by Diana Murray
My 13-year-old daughter must be an imposter. That’s the only explanation for her neatness and love of cleaning. How could she possibly be my offspring?
I sure wish I had some of her tidying tendencies. But even though I’m very messy (GRIMELDA THE VERY MESSY WITCH is basically my autobiography), I do like to keep things in categories. Categories are important. Categories keep the chaos contained. My messy piles of papers are sorted by categories.
And my bookshelf is organized in categories like this:
- Humorous picture books
- Lyrical picture books
- Non-fiction picture books
- Early readers
- Chapter books
- Board books
- Novelty, game and joke books
- Signed books (can’t mix these treasures in with everything else!)
So you might imagine my horror, when my well-meaning, impressively talented and patient daughter began to rearrange my bookshelf…by color! *gasp*
Yes, it looked beautiful and Instagram-worthy. But I could not find anything! After all, I would never think to myself, Hmmm, I could really go for a “blue” book right about now.
Anyway, the point is, I like categories. One reason I like writing in rhyming metrical verse is that there is a lot of built-in structure. I find it comforting when compared to the cavernous open spaces of free verse and prose.
I sometimes feel the same way about inspiration. Although inspiration can come from many places, starting with something as simple as a title, at least for me, is a little less overwhelming than “sky’s the limit”. When I wrote SOMEDAY, MAYBE (illustrated by Jessica Gibson, Holt/Macmillan, March 2023), I began with the title. While stirring up ideas one day, I gave myself the task of coming up with a phrase that would begin a sentence. I imagined it would be a phrase that would repeat throughout the book. I mucked around with a list of different options and didn’t really love anything. But I kept coming back to that file anytime I was looking for inspiration for a new project. About a year or two later, something struck me about “Someday, maybe…”. I guess I just had to be in the right mood to be “feeling” it. I began to write “Someday, maybe cars will fly.” Finally, I liked the direction it was going in! I’ve always been a sci-fi fan so the rest of the manuscript sort of rolled out after that.
Back to categories. Have you ever noticed that there are different kinds of titles? I recently saw a fun post on Twitter called “Title Tryouts” (by Nancy Sanders, via @BrittanyPomales, via @jencowanwriter). I started thinking more about titles and decided to try to nail some down. You will notice that some of the categories overlap. Also, it’s important to remember that even though the title can be a starting point for inspiration, that doesn’t mean that you’re forcing it up. You just write down the title and then you see if it sparks something. The passion will come from a memory or an association. The title is just the jumping off point.
Remember how I mentioned the “novelty, jokes and games” section on my bookshelf? Well, sitting on that shelf is a small collection of Mad Libs. I used to love doing those as a kid and I continue to enjoy them. All you have to do is fill in the blanks, and voila! You can surprise yourself with your own unique story. The following exercise is a bit like a titles-only Mad Libs. For added inspiration, I’m also including examples of published books from me, Tara, and others.
Types of Titles
[fill in the blanks to make your own]
The Meta title:
a. The [_______] Book
b. This Book is [______]
Published Examples: I Thought This Was a Bear Book (by Tara); The Book of Rules; The Quiet Book; The Monster at the End of This Book; Don’t Push the Button; This Book Just Ate My Dog!; What Would You Do in a Book About You?; Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)
The Negation Title:
a. Don’t [_____]!
b. Never [verb] a [noun]!
c. No More [plural noun]!
Published Examples: Nope!; No, David!; You Don’t Want a Unicorn; It’s Not Hansel and Gretel; If You Ever Want To Bring a Piano to the Beach, DON’T!; I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato; I Don’t Want to Be a Frog!; I Dare You Not to Yawn; Hey, You’re Not Santa!; I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!; No Nibbling!; Not a Box
The Celebratory Title:
a. “Hooray for [_____]!”
b. “[______] Party!”
c. “Let’s go [____]!”
Published Examples: Unicorn Day and Mermaid Day (by me); Rah, Rah, Radishes!; Hooray for Hat!; The Great Big Poop Party; Where’s the Party?; Go, Girls, Go!
The One Word Title (often with an exclamation point):
a. [plural noun]!
b. [action verb]!
c. [adjective]!
d. [quiet word]
Published Examples: Bloop (by Tara); Nope!; Ducks!; Dude!; Square; Brave! Found; Stuck; Kaleidoscope
The Lyrical Musing Title (which often repeats throughout the book):
a. When You [verb]
b. Tomorrow is [____]
c. Once Upon a [____]
d. On a [adjective] Day
e. If I Had a [noun]
Published Examples: Someday, Maybe (by me); I Wish You More; This Could Be You!; Wherever You Go; The Wonderful Things You Will Be; On The Night You Were Born; Once Upon Another Time; My Love For You; Whatever Comes Tomorrow
The Question or Instruction Title
a. How to [verb] a [noun]
b. Where’s My [noun]?
c. Can You [verb] a [noun]?
d. Who Do You [verb]?
Published Examples: Help Mom Work From Home! (by me); What Do You Do With an Idea?; Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus; How to Catch a Unicorn; How to Meet a Mermaid; Where’s the Party? Where’s My Butt?; Where is My Balloon?; How to Babysit a Grandma
The Popular Song or Fairytale with a Twist Title
a. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little [noun]
b. Hush Little [noun]
c. Rock-a-bye [noun]
d. Old MacDonald had a [noun]
e. The Three Little [plural noun]
Published Examples: Little Red Gliding Hood (by Tara); Mary Had a Little Glam; Cock-a-doodle-OOPS!; There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight; Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car; Moldylocks and the Three Scares; It’s Not the Three Little Pigs; The Three Ninja Pigs; Hush, Little Monster; It’s Raining Bats and Frogs
The Unexpected or Opposite Word Pairing Title
a. [adjective], [opposite adjective]!
b. I Love [unpleasant plural noun]!
Published Examples: Love Stinks! (by me); Yummy Yucky; Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!; Duck, Duck, Moose; Z Is for Moose; P is for Pterodactyl; Digestion the Musical; Good Night Baddies; Creepy Carrots; Mushroom Rain; Bad Apple’s Perfect Day; The Obstinate Pen; The Crab Ballet; I Got a Chicken for my Birthday; Animals in Pants; Vegetables in Underwear; Goodnight, Veggies (by me)
The Rhyming Title
a. [noun] in a [noun]!
b. [adjective] [noun that rhymes]
Published Examples: Doris the Bookasaurus (by me); Don’t Be Silly Miss Millie!; Sheep in a Jeep; The Cat in the Hat; Fancy Nancy; Here’s What you Do When You Can’t Find Your Shoe; How To Train Your Pet Brain; Wordy Birdy; Green as a Bean
The Alliterative Title
a. [adjective] [noun beginning with same letter]
b. [any holiday][noun beginning with same letter]
Published Examples: Sleepy Snuggles (by me); Creepy Carrots; Horton Hears a Who; Bee-Bim Bop!; Penguin and Pinecone; Battle of the Butts; The Bold, Brave Bunny; Sam’s Super Seats; Jabari Jumps; Larry’s Latkes; Normal Norman (by Tara)
The Onomatopoeia Title
a. [sound], [sound], [sound]!
b. [sound]!
c. [sound]?
d. The [sound adjective] [noun]
Published Examples: Boo! Hiss!; Bump in the Night!; Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type; Eek, You Reek!; Splish, Splash, Splat!
