts, there’s a ton. Almost didn’t bother posting, but it’s four in the morning and I’m bored. I love procrastination.
Do Over
Turn Over
Screw Over (lol, just kidding, Turn of the Screw, being silly, goddess I need sleep)
On December 8, 2009 at 5:35 am AgTigress said...
‘Ghost of a Chance’ was a 1984 category by Jayne Ann Krentz. Just saying…
On December 9, 2009 at 12:11 am Jenny said...
There are more than a dozen books on Amazon with Ghost of a Chance as a title. So that’s a no. Sigh.
On December 8, 2009 at 5:56 am Amsamfa said...
I hate to be a nudge but the title “Remember Me” is also being used for an upcoming movie coming out in a few weeks. Also, “Ghost of a Chanc”e has been used a lot recently in books (Yasmine Galenorn, Kate Marsh, Bill Somers…)
I wish I had something to throw into the pot. Throwing a screw in the works, then having no sort of resolution always reminds me of kindergarten and having my hair pulled by the class bully.
On December 8, 2009 at 7:28 am Emily said...
Some other thoughts:
Around Again
The Things We Cannot See (from Happy Phantom – Tori Amos)
Turn, Turn, Turn
That drink sounds like a good idea
On December 8, 2009 at 7:33 am patndixie said...
Gothic makes me think of shades, shadows, moon…
Shadows of the Night
Shadows of the Moon
Shadows of Darkness
Whispers of the Shadows
Echoes of Shadows
Shades of Night
Whisper to Me
On December 8, 2009 at 7:34 am Emily said...
Has anyone suggested ‘Another Turn’?
Otherwise, I like ‘Play It Again’.
On December 8, 2009 at 7:50 am Reb said...
I think I’m another vote for “Ghost of a Chance”. If we get to vote.
Failing that, for the gothic creepiness: “Light a Candle”. But only if there’s a hint of something in the book that it’d connect with.
Is the McMuffin banana bread? Hmmmm. How about something that plays on rising, like “Rise Up”?
On December 8, 2009 at 8:28 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
I feel your pain – coming up with titles is my least favorite part of writing!
I don’t (yet) have any brilliant suggestions but of the ones that have been suggested so far I like “You Again” the best – addresses Andy and North’s reunion and also suggests the ghosts, who I guess have lingered in the house, and best yet it SOUNDS like Crusie title to me.
If I have any flashes of brilliance I’ll be back…
Hmmm… ‘I’ll be Back”…. “I’ll be Seeing You”…
On December 8, 2009 at 10:08 am francois said...
“From the Top”
You know, like Ok, once more from the top, and this time make it peppy!
On December 8, 2009 at 10:13 am francois said...
“Turn around”
1. turn your life around and 2. look behind you!
On December 8, 2009 at 10:17 am KelC said...
Something’s Coming
North of Me, Again
Half-Baked
Clearly the impending blizzard is giving us too much time in the mid-west….
On December 8, 2009 at 10:18 am AgTigress said...
The problem with finding a title that is not only suitable, but also unique, brought to my mind the preface of P.G. Wodehouse’s ‘Summer Lightning’ (1929). He remarks on his delight at finding such a perfect title, and his dismay on discovering that ‘two novels with the same name have been published in England, and my agent in America cables me to say that three have recently been placed on the market in the United States’. He concludes, ‘I can only express the modest hope that this story will be considered worthy of inclusion in the list of the Hundred Best Books Called Summer Lightning’.
On December 8, 2009 at 10:22 am Natalie said...
The Circle Must Be Broken?
On December 8, 2009 at 10:29 am Victoria said...
I’m not done reading the comments, but something just hit me.
“Goodbye and Hello, Again”. or just “Goodbye and Hello.”
back to reading the comments.
On December 8, 2009 at 10:36 am JulieB said...
Oh, that reminds me of the Beatles song “You say ‘Goodbye’, and I say ‘Hello’.”
You Say Yes
I Say No
You Say Hello
I Say Goodbye
eh…
On December 8, 2009 at 10:53 am Victoria said...
