Emilio Estevez, having way too much fun playing Billy the Kid.
I’m sitting here, working in my bunny slippers in my adorable, picturesque dollhouse-like cottage on the lake. For your information, in real-estate terms, “picturesque” is code for old and in need of lots of repairs. “Dollhouse-like” means tiny and devoid of closets. “On the lake” means drafty.
The insulators are here, blowing stuff into my exterior walls (they did the attic two weeks ago) and I had failed to realize that my walls aren’t sealed. There’s a big section open to the outside wall under the kitchen sink and behind the counters, and another under the fuse box in the one microscopic closet. Luckily, the insulators found these, because if they’d blown insulation into those sections of the wall, my house would have filled up like a snow globe.
The Cottage at Crystal Lake
They’re banging, shouting, drilling, hammering and running a giant industrial blower. The house is shaking and all of the paintings on the walls are hanging more crookedly by the second.
And I need to write.
November is National Novel Writing Month. My word count is 8423, which is fine for the organization’s stated goal of 50,000 words in 30 days, but a tad short for my personal goal, which is 75,000 words, the target length of the novel for which I am under contract.
On top of this I just got an email letting me know it’s time to brainstorm titles for the three books in my contract. And I ABSOLUTELY HATE FIGURING OUT TITLES FOR BOOKS. Finding one that everyone can agree upon is a huge challenge. By “everyone,” I mean me, my editor, my editor’s boss, and a bunch of marketing people at the publisher.
Oh, and you thought authors always got to pick their own titles? Not so much.
My first published novel, Witch’s Knight, was my original working title.
The second, Men in Chains, was not. My title was Delinda’s Plan, but the publisher didn’t think it was evocative. It’s not a terrible title, but it doesn’t have much to do with the plot. It also leads readers to believe it’s a naughty book, which it isn’t (especially).
Beastmistress was my title. It sounds like a naughty book, and it IS a naughty book.
Then, I came up with the BEST TITLE EVAR. It was Mercy Killing. I was absolutely sure the publisher would keep it.
I was wrong. The book came out as Beg for Mercy. Not bad, but not what I wanted.
For the next two books in the Mercy series, the editors and I came up with a long, long list of phrases with the word “Mercy” in the titles and went back and forth until everyone agreed. I think I picked Angel of Mercy and the editor picked Cry Mercy, but it was a group effort.
Anyway, the next three books set in Mercy’s world are going to be published by a different line, with the same publisher. For various reasons, we have agreed that characters other than Mercy herself must be the protagonists of at least two of them.
So, here’s my dilemma: Do I want to keep using the word Mercy in each title? The answer is yes, I do. But, for two of them, the title cannot imply that the book is about Mercy the character.
I think I can get you enough information to help, without giving away huge spoilers about the books, which you are of course going to buy and read, right? (Nod your head yes.)
I have a pretty good idea (actually, supplied by my brother—Thanks, Bob. Oh, and happy birthday!) for the first book and several for the third book. But the second book is giving me fits.
Book 1, which features Sukey doing stuff on her own, is (hopefully) Without Mercy.
Book 3, in which Mercy IS the protagonist, will probably be Have Mercy. Unless I can talk them into my original suggestion, and finally get to use Mercy Killing.
So, I need a title for Book 2. It will have a romance plot in which, instead of redeeming a bad boy, a bad GIRL is redeemed. That’s all I can really tell you, other than Mercy and her friends will all be in danger to various degrees, due to the pre-redemption antics of the bad girl in question.
I’m looking for suggestions. AND, if your suggestion meets the approval of me, my editor and the senior editor for the line, I will NAME A CHARACTER IN THE SERIES AFTER YOU. Or, you could give it as a gift, to a child or spouse, etc.
Remember, the title must contain the word Mercy, but not imply that Mercy is the central character.
Good luck!
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Tags: Book Titles
Hah, right. As a straight male, am I even allowed on this site? :O
Oh well: Sisters of Mercy / Sisterhood of Mercy is the first thing that came to mind. Just throwing it out there.
*salute*
What about Void of Mercy? It implies harshness (bad girl) and no *cough* Mercy. Or Mercy Rebel, not sure of that one though b/c of Mercy herself. Or The Devil’s Mercy. Or, maybe combine two, The Rebel’s Mercy.
I’m brainstorming for you b/c I’m stuck on my NaNoWriMo and my goal is 75k. I’m at 10k but stuck. Maybe this will get the creative juices flowing…
Night Mercy, Flight of Mercy, Let me know if you like these. And I can I be a bad girl with a good heart if you name someone in the series after me? I’d love to be a tough fighter who hides their heart… maybe should write a book LOL
Good luck on NaNoWriMo! At least You’ll be warmer as the month progresses
What about Mercy Forgiven? Or Mercy Repenting?
Hmm… I love Mercy Killing. It’s a shame they haven’t let you use it up to now. Maybe if you get alot of responses here stating their love for it, they’ll let you.