The Silly, Nonsense or Made-up Word Title
a. [made up word]
b. [silly/unique proper name]
Published Examples: The Thingity-Jig; Hogwash!; Nerp!; Du Iz Tak? Best Frints in the Whole Universe; My Name is Wakawakaloch; The Red Ear Blows Its Nose
The Character Title
a. [character name] the [adjective] [noun]
b. [adjective][rhyming name]
Published Examples: Bloop (by Tara); Ned the Knitting Pirate (by me); Grimelda the Very Messy Witch (by me); Doris the Bookasaurus (by me); Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast; Tiny T-Rex and the Impossible Hug; Henny; Fancy Nancy; Crankenstein; Stellaluna; The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend; Oona; Warren and Dragon; A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken; Groggle’s Monster Valentine (by me)
The Counting or Quantifying Title
a. One [adjective] [noun]
b. Too Many [plural noun]!
c. Ten Little [plural noun]
d. Too [adjective]!
Published Examples: Double the Dinosaurs (by me); One Snowy Day (by me); Five Fuzzy Chicks (by me); Dozens of Doughnuts; Millions of Cats; Counting Kisses; One Hundred Shoes; One Big Pair of Underwear
The Clever Wordplay or Pun Title
a. [literally any pun]
Published Examples: 7 Ate 9 (by Tara); The Monstore (by Tara), Happy Llamakkah!: A Hanukkah Story; Wondering Around; Pirasaurs; Hey, Hey, Hay!; The Friend Ship; Nerdycorn; Not Yeti; Kung Pow Chicken; Un-BEE-lievables; Shampoodle; Mice Skating; Brainstorm!
This is far from an exhaustive list. And as I mentioned, there is A LOT of crossover between the groups. Why not a #6 (question) #8 (unexpected) and #9 (rhyming) combo, for example: “How Do You Hug a Bug?” Or perhaps you’re tempted to get in touch with your inner 8-year-old and fill in “butt” or “burp” for all the blanks. Well guess what? I didn’t add it here, but there could honestly be a whole category just for titles that feature butts, burps, poop, underwear and farts! So go right ahead.
Are there any other categories you would add? Have I missed any of your favorite books? I’m sure I’ve left out some of my own and I’ll be kicking myself later. But hopefully, filling in these blanks and perusing the other existing titles will give your inspiration a jolt! Have fun! And feel free to use this as an excuse to procrastinate on your cleaning chores. I know I will!
Diana Murray is the author of over twenty books for children, including the bestselling UNICORN DAY series, an ILA/CBC Children’s Choice Book, a 2019 Goodreads Choice Finalist, and 2022 Amazon Best Book of the Year (UNICORN NIGHT board book edition). Some of her recent and forthcoming titles include LOVE STINKS! (Step-into-Reading/Random House), SOMEDAY, MAYBE (Holt/Macmillan), FIREHOUSE RAINBOW (Little Golden Books), and MERMAID DAY (Sourcebooks). She grew up in New York City and still lives nearby with her husband, two children, and a dancing dog. Visit her at DianaMurray.com and follow her on Twitter @DianaMWrites.
Diana is giving away a picture book critique.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2023 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post. ↓
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
764 comments
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January 13, 2023 at 8:09 am
Joy Moore
Wonderful ideas to get me going!
January 13, 2023 at 8:14 am
Lauren Barbieri
Thank you for sharing this fun approach!
January 13, 2023 at 8:14 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
Holy cannoli! So many great title starters Dianna. Thank you so much for your sage advice. And I can relate to the need to write in rhyme.
January 13, 2023 at 8:15 am
margaretsmn
Who knew there were so many different ways to create a title? A good title is an inspiring jumping off place. Thanks for all the ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 8:16 am
kiwijenny
You deserve a title. Princess of Rhyme. I teach 4’s. Your Ned the Knitting Pirate got a little darling girl to stop crying which she did every day. She even said, “I stopped crying.” Laughter is the best. Thank you from the bottom and top of my heart.
January 13, 2023 at 8:45 am
Diana Murray
Awwwwwww! Thank you so much for sharing that story! That makes my day! 🙂 ❤
January 13, 2023 at 8:19 am
Andrea Mack
Wow! I love this list! What a great way to play with ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 8:20 am
Karen
Wow! Loved all the title inspiration. Thank you for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 8:21 am
Leah Marks
You inspire me. Titles set the mood for the story and stir up curiosity for what the book is about. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 8:21 am
Mark Bentz
Thank you, Diana for filling this post up with lots of great information! Congratulations on all of your books. Looking forward to reading them.
Mark
January 13, 2023 at 8:23 am
thecrowsmap
Diana, Unicorn Day is one of my granddaughter’s favorite books. I worked in a school library. Your daughter’s method of categorizing books would have been helpful. More than one third grader asked for “the red book,” or “that brown book” when they couldn’t remember the title. Thanks for a fun activity—it will keep me busy for a long time:)
Gail Hartman
January 13, 2023 at 8:47 am
Diana Murray
Hahaha! That’s so funny! I never thought of it that way. 🙂 Happy to hear your granddaughter enjoys Unicorn Day!
January 13, 2023 at 8:24 am
R.L.S. Hoff
So many things to try! Really enjoyed this one.
January 13, 2023 at 8:25 am
gayleckrause
My goodness, Diana. Your post is whole writing class in itself. Thanks for the inspiration and the information. 😉
January 13, 2023 at 8:48 am
Diana Murray
Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
January 13, 2023 at 8:28 am
Russell Wolff
This set of title categories and examples is amazing! I often work from a title that strikes me, so this makes my brain happy and gives it a good perch to storm from. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 8:28 am
Becca McMurdie
These are SO GOOD!!! Wow!!! 🤩🤩🤩 Thank you, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 8:29 am
Kelly Hibbert
Holy snapdragons! My brain works in the exact same way. So heartening to read about your process Diana. Thanks so much for validating the method in my madness.
January 13, 2023 at 8:29 am
Writer on the run
Wow,Diana! This rocked my mind- what great inspiration for title starters! Congratulations on your books!
January 13, 2023 at 8:29 am
michelemeleen
This might be the best iteration of Mad Libs I’ve ever seen!
January 13, 2023 at 8:30 am
Kelly Jaques
Super fun post, Diana, thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 8:30 am
sburdorf
What great ideas are here on how to organize a title! It is so important to catch the reader’s imagination with the inside of the book, but the title is how you encourage a reader to even look at the book. Thank you. Have a great day.
