I’m a fan of funky titles. As a graphic designer I’m always drawn to a great cover, but the title is what seals the deal for me. If it’s a one word title it better not be generic. There are a few best sellers out there with one word titles that just bug me right now. (I won’t name names or point figures.) But I also have a friend who writes books with one word titles that are actually cool. Personally, I’m more partial to long titles and interesting titles.
For example, the title of the book I’m querying right now is “The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl”. I originally titled it this as a joke, but it’s grown on me and I actually like it now. I’m hoping that I can keep this title should the stars ever align over my head and someone choose to publish it, but I’m also ok with it being changed, as long as the replacement title doesn’t make me want to slap myself. I doubt that will happen though. Let’s face it, if someone picks up my book (and me!) I’ll be so thrilled I’ll probably let them name my next baby.
NOTE TO AGENTS AND EDITORS: I’m easy. Very easy. We’re talking literary slut here. I will do your bidding. I have a price. It isn’t all that high and I enjoy working my fingers to the bone. Thanks 
This brings me to my work in progress. I didn’t do such a great job with Scintilla. It was fun, but we had a ton of family obligations pop up over the last few weeks. So I jumped into Camp Nanowrimo on April first hoping to puke up another messy rough draft of something new and exciting. Only the book I was planning to write wasn’t quite ready in my brain yet. I need to do more research since it is another historical fiction piece. (The research end of things is kind of important in historical fiction. Eh hem.) But I knew I wanted to write a middle grade novel.
I’ll have the Turkey a la King please. Gulp.
So I jumped into a true story. It’s a story about my son and his experiences in the fourth grade. I took everything he’s been through this year and I’m smashing it into a MG novel. I’m also spicing it up with aliens and super powers and an evil lunch lady. (DISCLAIMER: Our lunch lady is fantastic. I hope she never reads this book.)
If nothing else I’m writing it so that he can read it and maybe replace some of his bad memories from this year with good ones. It might never leave my home, but I think that writing is what counts. Not writing the perfect book twice a year, but just writing. Constant, thoughtful writing is what makes a difference.
Oh yah, and it’s titled “Nosepicker”. What ten year old boy wouldn’t want to read this book? I plan on writing a sequel called “The Longest Burp”. Nice eh? I like MG prose and I love my MG boy.
Check me out on the Camp Nanowrimo website: http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/jennygranola/novels/nosepicker/stats
