Creating a Romantic Title

I’ve always been a sucker for a romantic title. Linda Banche’s LADY OF THE STARS makes me feel all starry-eyed and swoony-romantic inside.

Romance novels titles have always been a source of sweet pleasure for me. And, of course, if the title got me, back in the good ole days, especially the 80s, I would read the blurb, or whatever was on the back of the cover, then decide if I wanted to read a few pages. If I liked what I read, then I bought the book. Actually, I would also read whatever romance novels my sis sent my way. She did big time buying and, also, trading at a used bookstore.

In titling my own erotic romance novels it’s been magical, at times. There it is, the title. Or enough of it that I could easily pull it from my Muse. ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE is an example. At other times, either my Muse was on strike, or I just wasn’t listening well enough... or, who knows? The creative process is mysterious at best... sometimes.

One title I had dickens of a time with was RED LIONESS TAMED. I had originally titled the novella with the heroine’s name, Sun Rocket Kahoqua of the Windgrass Clan. Okay, that was too long for Liquid Silver Books. And, that turned out to be a good thing. Tina Burns, the acquisition editor at that time, suggested Lioness Tamed. Good, but it didn’t quite have that special panache-bang that appeals to me, as a writer and a reader.

So, during my twilight time, between sleeping and waking up, there it was, repeating over and over in my mind... Red Lioness Tamed... perfect because my heroine’s lioness coat is red in color, and because that title sang inside me.

Recently, I finished a short story, about 5,000 words. It’s been submitted for an anthology call. The idea for this particular erotic romance came to me before I knew about the anthology. The working title was Weightless and Wanted.

I had recalled that opening scene in the campy, sci fi B movie, BARBARELLA... where Jane Fonda peacefully floats inside a weightless environment. My story evolved from there and from research I did on weightlessness. I mean, hey, what is it like to make love while floating weightless?

It’s the old ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW... if you’re from my generation you’ll recall that popular saying.

Yep, ever the curious cat, and because my heroine and hero began nagging me non-stop, and because the challenge of writing this story GOT ME in its claws... well, I yielded. However, I was never satisfied with the working title.

Yeah, it conveyed my story. But! It wasn’t romantic enough for my sensibilities. Not by a long shot. And being a devout romantic at heart, I had to do better.

So, after days of pondering, typing out various titles and generally tugging at my brain cells, finally the title arrived. Ta-da! WEIGHTLESS INSIDE HIS WINGS.

And here’s a blurb-summary ~

Striker of the Kalluv Windworld is a warrioress for her people. An adept at protecting herself from every known method of mind control, her missions take her across the galaxy to search out and stop those who enslave other races. Her last memory is hunkering down during a sandstorm. Now she finds herself floating inside an anti-grav sphere.

Dhray Zorr of the Vjemic Realm is a warrior on his planet-world. His kind, a hawk-panther shapeshifter, has been genetically designed to battle for freedom, then to hold it against would-be tyrants. However, there are few suitable mates on his world, and the population is declining rapidly. Now, he must face one more duty. He is called upon to take an alien woman as his mate.
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So, what are some of your favorite romance novel titles?
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HAPPILY EVER AFTER AUTUMN DAYS ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~