January 13, 2023 at 8:30 am
Sharon Giltrow
Love these categories. And my picture books fit into the how to category which has given me the idea for four books. I’m going to try some of the other categories next.
January 13, 2023 at 8:30 am
Elise Teichert
I have a book title that is an example of your unexpected or opposite word pairing title. Gosh, if I had the great fortune of having a book critique with you I would love to share that book with you. Thank you for participating in Story Storm!!
January 13, 2023 at 8:32 am
Rosanna Montanaro
Thank you for the post today, Tara and Diana! Love it-this will be so much fun. Congratulations on your wonderful books, Diana, and thank you very much for this inspiration! Rosanna Montanaro
January 13, 2023 at 8:33 am
ramonapersaudwrites
I totally felt your pain when you talked about your daughter organizing your bookshelf. Yikes. I love the idea of categorizing. Now to see if I can find any patterns emerging for me, with Storystorm thus far.
January 13, 2023 at 8:34 am
lynjekowsky
I’m also a categorizer. Thanks so much for these categories and titles. I already have a few ideas.
January 13, 2023 at 8:35 am
readmybook2002
As you say, titles bring about the “What if?” in the creation of a story. Thank you for sharing your process. Books arranged by color only work if you are not color blind. Your daughter must have an artistic mind, and color over content.
January 13, 2023 at 8:36 am
asiqueira1307
Yes, maybe I just get some titles in my head. I have had one for two years with no story yet. I think one category is the ones with If… If You Want to take Your Alligator to School, Don’t and my If Your Babysitter is a Bruja. Thanks. Now, I have to go organize my shelf.
January 13, 2023 at 8:54 am
Diana Murray
“If” is a good one!!
January 13, 2023 at 8:37 am
Reed Hilton-Eddy
So many title combos! Love a fun mad-lib.
Thanks
January 13, 2023 at 8:38 am
Eileen Saunders
Thanks for the list of ideas.
January 13, 2023 at 8:39 am
Jany Campana
I’m inspired to write a Blue Title!!!
January 13, 2023 at 8:40 am
Liz Kehrli
What a fun list- a great title surely makes a huge difference!
January 13, 2023 at 8:41 am
pathaap
I love this idea, Diana! I will definitely be trying this out. Thanks for much.
January 13, 2023 at 8:41 am
Kathryn LeRoy
Amazingly creative and insightful. Sometimes, you just need a brain boost!
January 13, 2023 at 8:42 am
Bevin Rolfs Spencer
Thanks for list with title ideas. It is usually a good jumping off point and I often come up with a title phrase as a starting point. Appreciate the list!
January 13, 2023 at 8:42 am
Carrie McCullough
Such great ideas for starting a story! Can’t wait to try them out!
January 13, 2023 at 8:43 am
janet_christensen@msn.com
I love this! Thank you for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 8:43 am
Heather Skinner
I love everything about this post!!! My daughter and I rearranged her books by color last week, too! And mad libs are something our family enjoys to do together all the time! I’m feeling so excited to go and apply mad lib fun to title and idea making today!!! Thank you so much! Happy Writing, everyone!
January 13, 2023 at 8:43 am
rosecappelli
I jotted down two ideas while reading this post! Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 8:47 am
leslieevatayloe
This is great. I printed a copy! Best wishes in 2023.
January 13, 2023 at 8:47 am
Janice Woods
Wow! Great ideas.Thanks so much for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 8:47 am
tinamcho
Fabulous list of title strategies, Diana. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 8:50 am
julietclarebell
What a brilliant post. I am really looking forward to giving myself permission to play around for an hour or so later today and tomorrow with each of your categories… And as for the messiness, I get it (and way before I realised I had ADHD, I wrote a rhyming manuscript called Scatterbrained Kate… (which never got published and I can see why, years later!) which was essentially an autobiography, too! And my middle daughter suggested just last week that I rearrange all my books into colour order! Thanks and happy writing! x
January 13, 2023 at 8:53 am
Jen Lynn Bailey
Not only is this great inspiration, it also helps with generating title ideas for existing manuscripts! Thank you.
January 13, 2023 at 8:53 am
maureenegan
Wow, Diana, that’s some awesome organization! Thank you for all the inspo!
January 13, 2023 at 8:54 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
I love the way you think, Diana. Thanks for sharing these ideas. They will definitely serve as a spark!
January 13, 2023 at 8:55 am
Deborah Agranat Sullivan
Such an inspiring (and thorough!) post, Diana! (For what it’s worth, I don’t think your 13 year old’s tendencies are random…I’d put categorizing, neatness and cleaning in the same bucket – or at least in the same room.) Great stuff – thanks for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 8:55 am
maureenegan
Wow, Diana, that’s some awesome organization! Thank you for the inspo!
January 13, 2023 at 8:55 am
Betsy Lehan
Wow! This is such a great way to jump start the creative process when that dreaded writer’s block occurs. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 8:55 am
Toni Miller
A post on the 13th that opens with a 13 year-old? Seems like a double negative language rule should be applied here, making the advice, and the number, extra special lucky! Thanks Diana for the inspiration – and education –re: titles and their categories.
January 13, 2023 at 9:16 am
Diana Murray
Plus, 13 is actually my lucky number! So it was a funny coincidence that I got that day. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Toni Miller
Does Coincidence = Luck + Fate? Maybe… This much I know for sure: I’ve been buzzing w/new title possibilities all day!
January 13, 2023 at 8:58 am
Sheri Dillard
Oh my goodness, what a helpful post! Thanks, Diana! 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 8:58 am
anchance
Great ideas! I love categories and making lists, so this assignment should be fun. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
Kelley Smith
This post was so incredibly helpful! Thank you!!!!
January 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
Lynn McCracken
What fun, Diana! I look forward to playing around with your brilliant ideas.
January 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
Melissa Rafson Friedman
Great suggestions to start with title ideas. Also I categorize my picture book library by topic:winter, fall, rhyming, food, fairytale, etc.
January 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
Emily Gilliam
Ooooh, this is a GOOD one!
January 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
kerisagreene
So much fun, love the idea of starting with a title!
January 13, 2023 at 9:00 am
Sandra Wilson
I love starting with a title. Sometimes when I title one of my paintings that inspires a story too!
January 13, 2023 at 9:01 am
anchance
Great ideas! I love categories and making lists, so this assignment should be fun! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:02 am
Ryann Jones
This post is amazing! Thank you so much! I know a lot of time and research goes into finding all those titles. Thank you for sharing and for participating!
January 13, 2023 at 9:03 am
Martha Hollenhorst
Sometimes you have to choose between procrastinating doing cleaning or procrastinating working on an artistic project. Thanks for letting me do something productive while procrastinating both! That was a helpful exercise.
January 13, 2023 at 9:04 am
https://katiewalsh.blog/
Wow! So many ways to come up with an idea! Titles are always tricky, but this was a perfect post to get the ideas flowing. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:06 am
amyhouts
Diana, I’m going to print out your blog post and keep it in my reference file. Thanks for the practical information! So helpful!