Finished reading the comments. I will also add:
“No Going Back”
“Going On, Going Back”
“Back in Black” (mostly because JulieB’s comment partnered with Jenny googling musicians in my very associative memory and woke up an ear worm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXaZmY52gHM
On December 8, 2009 at 11:28 am SnarkMaiden said...
Obviously ‘There And Back Again’ is taken
Over Again (bit of tension on whether A&N make it)
The Other Side of Over (over him/not over him, the other side = supernatural)
Kiss Me Goodnight Again
What The Ghost Lady Wants (to make all the other titles sound better!)
On December 8, 2009 at 11:39 am Donna said...
Too Far Gone
On December 8, 2009 at 11:40 am Katie Redhead said...
Nanny, nanny, boo, boo
On December 8, 2009 at 11:40 am Katie Redhead said...
it cut off the part where I wrote that I was kidding…in case that wasn’t clear =)
On December 8, 2009 at 11:44 am Charlene Teglia said...
Forward Momentum, from the description, but it sounds more WF than romancy.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:56 am Sandra Dennison said...
Sorry if this has already been suggested–lots of comments. “Goodbye Again”
On December 8, 2009 at 12:14 pm Mary Stella said...
Back of Beyond.
Is that too gloomy?
On December 8, 2009 at 12:22 pm Savvy2 said...
I like Ghost of a Chance a lot, but there are several of those out there.
After Before
Anything But This
Chance It
Did That Already
Not Happening
Not So Much
Once More Again
Risky Choice
Yes or Go
On December 8, 2009 at 12:23 pm anna said...
Forever Ago
On December 8, 2009 at 12:24 pm Kelly said...
No Turning Back
On December 8, 2009 at 12:33 pm Dayna said...
Return To Me. Is that Dean Martin I hear?
In the Midnight Hour (with Banana Bread)
“To the Bananor Born” LOLOLOL! Nice belly laugh for the early morning.
On December 8, 2009 at 12:44 pm Laura said...
I’ve never commented before, but hey, first time for everything.
I’m not a big fan of “again” being in the title. I assume that means it is a sequel and pass it up because I haven’t read the first book. So here are a few suggestions:
Rewind Forward
Rewind Afresh
Sweet Repeat
Redon’t
Overdue Goodbye
On December 8, 2009 at 12:44 pm robena grant said...
Don’t Send Me Back
Please Release Me
Is it Over Yet?
On December 8, 2009 at 1:01 pm Savvy2 said...
Searching for titles is always fun. Another one:
What Do I Know?
On December 8, 2009 at 1:03 pm McB said...
I like “Here We Go Again.”
How about “Second Time’s The Charm”?
“All Over Again”
“Once Again With You”
“Ah, It’s You” (from the Pina Colada song)
“One More Time”
“That No One Can Deny”
“Back to the Beginning”
“Begin Again”
On December 8, 2009 at 1:12 pm marly said...
Haunter’s Moon
Haunting Ground
On December 8, 2009 at 1:14 pm LolaMac said...
Hmmm. Could you shorten Once More with Feeling– to… Once More.
Here are some other thoughts as a munch my lunch PBJ sandwhich, now wishing it had slices of banana on it.
After Goodnight
After All
After It All
After Love
Love After All
Goodbye, Goodnight
On December 8, 2009 at 1:23 pm jenifer said...
Since the point seems to be that you can’t play it again – you can’t do it over – so you must move ahead, what about something like:
What Lies Behind
and then a catch phrase below – You must give up the ties that bind.
Or, the house has towers and a main character is named North. Something like North Tower? From the North Tower, etc.?
And does the house have a name?
On December 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm Rox said...
And you’ve ruled out “Return of the Screw” have you?
Return North
North Return
North Again
Point of North Return
North by Northghost
There Ghost my Heart
North and the Nanny
On December 8, 2009 at 8:55 pm Steff M said...
There Ghost my Heart – good one!