I like Without Mercy & Void of Mercy from Leona.
Past Mercy
Seeking Mercy
Leaving Mercy
Beyond Mercy
Trading Mercy
Withholding Mercy
Withdrawing Mercy
Abandoning Mercy
Losing Mercy
Mercy Aside
Mercy Forgotten
Well, there’s a few.
Good luck! Missy
Seeing Bk 2 involves a chick redemption plot how about ‘Tender Mercy’
Good luck on nano!
Not that it’s helpful at THIS stage in the game, but I think I prefer “Mercy Killing” for the first book instead of “Beg For Mercy”. ^_^
I was thrown off track by having the impression the first one was a Paranormal Romance – but it’s a lot more paranormal with hints of romance tossed in, and reads much better with that expectation.
Also – Whee! A Sukey book? Such a fun character, now I’m all aglee!
I’m wickedly terrible at titles and actually find that other people wanting to foist their titles off on authors to be a relief. *laughs*
No ‘Mercy’ suggestions from me, aside from liking the continuity in the titles so I know which series the book belongs to. (I prefer my books properly sorted!)
I would have said With or Without Mercy, but the first title makes that a bust! lol
Can’t have Mercy,
Mercy Me,
Wishing for Mercy, any of those?
Zero Mercy
Everyone has had some really good suggestions…good luck with NaNo and hope you can settle on a name!
What about Missing Mercy?
Forgetting Mercy
Realizing Mercy
No Mercy
Having Mercy
Without Mercy
Giving Mercy
Abandoning Mercy
Finding Mercy
Aquiring Mercy
Attaining Mercy
haha,couldn’t stop..
Forsaking Mercy, for Mercys sake (lol), Finding Mercy, No Mercy,Refusing Mercy, giving no Mercy, Giving up Mercy. Abyss of Mercy
I think on it more…what a task
Mercy For Another Day?
Hooray Wrimos! I holding on the daily minimum wordcounts by the skin of my teeth. Shouldn’t even be here right now!
-My Mercy
-Mercy Me
-Gaining Mercy
-Taking Mercy
(I think No Mercy is good too, but someone else said it!)
If I think of more I will def. let you know. Am I weird for loooooving to title things? Its one of my favorite parts of writing. I used to title papers for my friends in college too.
Just a few ideas…
Delivering Mercy
Wicked Mercy
I will keep thinking and post anything else I come up with!
Blind with Mercy, No Mercy in sight
blinded by Mercy
Devoted to Mercy
Unbelievable Mercy
Ungodly Mercy
Obtaining Mercy
Summoning Mercy
Famous Mercy
Dear Mercy
Cheating Mercy
Unbound Mercy / Mercy Unbound
Mercy Unleashed
Ok so I’m having a Karate Kid Moment here..Sweep the leg …Do you have problem with that Mr Lawrence… No mercy…Fear does not exist in this dojo does it , pain does not exists in this dojo does it… ANYWAY…Pain w/o Mercy…ohhh FEAR NO MERCY
Mercy Unchained
Although I really like Sisters of Mercy, my three suggestions would be;
Mercy Lost
Mercy Found (better due to the redemption thing)
Sweet Mercy (the redemption thing made me think Shakespeare)
Mercy Rising
Mercy Falling
Looked back through the lists and I don’t think I saw where anyone posted “Praying for Mercy” but I could have missed it. Looks like you have lots to pick from. Good luck!
Forgotten Mercy, I will keep posting as I think of more lol
I didn’t know if you wanted the exact word “mercy” but I came up with Merciful Existence.
Or Merciless Existence.
Okay, now I don’t feel bad that I suck at picking titles for my stories.
I thought it was just me.
I’m 2 days behind on my NaNo so I need to get moving this week.
Mercy’s Judgment
Judging Mercy
Mercy’s Lament
Mercy’s Discovery
Discovering Mercy
Receiving Mercy
Mercy’s Mercy (lol)
Mercy’s Blessing
Mercy’s Curse
How about “Show No Mercy”?
OR – “Absent Mercy” (a play on the legal term, “Absent malice”?)
Love the cottage, Toni. So sorry for the banging. Ouch.
Since I’m stuck at the moment on NaNo, I’ll brainstorm for you. Maybe something will jar loose in my own WIP.
Prey Mercy (yes. I spelled that the way I wanted)
Mercy Under Fire
Mercy On You
Measure of Mercy
Acts of Mercy
Mercy and Redemption
Show Mercy
Show No Mercy
I have to rename my trilogy that’s coming out. I wish I had as much luck brainstorming it. *sigh* Good luck, Toni! Back to NaNo words.
Got Mercy
Goddess Mercy
Hidden Mercy
Unearthing Mercy
Revealed Mercy
Treasured Mercy
Saving Mercy
Some more! …
In Her Mercy
With Her Mercy
For Her Mercy
Say Mercy
Mercy Deprived
I’m also doing NaNo but it’s for a project I was never sure about writing. I’m so far behind @ 4000+ words!