January 13, 2023 at 9:06 am
jasmithwriter
I love generating fun titles! It’s one of my favorite ways to spark an idea. I’m going to try to come up with something for each one now.
January 13, 2023 at 9:06 am
ET Charles
Fabulous post.
January 15, 2023 at 2:26 pm
jilltatara
I love putting things into categories! I am very prone to disorganization, so anything to help with that is greatly appreciated. Thank you for this post!
January 13, 2023 at 9:06 am
Melissa Miles
Titles can be so hard! Thanks for this great tool. And sorting by color drives me insane, lol. Definitely couldn’t do it.
January 13, 2023 at 9:13 am
Wendy Kaveney
What a fun way to generate ideas! I always loved mad libs as a kid… thanks for the inspiration!
January 13, 2023 at 9:16 am
Lucretia Schafroth
Great post, Diana! Thanks for sharing your list of inspiring ideas for formulating fun titles to springboard story brainstorms!
January 13, 2023 at 9:21 am
kurtzmom548513
Titles are so important and I was amazed at all the different categories Diana came up with. I think using titles as a brainstorming and idea generating tool is excellent advice.I will definitely be checking out her books and playing with titles! Thanks for a great post!
January 13, 2023 at 9:23 am
bgonsar
That’s a lot of research for titles! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 10:50 am
Diana Murray
Funny enough, because I’ve read so many picture books, the titles were mainly just off the top of my head.
January 13, 2023 at 9:23 am
Suzy Grossman
Your ideas really tickled my brain!
January 13, 2023 at 9:24 am
Tara Cerven
I love these ideas and think I’ll take a trip to the library just to browse titles. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:24 am
Sallye O'Rourke
This is gold! I’m inspired…
January 13, 2023 at 9:31 am
Lynn Baldwin
As someone who really struggles with titles, I love the idea of trying to start with one. Thanks for the great ideas and examples, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 9:32 am
Jennifer
Thank you for this–what an energizing post! And informative. So happy to know someone else who loves Mad Libs! Your title categories are really helpful. When I write freelance articles, I also know I have the concept down for the piece when I nail the title. I haven’t quite gotten there with picture books yet, but hopefully that will come.
January 13, 2023 at 9:32 am
mlyablonaolcom
I love this! What a fun way to come up with titles. And now I have a whole new list of picture books to read 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 9:33 am
mona861
I’m totally unorganized. I may have to try being categorized! Thanks for sharing all your categories for titles. Story idea starters for sure!
January 13, 2023 at 9:38 am
Aimee Satterlee
This is one of those posts that I’ll probably come back to for years to come. Huge Mad Libs fan and these fill-in-the-blank starters will keep me busy and churning out titles for days! Thanks so much, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 9:40 am
Mary Warth
Thanks for the fun lists, Diana! Inspiration and play time all in one.
January 13, 2023 at 9:43 am
Candace Spizzirri
Oh my gosh, Diana, this post is wonderful! Two ideas popped into my head while I read. You rock!
January 13, 2023 at 9:44 am
Hollie Wolverton
I love thinking up titles! Can’t wait to get started filling in the blanks. May recruit my kiddo to help (but will likely end up with a lot of potty humor titles!) Thank you for this great post!
January 13, 2023 at 9:44 am
Sarah Skolfield
I love lists!!! Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 9:45 am
Cindy S
This was interesting. I never thought about titles like this. Thanks
January 13, 2023 at 9:45 am
Ilona Bray
Seriously never thought about categories of tiles. Thanks for reorganizing my brain! New inspiration to come, I hope…
January 13, 2023 at 9:45 am
Joan Kassmann
Thank you … I will revisit this post … a lot of possibilities here.
January 13, 2023 at 9:46 am
erinquill8
Great title ideas via Mad Libs fill in the blank options!
January 13, 2023 at 9:47 am
Krista Maxwell
I found this post very relatable. Thank you for the ideas and inspiration!
January 13, 2023 at 9:48 am
Juliana Jones
I’m with you on categorizing the books on the shelves according to age group! Titles are extremely important, and I thank you for your extensive help in sparking stories just by using a title.
January 13, 2023 at 9:50 am
mdk45
Diana, you have outdone yourself. I have to play with each kind. Two ideas from each would be 30 right there. This was incredible.
January 13, 2023 at 9:54 am
Joan Swanson
Oh so many ideas came to me while reading this, Thank you!!!
January 13, 2023 at 9:56 am
kellyclasenwriter
Wowza. That was super-helpful. I am always self-conscious about manuscript titles and struggle with making them “feel” like the story. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:57 am
Margaret Lea
Thanks! Sorry about the unfortunate bookshelf organizing. My girls don’t even seem to know how to put books on a shelf (laundry in hamper, trash in trash can…) much less organize anything!
January 13, 2023 at 9:57 am
Rachelle Burk
Another post I’m going to save! I started with a negation title (without an actual story idea) some years back: DON’T TURN THE PAGE! was ultimately published by Creston books in 2014.
Titles inspire!
January 13, 2023 at 9:58 am
Debbie Austin
This is so great! I’m the worst at titles so starting with one is sort of mind blowing. Thank you for all the categories to play with!
January 13, 2023 at 9:58 am
Midge Smith
Wow! Such a great post! Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 10:03 am
robincurrie1
WOW – what a fantastic sort! As a librarian I adore categories – hence the Dewey Decimal System! Thanks.
January 13, 2023 at 10:45 am
Diana Murray
Librarians are the best categorizers of all! 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 10:08 am
Kristy Roser Nuttall
You already have me brainstorming ideas!! Thank you so much for the incredibly useful list of title categories that we can play with.
January 13, 2023 at 10:09 am
Maureen Fergus
Outstanding list of suggestions! Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 10:10 am
Azmh
Wow, this is blowing my mind in the best way possible. I love categories and this is a whole new area of analysis that I’ve never even considered. Can’t wait to fill in the blanks and go through my shelves today! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 10:10 am
brennajeanneret
OMG! Thank you for this! I have been STRUGGLING with titles lately!! I will consult this list often!
January 13, 2023 at 10:10 am
Megan Whitaker
I’m definitely printing this out as a reference and inspiration sheet. Titles are my absolute favorite-pitches not so much! Thank you and congratulations on your books!
January 13, 2023 at 10:16 am
ryanrobertsauthor
WOW! I’ve never seen titles organized in this way, nor have I ever really thought to do this. Lots to think over and a fun, creative exercise that is sure to being ideas. THANK YOU
January 13, 2023 at 10:17 am
Jan Peck
Lucky Friday 13th! Thank you for all these fortunate and fun titles! You’re the top banana, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 10:17 am
Tanya Konerman
So many super fun examples and brainstorming ideas! I’m sure my agent will appreciate me stepping away from my all-time favorite (Alliterative) to branch out! 😜
January 13, 2023 at 10:18 am
alambertallen
Excellent post! Loved the way you categorized different types of titles. Titles are the #1 hooks to a book being opened. Great art brings the title to life. Most of my titles start a bit literal ‘working title’, then evolve with each story revision. My sparks usually come from things I see outside.