On December 8, 2009 at 2:11 pm Gabriella Papic (WRW2004) said...
How about:
Give Me a Minute
Just a Minute.
In a Minute
I’ll Be Back
Good to Be Back
Back Me Up
Backing Up
Backup & Restore
Looking Back
Back to Life
Back to Reality
Back to Back
I’m Back
On December 8, 2009 at 2:16 pm Diana said...
Not Again
No Going Back
Once More
One More Time
Once Again
Try Again
Been There Done That
Hello Again
Like It Used To Be
It’s Been A While
Hello, Goodbye
Going Back North
This is so fun, I could go on like this for hours…
On December 8, 2009 at 2:18 pm Diana said...
I just tought of another one Fastforward To The Past
On December 8, 2009 at 2:27 pm hope101 said...
Recipe for a Haunting
Me Again
The Yesterday Music
For Never and Always
No More Midnights
To Hinder a Haunting
Meal at Midnight
On December 8, 2009 at 2:37 pm Rox said...
Haunt Me No More
On December 8, 2009 at 2:42 pm Jessica said...
I liked Ghost of a Chance too . . . I don’t think anyone will confuse it with a Jayne Krentz book from 1984, but I guess you never know!
I was thinking if you had it as a working title for a sequel, the title of this book could be a similar style and structure (unless that sounds too Nora-esque?). Having said that I have no _actual_ suggestions, but I was thinking of something that involves the word “Apparition” or “Phantom” – and instead of “chance” a similar word implying the opportunities and experiences of the characters . . . .
Now, how was that for a vague suggestion?
It really is surprising how hard it is to come up with a few pithy words! But at least you’ve definitely gotten a lot of inspiration from your comments – now to weed through all of them – and this vague idea
On December 8, 2009 at 3:02 pm Naked Under My Clothes said...
Did you rule out “Kiss Me Once Again”? I guess there’s already some kind of series title. Hmm.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:10 pm Kelly said...
Spirit of the Bread (instead of Dead).. just kidding
Someone to Watch Over Me
The Goodnight Kiss
Rising Shadows
Ideas inspired by The Turn of the Screw:
The Turn of the Path
Face the Music
Not A Word
Carried Away
I would like to work in some of these words: vision, secret, forgotten, lost, memory, linger, breathless, echo, phantom or ghost
Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:10 pm Sierra said...
Man…so many posts. Mine are probably not great choices, but they’re in my head now and I’ve gotta put them down somewhere.
No Going Back Now
One Last Chance
Haunted by You
Don’t Look Behind You (You know, cause you can’t go back. And also, there’s a ghost there.)
*sigh* Yeah…I’ve got nothin’. I still like Maybe This Time the most.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:27 pm Shangrila said...
One of my own personal made-up catchphrases is “Hundred ways to here.” I use this term when I think about all of the different paths that I’d planned on taking and didn’t and how every choice that I’ve made led me to my life with my husband and children. Kind of my version of the line from the Rascal Flatts song “God bless the broken road that led me straight to you” or Bette Midler’s “Every Road Leads Back to You”. I’ve always thought that maybe it should be, “One hundred ways to here” or “A hundred ways to here”, but since it’s always in my head, I prefer the alliteration of it’s first incarnation. I was trying to come up with a title that evoked a sense of direction, what with North and Southie and Andie looking back and the three characters trying to move forward, and just couldn’t get past this, so thought I’d pass it on just in case it helps any.
On December 9, 2009 at 12:15 am Jenny said...
I love it. It’s just too literary for me, but it’s really nice. There are GREAT titles on here.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:39 pm Jennifer Shirk said...
How about …?
Begin at the End
Another Time, Another Place
Always You
On December 8, 2009 at 3:44 pm MJ said...
What, no one’s suggested “Andromeda’s Strain?”
Only Fancy
Shadowing Time
Spin Again, Sweetheart
I really like just “Spin Again,” but it’s been used for various songs and books…not sure how recent.
On December 8, 2009 at 3:45 pm MJ said...
