Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Novel Synopsis

This is topic Novel Synopsis in forum Fragments and Feedback for Books at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Jennywinnie (Member # 8510) on :

So I just wanted run this idea by you guys to see what you think. I've actually already written a lot of the climax but have just now solidified the first Act, and need to see if it sounds like a good solid build up to something bigger. Also, I've gone through so many titles it's ridiculous, so I thought you guys could tell me which ones you like best. This is a sci-fi fantasy. The first Act is on earth, but then she basically goes about and has adventures on another world called Urna.

"Alexis is an Archeologist and a dreamer. She can see the world though the eyes of ancient people. Of course this is a very helpful skill for an archeologist to have. That is, until the Mailus, an object she took to be part of her over-active imagination, shows up on the ground next to her car. Is she crazy? Or can it really take her to other planets? How is it's 'magic' possible? Slowly, her dreams begin to show her a universe very different to the one she's been accustomed to. They also offer her the opportunity of a lifetime."

She finds out she's the "holder" of this object and has been seeing into it's memories. Cailun the "holder" from Urna comes to find help because his Mailus is being attacked by the Cremling. Also being a 'dreamer' is a rare gift, even among the worlds rich in 'magic' or plasma energy converted for use by ancient technology.

Here are the title choices:

Mailus Bound (my current choice - but I don't love it)
Mailus Bond
Dreamer of Mailus
The Dreams of Mailus
Mailus Dreamer
A Dreamer for Urna
Request of Urna
Mailus Sight
Holders of Urna
Holder of Earth
Holders of Mailus
Mailus Call
Call of Mailus
Dream Holder
Dream Catcher (Has anyone already used that?)

Any other ideas? Thanks guys.

[This message has been edited by Jennywinnie (edited December 29, 2010).]

Posted by anaalongi (Member # 9340) on :

Hello Jenny:

I like "Holders of Urna".

Ana

Posted by RSHACK (Member # 9346) on :

Holders of Urna is my favorite of those.: )

Posted by redux (Member # 9277) on :

I really like your story idea.

Regarding titles:
Dreamcatcher is the title of a Stephen King novel.

From your list, my favorite 2 titles are "Holders of Urna" and "A Dreamer for Urna."

[This message has been edited by redux (edited December 29, 2010).]

Posted by PB&Jenny (Member # 9200) on :

Having read some of your story, I like Mailus Dreamer.

Posted by lostdog (Member # 9343) on :

From your synopsis, Mailus Dreamer seems to hold what the story is about, so it brings this reader in. It tells me something about the story so it works as a set up.

Some of the other titles are pretty, but it is valuable to look where a title points the reader towards the story or away from it.

Sometimes a poetic title can be very tempting to use, but again, the more important consideration is:

Does it hold the story or point towards it?
or
Does it confuse the reader or point away from the story?

Also:

How long will {insert title* take to make sense to the reader?
If they can be engaged by the title and understand it from the back blurb or short synopsis, good chance it's a good title.