January 13, 2023 at 10:19 am
lee77094
A title driven story rather than a story driven title; a new concept for me. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 10:20 am
Susan Cabael
What an incredible array of Title Mad Libs! I can’t wait to have so much fun with this activity. It’s my favorite post so far this year.
January 13, 2023 at 10:22 am
Sarah Blotevogel
Oh my goodness…. so many new titles to add to my reading list! Thank you! I also live by my (also messy) organizational system that makes sense to me, but probably no one else.
January 13, 2023 at 10:23 am
Heidi Yates
I love to brainstorm titles! Thank you for sharing the fun title exercise, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 10:25 am
kathalsey
LOVE all these book title MadLibs, plus I agree, I love lot built-in structure. TY.
January 13, 2023 at 10:25 am
Andrea Yomtob
Very thorough assessment of titles and categories 😄- thx!
January 13, 2023 at 10:27 am
Larissa Elliott
These title madlibs are brilliant! I will definitely be brainstorming with these later.
January 13, 2023 at 10:27 am
Heather Ray
Ooh! My brain likes these tips. Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 10:28 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
These are the BEST title tips and tricks Grimelda! Er…I mean Diana! 😉 Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 10:43 am
Diana Murray
Hahah! 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Cathy!
January 13, 2023 at 10:30 am
authoraileenstewart
What a great and extensive list of title catagory options. Thanks for sharing!!!
January 13, 2023 at 10:38 am
Laurel Ranveig Abell
What fantastic advice!!! I just colorized my bookshelf thinking I’d try to remember what color certain titles are! Ridiculous! And I AM an organized sort. Totally reorganizing them now by genre. Also, I always get great titles first so I’m always looking for new ways to create them. This info is so helpful. Your books look beautiful!! Congratualtions!
January 13, 2023 at 10:40 am
rosiesartventures
Thank you Diana! 😊 What a fun way to approach brainstorming! I am doing this for sure!
January 13, 2023 at 10:41 am
srkckass
I love your MadLibs approach. It’s basically how I learned English as a kid!
January 13, 2023 at 10:42 am
Alice Fulgione
I loved all your examples of titles for various types of books!
January 13, 2023 at 10:43 am
Dionnie Takahashi
WOw! Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring list, Diana! This is a keeper!
January 13, 2023 at 10:45 am
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
Diana, this one really hit the jackpot for me!!! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 10:46 am
Lynne Marie
OMG Love love love this post. It’s title-ating 🙂 Thanks for writing it, dear Diana. And thanks, dear Tara, for hosting this event!
January 13, 2023 at 10:48 am
girlscout72091
What a joy all this information is. Thank you for all this wonderful insight!
January 13, 2023 at 10:50 am
Gregory E Bray
Thanks for the post.
January 13, 2023 at 10:51 am
McCourt Thomas
Wow! How fun is this? Thanks for sharing this great idea generator.
January 13, 2023 at 10:55 am
lindapepe
Love the fill-in-the blank idea to generate titles. Thanks so much for your helpful tips.
January 13, 2023 at 10:59 am
Kim A Larson
Loved this! Thanks for sharing your wonderful insights, Diane!
January 13, 2023 at 11:02 am
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you, Diane, for the in-depth research about the numerous categories of picture book titles.
Suzy Leopold
January 13, 2023 at 11:03 am
andreesantini
Wow, great post. I never thought of how many different types of titles there are. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 13, 2023 at 11:03 am
Christy Matthes
Wow, great information! Thank you for sharing, and now I will hit the print button.:)
January 13, 2023 at 11:04 am
mommamoocow
Lots of lovely info. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 11:05 am
Gabriella Aldeman
This is brilliant! I love making lists and categories too; it make my brain happy and calm.
January 13, 2023 at 11:07 am
Joyce Uglow
Titles can sometimes test my tenacity. This post is a keeper! It’s already taped up on my desk. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 11:07 am
Christine Ottaviano Shestak
What a fun way to think of titles!
January 13, 2023 at 11:07 am
Melissa Stoller
Hi Diana! I love this Mad Libs inspired exercise! Congratulations on all your wonderful books!
January 13, 2023 at 11:11 am
rebeccacolby
Super exercises! Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 11:15 am
Patricia Franz
OMG!! What a resource Diana ! Thank you !!
January 13, 2023 at 11:19 am
Anne-Margreet
So practical and fun! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 11:20 am
Karen Nespoli
I am amazed! Who knew there were so many different ways to create a title? A good title is an inspiring jumping off place. Thanks for all the ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 11:20 am
Sheri Radovich
This was the most helpful list of titles I have ever seen. If I can’t think of a title or an idea from this comprehensive list, I shouldn’t be writing. Thank you Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 11:23 am
jumpbaby
Wow! What a list of inspiration for titles! Also, thanks for the book suggestions.
~ Cheryl Johnson
January 13, 2023 at 11:25 am
Susan Luchetta
These are amazing suggestions! Love it! Thank you for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 11:26 am
brendad101
very helpful to think in categories, thanks
January 13, 2023 at 11:27 am
Cynthia Grady
Fun! Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 11:28 am
Meredith Epstein
I’ve been struggling with titles lately and this is helpful! Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 11:28 am
Carrie Williford (@carrietimes)
This is so, so helpful! Will definitely be using this for the rest of the month.
January 13, 2023 at 11:29 am
Jessica Coupé
Thanks for the idea!
January 13, 2023 at 11:34 am
4solivia
Diana, I love this article, I am definitely not someone who is extremely tidy about everything in my home, but there are some areas regarding how I arrange my books, that do take some form of order. I loved reading about you and your daughter, and sharing interesting titles and aspects of these books, thank you so much! Thanks for sharing these titles with us, as well!
http://www.sharonoblumbergauthor.com
January 13, 2023 at 11:36 am
bevbaird
Wow – so many amazing title categories. Hundreds of possibilities. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 11:39 am
Carlie Cornell
I already found several really fun titles with your guide. Thank you.
January 13, 2023 at 11:41 am
Jan Zauzmer
What a fantastic idea to use titles as starting points! And what fun categories! Thank you—I will save this post!
January 13, 2023 at 11:41 am
Annemarie Riley Guertin
Wow, such helpful tips! Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 11:41 am
James Adams
This is great. Love the break down. Thank you.
January 13, 2023 at 11:43 am
Cid Fleming
A title can be as centering as coming up with a pitch. Thanks for giving us an organizational structure to run with.
January 13, 2023 at 11:44 am
judyrubin13
Brilliant! Thank you, Diana, for sharing your treasure trove of idea categories. You have made today and the rest of the month so much easier.
January 13, 2023 at 11:45 am
mightyoaks3
I usually approach writing the other way around, then add a title. I’ll have to try it your way. Thank you for this extensive list of helpful title types.