Uh, put the question mark outside the quotes…
On December 8, 2009 at 4:53 pm TerriO said...
I came THIS close to suggesting that today. LOL!
On December 8, 2009 at 9:59 pm Chrissy Deffendall said...
“Andromeda’s Strain”…!!!!!!!! I love it! Probably doesn’t strike the right tone for Jenny’s book, but I bet there’s a book in that title somewhere! Quick, all you writerly types, start straining…
On December 8, 2009 at 3:44 pm Marcia in OK said...
Stuck in the Middle
On December 8, 2009 at 3:48 pm L. said...
I really like “Haunted by You,” but here’s my stab at it:
Remember When
Turn Around
Shades of You
Reflections of You
On December 8, 2009 at 3:56 pm L. said...
Sorry, PG. I guess I didn’t read the comments as well as I thought.
On December 8, 2009 at 4:22 pm Reb said...
You’ve had Don’t Look Down. How about Don’t Look Back?
On December 8, 2009 at 4:23 pm Reb said...
Just kidding!
On December 8, 2009 at 4:28 pm Jo Walton said...
Can you use something from “Hallelujah”? Like “Been here before” or “Beauty and the moonlight” or “Love is not a victory march”?
The problem is that titles have to be thematic, that’s what they’re for, and it’s a case of finding the right theme for them.
With my last novel, I kept sending my editor emails every week with new potential titles and he hated them all. My next door neighbour finally came up with the one we’re using. I’m terribly tempted to suggest all the ones that didn’t work for mine in case they work for yours… but no.
On December 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm TerriO said...
I like Been Here Before. Or even The Secret Chord if the ghosts play music.
At Wits End
Last Ditch Effort
All’s Well That Ends Well
No Earthly Business
Beyond The Pale
Time Is A Cure
You Can’t Get There From Here
Yes, I googled cliches. She did say desperate.
On December 8, 2009 at 5:25 pm Chevy said...
This Time
On December 8, 2009 at 5:31 pm Mrs.MJ said...
Lead Me Away
No Going Back
Back To Then
Back To You
Best wishes with your search!
On December 8, 2009 at 6:13 pm Savvy2 said...
Facing North
Face It
On December 8, 2009 at 6:26 pm Annie said...
Ooo I like Facing North
On December 9, 2009 at 1:54 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
I like Facing North as well – good one!
On December 9, 2009 at 10:42 am LolaMac said...
Ditto on Facing North!
On December 8, 2009 at 6:53 pm Flamingo Cherry said...
I like some of the other suggestions, thought I’d offer a few more to toss into the mix … although none of them really hit all the necessary cylinders. some of them may have already been suggested.
The Road Once Travelled
Coming Full Circle
Passing Strange
Not Again
Never Again
On December 8, 2009 at 6:57 pm Ellie said...
Couldn’t resist. Sorry if I am covering already suggested territory.
For Better or for Haunted
Till Death Do Us Part
Practice Makes Perfect
On December 8, 2009 at 8:10 pm AlienEeeter said...
a heads up– “Remember Me” has been used for 3 other books. Two of them are ghost stories. Also it’s the title of a Robert Pattinson movie out next year, and you dont wanna be associated w/ twilight in any way….
On December 8, 2009 at 8:15 pm AgTigress said...
Reb said, “How about Don’t Look Back?” This is another, and much more recent, JAK title — one of her Amanda Quick historicals, from 2002.
On December 8, 2009 at 8:30 pm Eve said...
Random but made me think of you. Hang in there!
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/interesting_life.png
On December 8, 2009 at 8:34 pm Meggrs said...
Poe:
Quoth the Raven (Nevermore)
-or-
Nevermore (shades of Gaiman’s Neverwhere)
Dare to Dream
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Dream By Day
Byron:
When We Two Parted
Love’s Last Adieu
Alice in Wonderland:
A World of My Own
A Grin Without a Cat (heh)
We’re All Mad Here
Through the Looking Glass:
Still She Haunts Me
Life Is But a Dream
Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Random:
A Rose in the Dark
On December 8, 2009 at 8:35 pm Louis said...
