Successful Strategy To Title Your Debut Novel

Acclaimed author Meredith Cagen explains how her debut novel, Size Eight in a Size Zero World was titled. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) October 06, 2010 - When I was younger, I had a relationship that broke my heart. Adverbs, adjectives and accolades did not do him justice. He was the perfect man. No matter how many times he showed his true colors, I was steadfast in my belief that he was perfect. I languished in my illusion (actually delusion) of his perfection. I was in love.

I didn't know what to do. There was no expert who could guide me. No published Q & A pertinent for my situation. I searched for a plan, a guidebook, and a path to success: how I can get the storybook ending with Mr. Perfect.

Every "what not to do while dating" offense a girl can make, I embarrassingly did. I was available to him. I telephoned him. I was the one who initiated contact, demonstrating my interest as if he had doubts. Running to see him when he beckoned, accepting his last minute dates and last minute cancellations. Worse, I accepted his lies, I had no self respect. I threw myself at him. I was insane! Where were my friends when I obviously needed them? An intervention was required but no one restrained me.

Unwilling to consider the possibility of his rejection, I changed myself to meet his requirements.

Yes, Mr. Perfect had criteria. His personal preference was models, blonde and skinny. His office walls were covered with photographs of Mr. Perfect with his choice of arm candy. It was a shrine to his ability to attract these trophy girlfriends. A medium height, curvy size eight brunette (me) didn't seem to be a worthy enough prize for a man of with his considerable talents.

I tried my best to meet his standards. I dieted, exercised, groomed, and ingratiated myself into his social universe. I attempted to succeed with this game plan. But I committed the biggest sin a girl can. A don't so whopping that I am banned from giving advice forever. The mistake is so huge, there is no known recovery. This dating felony pains me even now, years later. I told him, I was in love with him.

What was wrong with me? The girl police should have come and thrown me directly into jail or a padded cell on the spot. No trial or psych evaluation was necessary.

Crimes Charged: Extreme Stupidity and whatever else is beyond.
Verdict: Guilty.
Sentence: Rejection by Mr. Perfect.

My idiocy haunted me for years. If only I had a second chance. What could (coulda, woulda, shoulda) I have done differently while staying true to myself. In my fantasies, I would still be me, but smarter. What was I thinking during this dark period of being in love? How did I permit myself to act like a fool?

One day, I looked back at my past actions, those silly schemes, attempts at change, and idealistic belief that if I loved him with a pure heart, he would love me back. I started to laugh. It was funny, very funny. Telling this story would be my second chance and shot at redemption

Reality hit me as I lay pen to paper, Mr. Perfect was my upstairs neighbor, he was The Man Upstairs. That was the original title for my book, 'The Man Upstairs,' but people thought it was a book about religion.

To this day, I am uncertain what was going through my pathetic naive head during that shadowy time. Maybe I wasn't thinking properly? There are theories that postulate love affects (and obviously impairs) your cognitive thought processes. Can I blame "being in love" for my lack of judgment. Next title was 'What Was I Thinking?' but people thought that was a self-help book.

My healthy curvy body (thin not emaciated), did not fit into his model sized world. I wasn't who he wanted, whatever my size. Paroled from my romantic stupidity I realized that the intellectual/emotional connection was not mutual. It is what is on your insides that counts. It's a cliché but true. The older I get, it's my sense of humor that gets me through the days and the nights. I love when someone makes me laugh, even if it's me! I am a Size Eight in a Size Zero World.

Meredith Cagen is available to discuss how to title a book, her book, and all things literary. mcagen ( @ ) gmail dot com

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