January 13, 2023 at 11:45 am
jmoudahi
Diana your books are staples in our household! This was a REALLY helpful read, as someone who also enjoys categories, so many ideas are bubbling to the surface right now! Thank you so much for sharing, can’t wait to check out SOMEDAY, MAYBE 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 11:46 am
Charlotte Glaze
What a great collection of catagorized titles! Thanks.
January 13, 2023 at 11:47 am
Teresa 何 Robeson
Titles are my Achilles’ heel so I really appreciate this post…thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 11:47 am
JF Hall Writes
This was great and so helpful — I already added several of the recommended titles to my TBR list! And I’ll be playing with Mad-Lib style title inspiration for the next several days. Love it. Thank you!!
January 13, 2023 at 11:48 am
nrompella
This list is so cool–I can’t wait to fill in the blanks. (And can you daughter make my bookshelves Instagram worthy??)
January 13, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Diana Murray
Haha! I’m sure she’d love that job!
January 13, 2023 at 11:52 am
jenanyong
Dang, this was VERY helpful!!! 🤩
January 13, 2023 at 11:56 am
Amanda Perry
Wow! Your list may not be exhaustive, but it is impressive. And now I’m playing MadLibs with all the blanks to see what I come up with. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 11:57 am
beckylevine
Such a fun post. And great ways to come up with new ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 11:58 am
marshaelyn
Diana! What a packed INSPIRATIONAL POST! Thank you SO MUCH for taking your time to share with us such a detailed list of title categories and mentor books. I began jotting notes until my knuckles cried, “STOP!” My brain took over and commanded, “Copy and paste into Word, Silly.” On wintry days in Kansas, I slide off your ONE SNOWY DAY from my shelf and reread it…for pleasure and encouragement. You are a real talent. Your SOMEDAY, MAYBE sounds delightful. Sending you energy and inspiration for your continued success….
January 13, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Diana Murray
Thank you!! We are still waiting for a good snowstorm here. My kids are teens now but they still like to get out and build snowmen!
January 13, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Melissa Lettis
Haha, this is fabulous! I love madlibs too – this will be a fun brainstorm session 😀
January 13, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Arlene Schenker
Diana, thank you for this brilliant post! So timely for me. I was just trying to brainstorm a new title for a WIP, and couldn’t come up with anything I liked. Now I have EIGHT new possibilities. And I’m off to rearrange my bookshelf–but not by color.
January 13, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Jacqueline Adams
This could keep me busy for a long time! Thanks for all of the suggestions (and for an excuse to procrastinate on the cleaning chores).
January 13, 2023 at 12:07 pm
susanzonca
Whoa! You have provided us with SO MANY title-generating ideas! What a great resource, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Jennifer Rathe
Wow so fun! I came up with several title ideas. Thanks for the Writer’s Mad Lib Session. Perhaps you’ll need to write a writing book with you own writer libs. 🙂 Thanks for Sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 12:08 pm
jenfierjasinski
I’ll be saving this post for the next time I feel stuck on a title! Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Abby Wooldridge
Thanks for this awesome post! I, too, am a firm believer in keeping chaos contained through categories! 🙂 I categorize the books I use in speech therapy sessions by seasons and topics and cannot imagine the chaos that would ensue if I tried to line them up in color order (no matter how beautiful it might be!). 🙂 Congratulations on all your books, and thank you for the fun list of Mad Lib titles to try! 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Lorraine
Mad Libs were our must-have companions on long car rides. Giggles galore! Diana, thanks for the bringing back memories and a great way to create ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Daryl Gottier
So much to digest here!! Thanks so much for sharing, this is getting saved for many rereads!
January 13, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Suzanne Lewis
What an entertaining, fun and incredibly inspiring approach to stepping into stories! I have a list of ideas that ruminate as titles in my head, some even with a broadly drafted story. I love the title brainstorming by category too. More sparking and organizing going on here! Thank you Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Deena
I love Diana’s books! And these brainstorm ideas are giving me a ton already. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 12:16 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
This definitely got my creative juices flowing. What a great way to come up with ideas. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 12:17 pm
cbcole
What a fantastic concept for finding ideas for stories by coming up with a title. I will definitely be using this!!
January 13, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Sandy Belford
So many ideas just from titles! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Rochelle Y Melander
Such amazing title prompts!
January 13, 2023 at 12:20 pm
midfreeman
I’ve always loved starting with a title, but never thought to do a combo. Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Julie G
Haha! I love this so much! I can see I won’t be getting any chores done today, so many ideas to play with:)
January 13, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Teresa Rodrigues
Wow! Thanks for this awesome list, Diana, and congrats on your upcoming book!
January 13, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Annie Guerra
Love this blog post. I especially enjoyed the hook at the beginning and the exhaustive list of picture book title examples.
January 13, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Katie Marie
Thanks for a great post on titles!
January 13, 2023 at 12:23 pm
rozanark
I am saving this wonderful resource for later! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 12:24 pm
lizricewrites
Thank you for these tips and tools!
January 13, 2023 at 12:29 pm
karenrafeedie
This is one of the most helpful posts! I love the title categories. Thank you for spending the time to do this.
January 13, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Alison McGauley
I will be saving this amazing resource for next time I have to come up with a title. Thank you so much for this comprehensive post.
January 13, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Janie Reinart
Dianna,
Wow! Great examples. Thank you for all the brainstorming!❤️
January 13, 2023 at 12:34 pm
seahorsecoffeeelektra79018
I hate coming up with a title when I write so this is absolutely fantastic for me. So many ideas and tips on coming up with titles. Thanks so very very much. You made what seemed to be an impossible chore fun!
January 13, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Lauri Fortino
This is great! My story ideas often start as titles. Congratulations on your publishing success Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Becki Kidd
Diana, I see some empty spaces. Room for more books! With all of these MadLibs, you can fill them fast! Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 12:40 pm
sue macartney
Wow! So many fun title generators to play with. Thank you for this morning’s inspiration!
January 13, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Maria Bursey
Oh I love these categories – thank you! A fun 2023 project would be to try and write a manuscript in each category. #writinggoals
January 13, 2023 at 12:43 pm
mariearden
My debut picture book (2024) started with its title which is a question. It too seemed to write itself although it went through tons of rewrites. So yes, first brainstorming a title and then its story arc worked for me in this instance. Now your post is inspiring me to try out more titles and go from there with another story. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 12:44 pm
Jud Ward
I love categories! I love titles, too. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 13, 2023 at 12:49 pm
JenFW
Fun exercises. This was like a workshop. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 12:49 pm
dedradavis
Love Madlibs and all these examples! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Deborah Ishii
Thank you for sharing your organizational strategies. Your daughter sounds like mine- super-organized and you sound like me- I know which pile to find things! I’m excited about looking through my writing journals and applying your title ideas.
January 13, 2023 at 12:52 pm
michelerietz
Thank you for the great inspiration for title creation. I love that your daughter shows totally different tendencies than you. I also have a few children that I wonder who their true mother is because they are very different from me.:)
I can’t wait to dig into your suggestions.