How about..
Once More, Once Again
Or reverse
Once Again, Once More
On December 8, 2009 at 8:38 pm Kate said...
Find Me – a slightly melodramatic title but seems to fit the story and if you give it a quirky cover of someone playing peekaboo or something….
How to Walk Forward, Backwards
or, my personal favorite, Going South – sassy, geographically she’s heading that way, and it’s the opposite of North
On December 8, 2009 at 9:12 pm Kathleen said...
Ooooh title fun!
Where We Once Belonged
On December 8, 2009 at 9:13 pm Kathleen said...
Or: Where Once We Were, lol
On December 8, 2009 at 9:18 pm Jenni P. said...
In Bed with Banana Bread
Once More With Banana Bread
Ghost of Banana Bread Past
Not so Easy Banana Bread
Banana Bread Mistress (pretty gothic, huh
Just thought you need a little of the ridiculous. Really love the Banana Bread tho.
On December 8, 2009 at 9:21 pm kelli o said...
three bananas……..looking for bread
three bananas………love bread
lessons learned
just keep trying
trying to find right
life and lessons
three views
maybe something to do with a braid – you know, 3 lives intertwined. Or maybe even something combining the two – like “bad hair days need banana bread”
On December 8, 2009 at 9:40 pm toni said...
What Might Have Been
I Will Follow
Falling Slowly
On December 8, 2009 at 9:41 pm Nic said...
A Spirited Debate
Dancing Backwards
Round-about midnight
Doubletake (I know, place-name).
A Light at Each End.
Trading Favors.
Leave the past behind.
Uncertain light.
Whistling in the Dark
Time to get going.
On December 8, 2009 at 10:24 pm steph said...
wow, i have nothing to add except – sorry this is still haunting you. sadly I’m pretty bad at titles but I’m pretty good at drinking. how’s that going? LOL
On December 9, 2009 at 12:17 am Jenny said...
Hmmm. Maybe “Sorry This Is Still Haunting You” . . .
No.
On December 8, 2009 at 10:56 pm Kelly said...
Here Again
One Good Turn
On December 8, 2009 at 11:01 pm Chelle said...
Anyone but you?
On December 8, 2009 at 11:05 pm Karen said...
merry go round
round and round
round and ground
again
groundhog day …(although its been used in a movie)
On December 8, 2009 at 11:34 pm Lani said...
Okay, guys. Opinion please. Lately, every time Jen and I say something wise-ass, we say, “Hey! That’s the title for the book!” So tonight, we were snarking, and I said, “Better luck next time,” and we said, “Hey! Title for the book!” and laughed. Then a few minutes later, she said, “Hey,” and I said, “Hey,” and somewhere between then and now I’ve become CONVINCED that’s the right title.
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME, by Jennifer Crusie
Am I crazy? Or should that be it? Go ahead and tell me if I’m crazy. You’d hardly be the first.
Hey.
YOU’D HARDLY BE THE FIRST, by Jennifer Crusie.
Eh, I like BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME better.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:36 pm toni said...
I really like BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. That says Crusie to me. I’d pick up that book.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:39 pm Ellie said...
I love Better Luck Next Time. You’d Hardly Be the First would have me giggling all the way to the register when buying the book.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:40 pm Sharon said...
This is so fun! I really like Annie’s idea–Facing North-but could we add the word Again to the title?
On December 8, 2009 at 11:45 pm Jenny said...
HOW DID WE GET 200 COMMENTS ON HERE?
Jeez, I leave you guys to go Christmas shopping and you run wild. And then Rich shows up.
Also YOU’D HARDLY BE THE FIRST is going to be the title of my autobiography, so it’s off the table.
On December 8, 2009 at 11:46 pm Briana said...
I like Better Luck Next Time — that sounds like you.
Truthfully, though, if you called it “The Book Formerly Known as AKMG” as long as it had your name on it — or whatever funny little squiggle you chose! — I’d buy it. A Crusie book is one of my few “must-buy, buy-new, buy-extras-to-give-away” books.
