The last thing I do to stories or books is title them. I usually give them a placeholder title until I am done, something simple that will remind me what the story is about. When it comes time to name the baby, however, I almost always think, "Damn. What am I going to call this thing?"
Titling is hard for me. I tend to come up with cute, clever titles that are too cute and clever and must be chucked.
So you would think I might not be surprised when my editor informed me that there was some reservation about my novel's title THE WORLD V. NATALIE GOLDBERG.
Surprised? No. Upset? Hell, yes!
It took me I don't know how long to invent that title and it has grown on me. To me, it connotes successfully that the protagonist is a lawyer, and that she feels the world is prosecuting her. It gives you her name and it seems a bit bold. More daring than I tend to be in titles.
A few individuals at the publishing company think people might find the "v" confusing, inasmuch as they won't understand that it refers to law cases. As my roommate Amy said, "You don't want stupid people reading your book, do you?" Buying, sure. Reading, no. Ha. Hmm.
So, what do you think? Confusing? Too many words?
Have any alternatives? I have entertained a few but none are as good as the original I fear.
So: the story is set in Georgia. It follows a very new-to-her-job prosecuting attorney who has fled Manhattan to find herself a conspicuous outsider in a pro-death penalty place assisting on her first murder trial. Her life is upside down. What would you call it? Oh, and her name is Natalie, in case that was less than obvious.
Any intrepid soul who sends me a title I adore will get an undetermined prize of my choosing. How is that for incentive?