~puts bum into gear~
Good Luck!
I’m terrible at this, but I’ll give it a go.
Vindicate Mercy/Mercy Vindicated
Mercy Atoned
Compensating Mercy
Mercy Penance
OK, that’s awful. Just ignore me…
Part of the problem is I hope who wins has a good name for a book!
Traci H. is really good at this!
Hmmmmmm
Providing Mercy
Taking Mercy
Tender Mercy
Showing Mercy
Show Mercy
Have Mercy
Mercy Please
Learning or Learn Mercy
Good luck sweetie you amaze me!!
Mercy Takes a Holiday
Good luck!
Oh well everybody has their most amazing titles, so I am going in with my few suggestions. How about
Bitter Mercy
Mercy Forgotten
Mercy in Ashes
Hi Toni
I’m glad you’re all insulated now.
I hope you are feeling back to 100%.
Yay for NaNo!
Redemption and Mercy
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
In Need of Mercy
Understanding Mercy
Mercy Mine
Mercy Show To Me
Bearing Mercy
Strained Mercy
Mercy No More
No More Mercy
Mercy and Compassion
Nature Has No Mercy
Too Much Mercy
Nothing of Mercy
Infinite Mercy
Deserve No Mercy
Act of Mercy
Justice and Mercy
Mercy, Pity, Peace
Great Mercy
Plenty of Mercy
Grace and Mercy
Love and Mercy
At the Mercy of
Plead for Mercy
Mercy’s Victim
Mercy Shall Protect
Peace and Mercy
Hmm, some very good suggestions, and I didn’t see it so how about
At the Mercy of (name of Character)
(Name of Character’s)Tender Mercy
Grateful for Mercy
Craving Mercy
Seeking Mercy
Begging for Mercy
And the best one I’ll have to email because of possible spoiler.
Now get back to work and finish the first book – shattering noises be damned.
Hopefully all the work will be done soon and you can get back to peace and quiet!
Mercy Undone
That is my suggestion. Good luck!
Bereft of Mercy
Mercy Abandoned
Abandoned by Mercy
No Mercy
Those are my suggestions. I hope you find a title you like that everyone can agree on!
I know I’ve already done this..but this I’m at work and this is the only thing that has been entertaining me today, haha.
*Foresaking Mercy
*Betrayed by Mercy
*Beyond Mercy
*Creating Mercy
*Realizing Mercy
*Hunting Mercy
Hopefully, “on the lake” will no longer translate as “drafty” once the insulators are done!
Here’s my suggestion:
At Her Mercy/At My Mercy
Happy writing!
- Dangerous Mercy
- Die for Mercy
Faith and Mercy
Wow, what a great list. I finally broke through writer’s block thanks to getting the wheels going here. I don’t know if these were taken. I tried to read through them but…
Remember Mercy
Mercy on Heels
Mercy’s Bounds
Hell of Mercy
Rebound Mercy
Mercy’s Abyss
Mercy Validated…
You will have Mercy books coming out your ears now!! These titles are giving me ideas LMAO
Mercy’s Cover
Cover of Mercy
Rockin’ Mercy
Without Mercy’s Touch
Looking for Mercy
Mercy Redeemed
not sure what happened at the end there. I’ve had trouble with my browser all day… those last ones were from one i scrolled over earlier…
Deliverance in the shadows of Mercy
Atonement in the shadow of Mercy
Purification at the hand of Mercy
Salvation at the hand of Mercy
Inspired by Mercy
Sorry if any of these have been mentioned before:
Show No Mercy
Have No Mercy
In the Absence of Mercy
At Her Mercy
Sinful Mercy
Bringer of Mercy
Mercy Witheld
Act of Mercy
Everlasting Mercy
Good luck! xxxx
I spend WAY too much time on figuring out a title, but here goes, what about
Love, Honour and Mercy
Saving Mer0cy
Have No Mercy
Ok…one more. How about Shades of Mercy?
Obsessed Mercy
Devoted Mercy
Mercy’s Way.
Show No Mercy, Take No Mercy.
Mercy Business.
Previous posters have given you a plethora of choices already, but because I hope I’ll get a similar embarrassment of riches when I need it, I’m adding to the mix:
Instead of Mercy
No Mercy But Redemption
Seeing Mercy
Facing Mercy
Following Mercy
Where there’s Mercy, there’s Peace.
Where Mercy goes, Renewal(or Salvation) follows.
Latent Mercy
Last Mercy
Fierce Mercy
Cruel Mercy
Redeeming Mercy
Waiting for Mercy.
I know, it’s not that great. But I tried.
Love all the suggestions!
How about:
Mercy Strained
Mercy’s Touch
A Breath of Mercy
Mercy Buckets. ((kidding! Buy I just had to say it))
Mercy Burns
Burning Mercy
Shining Mercy
Mercy Shines