LWW23: How We Come Up with Book Titles and Character Names

The duo is back from lots of travel, and they’re thrilled to catch up with each other.

TB has been going to writing conferences while also launching a book. Clare’s life has also been hectic. She road tripped through Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Within two days of returning, Clare launched book 2 of The Village Romance series (https://lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/the-village-romance-series). TB urges everyone to grab their copy of A Taste of Love (https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Love-Village-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B07VKDVPV4) because the book is amazing.

Clare has ice cream news just in time for her release. A Taste of Love has lots of ice cream talk. In Poland, ice cream is called lody, but Clare isn’t sure how to pronounce it. She was disappointed by her flavor choice, and TB is shocked Clare hates one particular flavor. Clare reveals the final flavor from A Taste of Love.

The two move onto the main topic: how do they come up with book titles and character names. For titles, TB doesn’t have a set method. For the first book, her partner, over beer and wine, came up with A Woman Lost. Clare wishes she knew the title at the start. She plies friends with drinks and asks for ideas. When in doubt, Clare falls back onto song titles since they’re always in her head. For character names, TB doesn’t know the names of her supporting cast until she gets to know them more, and she sorta uses a system of another writer. Clare favors names with certain letters and sounds. She also uses Facebook for inspiration. While titles and character names can be difficult, it’s best to keep writing the story. They’ll come to you. When in doubt, take your friends and family out and beg for ideas.

Resource:

https://lesbireviewed.wordpress.com/

Stop back next week for another lively conversation about what stories from their real lives they have used in their fiction. If you’d like to leave a comment on the episode, head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com. They’d love to hear from you. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

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6 Responses to LWW23: How We Come Up with Book Titles and Character Names

  1. Carol Hutchinson says:

    Thanks for the lovely shoutout, and sharing the link to my website 🙂 You are both so awesome, and this is the best podcast!

    Totally loving that original title for A Woman Lost TB, that would have been so awesome, and it made me smile.

    Brilliant episode! Glad to know I am not the only one who Google’s names for characters. I also find it is really difficult to use a name if I know someone who has that name :-/

    Titles I tend to come up with before I even have a story, and they usually fuel the story. I have to agree with Clare though, I have so many song lyrics in my head they usually end up influencing a story, or potentially as a title idea.

    Loving the last reveal Ice Cream flavour!

    Super excited to read A Taste Of Love and need to go buy some ice cream and gin so I am prepared for the experience. 🙂

    • admin says:

      Hi Carol!

      We both appreciate all that you do for lesbian fiction.

      I’m fascinated that you have a title before you have a story. That would be so awesome.

      You’re going to love A Taste of Love! And, yes. You’ll need ice cream and gin.

      Thanks so much for listening! TB

  2. Rachel says:

    I’m a total geek, I tend to play/run Dungeons and Dragon games with a group of friends. Coming up with non-player character names is a pain. I use the site babynamenetwork.com as my go to for naming people within the story.

    Taste of Love is in my kindle and next up on the list.

    • admin says:

      Hi Rachel!

      I just bookmarked that baby name site. Thanks for sharing!

      Enjoy A Taste of Love. It’s a fab book!

      Thanks for listening,

      TB

  3. Raffie says:

    Have read both books (VR ones) which I enjoyed and loved…Clare, you had me a ‘cherry ripe’ my fav choc bar; since I was a little girl : ) Now waiting for Harper’s book, sounds really good.

    Great podcast btw and I like how other authors pop in…I enjoy reading JJ Arias’ books so it’s great how others can intermingle and share ideas etc.

    P.S. Clare, I do agree with your ice cream flavours (thumbs up) and know where you’re coming from with choc ice cream *scrunching my nose here*.

    Cheers
    Raffie

    • admin says:

      Aw, thanks so much for reading our books. Harper’s just came out and I hope you enjoy it. I did!

      I’m thankful so many authors chime in here. We have such a great and supportive community.

      I’m trying to pretend you didn’t write you dislike chocolate ice cream. Trying…

      Thanks so much for listening and commenting!

      TB

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