On December 9, 2009 at 12:03 am SandieS said...
I kind of like “Screwed at Every Turn” which sounds comic to me, but then the working title for my book is “Monkey Sex” so what do I know?
On December 9, 2009 at 12:07 am BCB said...
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. Love it! A prediction and a challenge.
BLNT — like a BLT sandwich with that extra unidentified “N” ingredient.
And I’m really looking forward to YOU’D HARDLY BE THE FIRST. *snort*
On December 9, 2009 at 12:22 am Jenny said...
Okay, now I’ve read all the comments.
First of all, THANK YOU. I’ve been going nuts here, still am, and all I could come up with was LAYING GHOSTS. Because that’s what they call exorcising ghosts . . . no, really. Yes, that’s bad.
Ghost of a Chance is off the table; there are over a dozen novels with that title on Amazon. I sent Lani’s idea to Jen, but it may be too comic. I don’t think the book is funny, but then I never think the books are funny so what do I know. (THERE’S BLOOD ON EVERY PAGE, THAT’S WHY.) And no I didn’t drink. I wrapped Christmas presents and drank tea with Lani which is how we got to Better Luck Next Time. I’m still not sure about it. You know how you think, “If I hear it, I’ll know it?” And then I think up LAYING GHOSTS. Dear God. Going to drink now.
And thank you to everybody who said they’d buy the book no matter what the title was. I appreciate it. Especially since it may end up BANANA BREAD AT MIDNIGHT.
Unless it’s RETURN OF THE SCREW. That cracks me up.
On December 9, 2009 at 1:49 am Lois said...
Déjà Vu With You
On December 9, 2009 at 1:51 am Jill said...
BETTER LOVE NEXT TIME
On December 9, 2009 at 1:58 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
Now that I’ve read ALL the comments (to date) my two favorites are FACING NORTH and BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. They have that Crusie feel to them but still seem appropriate to the spirit of the story (get it? har har)
On December 9, 2009 at 10:46 am LolaMac said...
I agree – both feel Crusie-esque.
One last title to add to the pot…
Giving Up the Ghost
On December 9, 2009 at 4:26 am Deanna Nelle said...
My comment earlier disappeared…
The only ones I can remember now are:
Forever and Again
Old Aquaintance
This Old House
Stuck In The Middle With You
On December 9, 2009 at 8:47 am Allie said...
Wait, this ISN’T the one that’s supposed to be creepy? Or it is? Because my first thought was “One More Last Time.”
On December 9, 2009 at 9:39 am Kelly said...
I love Better Luck Next Time. Sounds like a Crusie.
On December 9, 2009 at 10:13 am BCB said...
Better Luck This Time
oooh!
This Time
On December 9, 2009 at 11:17 am Diane A. said...
My clear favorite is Banana Bread at Midnight, because …
(Test Blog to see if this works)
On December 9, 2009 at 11:43 am Diane A. said...
My clear favorite is Banana Bread at Midnight, because …
- it is unique and specific, with no taint of a much-used generic title. And the title is unforgettable, so when a reader says to a friend that “I read the BEST book the other day, and it was called…” the title stays near the surface of her brain’s hard drive, and doesn’t get confused with something similar.
- it makes me smile (not laugh) to hear or say this title, and makes me smell fresh-baked banana bread in my mind. This title would definitely stop my shelf-scanning eyes and get me to pick up the book to read the back, not an issue in this particular case because your name on the title would have me grab the book immediately. But if I had never read your books, Banana Bread at Midnight would at least get me to pick it up.
- the ‘at Midnight’ part of the title is a clear hint / homage to classic gothic romance. And if the cover art plays to the gothic, the ‘banana bread’ part of the title suggests humor.
- how can you resist having BBAM as the shorthand title for a ghost story?
Finally, don’t be surprised at the number of responses to this entry. You have built such a supportive on-line community here that it is entirely to be expected that when you ring an alarm bell, we all quickly respond to your request for help.