Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

okay we all know I didn't write anything this week with the production and we all know it's Nov. first so it's NANO time.

My novel, as mentioned previous is a steampunk mystery. You've met the characters as well. To sum up: Placid Longstaff, he of the embarrassing moniker. Placid and his younger brother, Julian, grew up with an abusive drunk for a father. Placid escaped early into the military and was on the big airships where he lost his leg in the war and has a prosthesis (these guys are medically advanced but lagging a little in other areas to give it that turn of the century feel (the 1800-1900 hundreds turn obviously).

He's now a detective new to the force in Mount Oliver where his brother and their childhood friend, Melantha Honeycutt live but he hasn't gotten in touch with them. Placid is dealing with PTSD (will be going with shellshock and battle fatigue as the terms for it) as well as body dysmorphism due to his metal leg. He is completely withdrawn and would have remained so until his now-sober father tries to get back into his life and is murdered.

Julian Longstaff never really provoked his father's rages, stayed at home longer and ended up in university to become a chemist. His specialty is making perfumes and perfumed soaps. He's become well known in the fashion world and is making a mint. He's the sensitive type.

And the third main character, Melantha. She's something of a feminist but not militantly so (the sufferagette movement was in her granny's time) She is a neurografter, someone who makes the movable prosthetics and attaches them. The war has also made her rich. She and Julian are neighbors by design.

The murder of Declan Longstaff brings them all back together in a maelstrom of emotion especially hefty doses of angst and rediscovered love as the killer starts eliminating people who are close to Placid.

So with that in mind (and let me know what you think of it) I need a working title. I suck at them. Here's my tenative working title list. Have a vote. I need something to call it this month besides that damn steampunk


[Poll #1479379]


and if you're at nano and want to friend me there, I'm DocDana. I don't know that I CAN get onto nano from home (i couldn't earlier in the week) and I don't chat at you much but feel free.

Comments

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Torn Sky. Torn Sky!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

its jumping out to an early lead

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[enemytosleep]

I suck at titles too, but I clicked Beneath a Torn Sky because it sounds appropriately angsty and it comes back to the airships and war where he lost his leg and gained his PTSD.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

that was my exact thought for it too ( stole it from a Tori Amos title Beneath a Prygthrian Sky)

[rahirah]

The thing is, none of these really say "steampunk murder mystery" to me. Maybe if you worked death into the title somehow?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i could try. though mysteries lately have been moving away from death in the title unless you're doing the silly pun crap. Such as the last one i just finished the sweetness at the bottom of the pie (which was fun)

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

My titling skills reek. I'm going with "The Magic Within" for right now...

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

mine reek too but i think the poll has spoken

[chaos-by-design.livejournal.com]

Was this steampunk 'verse inspired by FMA? I was just wondering since Melantha's occupation reminds me of what Winry does.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

in part yes, in part my own fascination with prosthesis since I had to do so very many amputations in my practice

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

Well, it seems I'm with the majority for once!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

hahaha I know that feeling