Congratulations on your picture book success!
January 13, 2023 at 12:55 pm
claudia sloan
Wow, very thorough! Thanks for sharing 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Karan Greene
I organize things into categories too! Now I have a new strategy to help generate story ideas! Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 12:58 pm
kimpfenn
Love this post with the categories and title ideas! Thanks Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 12:59 pm
annette schottenfeld
Hi Diana, I loved your breakdown of titles! It is brilliant. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Judy Cheek
Wow! You’ve stated a story title storm in my head. So many great ways to generate story ideas. Thank you for sharing this. I’ll be coming back to this over and over again.
January 13, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Susan Latta
Fabulous post on titles. The examples are super helpful!
January 13, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks so much, Diana. Ideas really started popping after reading your post!
January 13, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Jennifer Skene
Very helpful, thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 1:12 pm
Kathy Doherty
Diana, your post came at an excellent time. I’m struggling with the title of a picture book I’ve recently written. Maybe now I can nail it!
January 13, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Echo Roben
I’ve always noticed patterns in titles, in movies too, so it’s so helpful to see them categorized. Thanks for that brilliant contribution Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Great examples in the categories! Thanks for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 1:19 pm
christinashawnbooks
Thank you for this incredible exercise in generating title ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 1:21 pm
christinashawnbooks
Thank you for sharing this incredible title idea generator!
January 13, 2023 at 1:22 pm
ponder2write
Thank you for introducing a way to arrange my scatter ideas into titles!
January 13, 2023 at 1:25 pm
amber
love this list, such a great idea!
January 13, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Linda
So many great ideas here! Thank you for this very helpful post!
January 13, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Mark Ceilley
Wow! So many possibilities! Thank you so much!
January 13, 2023 at 1:28 pm
alicia shawn gagnon
Unbelievably storm inspiring. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Sharon Jackson
Great article! It’s amazing how many ways a title can be written. I have to admit, I am more partial to an alliterative title. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 1:31 pm
valerieschultz023gmailcom
So many possibilities! Thanks for the inspiration!
January 13, 2023 at 1:31 pm
heatherstigall
Wow! These are fabulous idea starters. Thanks–I’m definitely procrastinating my house chores today!
January 13, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Marilyn DeVries
I love this idea so MUCH! Titles are the first thing that the reader needs to be curious about! I would love to have a critique of my work.
January 13, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Jenna Johnson
This was fun! Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 1:40 pm
kirstenbockblog
I love your categories! I often come up with the title first, so this is right up my alley.
January 13, 2023 at 1:42 pm
Shirley
This was a really wonderful and helpful post. Thank you and congratulations on your books!
January 13, 2023 at 2:16 pm
nowthattherestime281137688
What a fantastic post! Like your daughter, I am a cleaner/organizer. When I was young I “organized/cleaned up” my dad’s office. (He was an organized chaos type – he had piles of papers on his desk that looked like a mess, but he was able to access anything needed within seconds.) He graciously thanked me for cleaning up after him but later (when I was older) let me know that he had to search for things he needed for weeks after I tidied up for him. Thank you for the wonderful ideas, I am anxious to get started writing!
January 13, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Diana Murray
That’s so funny! It was nice of him not to tell you. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Loretta Schrader
Very helpful post, I am struggling right now with what to call my first book. I want a stronger title before I try to reach out to agents.
January 13, 2023 at 1:47 pm
DrZatHome
I also often keep a list of title ideas, ha! Love the madlibs :-). Thanks for this helpful post!
January 13, 2023 at 1:49 pm
Andria Rosenbaum
It’s fascinating to see how different people work! Thanks for sharing your process & congratulations on ALL your books!
January 13, 2023 at 1:50 pm
danielledufayet
Wow- what a fun and informative post! I love your process…thank you so much for sharing. It’s quite impressive and inspirational. Congrats!
January 13, 2023 at 1:51 pm
LRHeffner
Wow- those titles just kept going, and going, and going… amazing! Loved reading each one. Thanks for these helpful title tips. SOMEDAY MAYBE is a beautiful title!
January 13, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Natasha
Books shelved by color. I love it. We do all have our own ways of categorizing. I had fun making up titles by filling in your blanks. Now to flesh one out into a story…
January 13, 2023 at 1:53 pm
martyfindley
Thanks for this post. I love these ideas. I got a title and many ideas for the ms followed.
January 13, 2023 at 1:55 pm
martyfindley
Thank you for this post! I got an idea for a title and details for ms followed.
January 13, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Katie Reinert
I definitely find it easier to think of story ideas when there are constraints and it’s not just the sky’s the limit. Thanks for this idea of starting with a title!
January 13, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Jessica Milo
Wow, what a great title mad libs list! This is so helpful and I am excited to use this to create titles and brainstorm ideas!! Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Hannah Roy LaGrone
Ok I feel like I could come up with 30 ideas from this post alone!! Great tips—will be referring back to this!
January 13, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Poupette
This fun exercise is sure to keep us busy!
January 13, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Angel Gantnier
Thank you for the inspiration =)
January 13, 2023 at 2:18 pm
ellen seal
Fantastic! Thank you. I tend to like short, snappy titles so maybe I’ll try a longer (maybe rhymed!) title to branch out. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Nadia Ali
Great title ideas. I usually start a story from a title so this is great info. Thanks Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Cathy Lentes
I often start with a title myself. This is a perfect exercise for me.
Thank you!
And good luck reorganizing your books.😉
January 13, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Danya Vasquez David
Love the idea of Title Mad Libs! I lived on Mad Libs as a kid. They had my cousins and I up all night laughing till the crack of dawn! Thanks so much for sharing these helpful ideas!!
January 13, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Katharine Emlen
What a fun post! Great ideas and so many ways to play around. I can easily see having a title brainstorming session and filling up pages fast! To later write, of course…thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 2:26 pm
Amy Newbold
I often struggle with titles, so I don’t naturally think of titles as a way to generate ideas. I love this post! All the categories got me thinking, and I am excited to see the ideas I can generate by creating titles. Thanks so much for this wonderful post!
January 13, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Mary
Diana, I had a belly laugh reading how your daughter organized your books by color! Hilarious!! Thanks for the great suggestions for titles. That’s a keeper!
January 13, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Peggy Dobbs
Thanks for the treasure trove of title ideas! I especially enjoy puns.
January 13, 2023 at 2:32 pm
blairmoorebooks
Ah! This is my favorite Storystorm post yet. This is so how my mind works, and I know these prompts will bring about some great ideas. Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Laurie L. Warchol
Thank you, Diana, for this great list of title categories. Congrats on your success!
January 13, 2023 at 2:33 pm
susan contreras
What a fun use of MadLibs for title starters….
January 13, 2023 at 2:39 pm
donnamorkreed
This is a very helpful list. Thank you so much! I always feel like I do better when I have a list that I can use and just go down the list and check off as I go. Thanks so much!
