This title has been a long time in coming. At first, I called it The Girl Who Learned to Fly Again, and I used that while I wrote the story. But the more I thought about it, the less that seemed to work, so for a long time I just called it Flying Woman.
I had this image of a young woman sailing down snow-covered mountains, hair streaming behind, joy radiating from her. Here was a person who loved what they did and it showed.
Well, Flying Woman didn’t fly with me or anyone else I ran it past. Finally, the real title came, but not in a flash. It more or less crept up bit by bit. I remember starting with the image of snow-topped roofs, and the slow trickle of water that form icicles under a wintery sun. For a while, I carried that image around with me, and then I thought about what happens when you snap off one of those long thin chunks. Sometimes they shatter, don’t they? And there was my metaphor.
My young protagonist was going to have a lifetime dream taken from her in one terrible moment. Her dreams were going shatter. Her body as well. So the title became…
Shattered: A Story of Betrayal and Courage
Nineteen-year-old Libby Brown is on her way to the winter Olympics for her shot at the Gold. But on a last practice run, an out-of-bounds snowboarder collides with her, and she wakes up in a hospital unable to move her legs. Terrible accident they say, but was it? Or did someone want her off the U.S. slalom team? Libby must find the truth or remain shattered forever.
So there it is. I have a title and the cover artist is working on how the final package is going to look. Now’s when I start getting excited and really anxious. I love covers. To me, they can make or break a book. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Yay for finding your title! It definitely feels like a stronger title now.
That seems to be the consensus. Thanks for chiming in!
I know it’s an old title, but I did like the sound of The Girl Who Learned to Fly Again, but Shattered has a very nice ring to it. And the subtitle is great with it. 🙂
I know. But somehow people didn’t “get” what I was trying for with that first title.
Great title. They can be tricky for me sometimes and other times come super easy.
I like the easy-come ones!
I like your new title. Shattered sounds like many lives that need rebuilding.
Exactly. And they all do it differently.
Hi Lee - this sounds perfect for your story, while that seems totally intriguing … I’m feeling anxious about the story line - so it resonates. Looking forward to seeing the cover … congratulations - cheers Hilary
I’m looking forward to it as well and feeling a bit of dread, too. This is always a hard waiting time for me. Will it be good? What if I hate it? We’ll see.
Titles are hard. Sometimes they do take a while to crystalize.
So true. And once I have a title in my head, I have a hard time changing it. That’s what happened with this one.
Shattered sounds perfect!
Love the blurb - got chills reading it!
I’m glad you like it, Jemi. The opinion of my fellow authors is really important.
Congratulations. On the very rare occasions I write titles are HARD. They are important to me too (more important (personally) than the cover art). A title is the first thing which makes me pick up (or reject) a book.
Oh, good to know! I’m checking in with you next time.
Congrats on your title! I agree with Elizabeth that it is a very intriguing one.
I’m glad you both like it. I’m also glad I didn’t stick with my first choice.
That title opens up a whole new level of story intrigue. Well done!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Now that that choice is settled, I can breathe a bit easier.
Great title! Love the blurb too.
Why is that blurbs and synopses are agonizing and so time-consuming to write? I’m glad you liked it.
Shattered is a good word for the story. I have trouble coming up with titles as well.
And they have to be right, don’t they? Not just sort of right.