January 13, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Sharon A Putnam
What a great post, Diana! I’ll be playing with this all weekend, as well as taking a trip to the library for tons of reading material!! I also organize my bookshelves… my adult titles are organized by categories within catagories: Native American (Literature, History, Spirituality), The Yukon Quest and The Iditarod (History, Mushers) NASA (History, Flights of Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle),Horses (Literature, Riders, Training), Gold Rush, Gardening, Politics, etc but my children’s bookshelves are organized by authors.
What struck me about your daughter organizing your bookshelf was, not only did she do it by color but they are also in order of the rainbow, except for indigo and violet.
January 13, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Diana Murray
Yes, they were ROYGBV! You can’t see the whole thing in the photo. There was also a “white” shelf. And it sounds like you have some great stuff on your bookshelf!
January 13, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Lauri Meyers
I haven’t seen groupings if titles before- love this!
January 13, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
I need to do a Title Brainstorm and see what comes out of it!
January 13, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Royal Baysinger (@RoyalBaysinger)
Diana, coming up with a title first is such a great idea! And what an amazing list of prompts! Thank you SO much for your post!
January 13, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Diane McBee
The title is the jumping off point. I can relate to that comment. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Robin Larin
Amazing list! I tend to come up with titles before stories, so this will be invaluable 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Maria Marshall
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for an inspiring post and a fun way to procrastinate.
January 13, 2023 at 3:05 pm
amberleawilliams
This is such a great idea! Love the mad libs ideas! What a great way to spark ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 3:06 pm
Allison Fleischman
Thank you! Can’t wait to Mad Libs some titles!
January 13, 2023 at 3:06 pm
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner
Wow! Just WOW! The inspiration floodgate just opened wide 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
DIANA: OOOH! MAD LIBS CATEGORIES!!!! I’M SO EXCITED!!! I, too, am a LOVER of Mad Libs, so THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION to find INSPIRATION through this nod to my childhood. We ALL need a bit of MADNESS, even when it comes to categorizing! THANK YOU!
January 13, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
My daughter-in-law just rearranged my son’s books by color and he can’t find anything either. Great title tips!
January 13, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Cait Darfler (@CaitDarfler)
MadLibs are such a fun way to get story ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Jay
I’ve experienced my bookshelves being reorganised. 😱
Thanks for sharing this great post, I’m up for a title challenge!
January 13, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Laurie Seaford
WOW! I’ll be coming back to your post again and again. I started filling in the blanks for your title categories, and my (lately) dormant idea brain kicked into gear with idea after idea after idea spinning into idea after idea after idea. THANK YOU! And, as an added bonus, I have some great new titles to add to my reading list. Loved it!
January 13, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Lisa
This is a fun idea; I think that titles are a perfect jumping off place. Will be trying this now! Thanks for the tons of examples, too!
January 13, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Jennifer Mills Barnes
Oh, my goodness! All your categorizing brings much inspiration. Thanks so much for helping us think differently – and for the amazing gift.
January 13, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Bethanny Parker
Wow, so many ways to brainstorm titles. Thanks for your post.
January 13, 2023 at 3:20 pm
nicolesalterbraun
That whole “organizing the bookshelf” thing is something my husband would do to me. Ahhh!!! Well intentioned, yet annoying. LOL
January 13, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Diana Murray
Haha!! I guess it’s the thought that counts? 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS
Love your books! Thank you for insight into your maybe messy but certainly successful writing career. The photo of your color-coded shelves–wow.
January 13, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Danielle Hammelef
Title brainstorming sounds fun. Thank you for the idea starter today!
January 13, 2023 at 3:28 pm
mariamarianayagam
These title brainstorming exercises are amazing! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 3:28 pm
geigerlin
A title is a reader’s first glimpse into our stories. Wow! Great suggestions for narrowing the process.
January 13, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Jan Milusich
I find titles hard, but you’ve made them fun. Thanks for that!
January 13, 2023 at 3:33 pm
lphunt
Using titles to inspire a story, there’s a thought! 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Jaime Petrucci
Thanks for the ideas Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 3:37 pm
suzanbh
Wow! So much inspiration here! Thank you for jogging my brain again and again and again!
January 13, 2023 at 3:40 pm
Connie Jameson
So many great ideas and examples! Thank you, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Mary Ann Blair
I loved seeing all these fun titles! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 3:45 pm
su
Haha! Fun title generators!
January 13, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Linda Staszak
LOVE the exercise to create book titles–it’s priceless! I usually start with a title, so thanks so much.
January 13, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Joy Wieder
Thanks for all the Kidlit madlibs! Great idea starters!
January 13, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Linda Hofke
you’ve given us so many ways to generate a title. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Cindy Montoya
That was about a month’s worth of inspiration in one post. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Linda B
Love the many ways to play with titles. And that’s so funny about your daughter sorting by color.
January 13, 2023 at 4:19 pm
MikAdventures
I love the MadLibs exercise!
January 13, 2023 at 4:19 pm
streetlynn
Thanks for this post. This will keep me busy!
January 13, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Diana, This was so helpful. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 4:41 pm
bookfish1
What a great post! I love the title examples. I also will try to come up with one, but that may be tough since you seemed to cover everything. Thanks
January 13, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Leslie Degnan
We love MadLibs in our family! It’s given us all lots of laughs. What a fun idea:Mad Libs for inspirational titles arranged in categories. Brilliant!
January 13, 2023 at 4:46 pm
Steena Hernandez
Diana, I bookmarked the Twitter post you mentioned too, Title Tryouts! So fun to explore titles like this! Thanks for the great examples and ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 4:47 pm
Jane Baskwill
Thank you Diana!! I find titles so hard to craft. Your list of categories is awesome.
January 13, 2023 at 4:53 pm
Kaylee Schmutz
This is a brilliant idea!
January 13, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Jill Purtee (P. J.)
I love this! I plan to use this ‘cheat sheet’ to search for titles for my WIP. Thank you so much.
January 13, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Heather Dawn Torres
I totally love this! Have never thought of titles in this way before. Thanks for sharing! Now, I’m off to do some Mad Libs!
January 13, 2023 at 4:58 pm
andynarwhal
Yeah, what IS up with all these book arranged by color? And how did you get so many monochromatic but colorful books?
Anyway, you maybe today’s STORYSTORM easy, and I sense I’ll be referring back to this post often. Thanks, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm
CatherineBrewer
Thank you Diana for such a great post. So many great ideas for brainstorming titles! Congratulations on your books!
January 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Karin Larson
What a terrific post and ideas. I love MadLibs but never thought of it from a title perspective. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 5:10 pm
greengirlblueplanet
I have never thought of using a title so I will definitely try to use this! Thanks so much!!
January 13, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Beth Holladay
Hi Diana, Thanks so much for your post! I came up with 11 new ideas using the this title exercise:) I’m a big fan of your books and can’t wait to read the new ones.
Cheers!
Beth
January 13, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Whitney Myers
I needed this boost for creative thinking!
January 13, 2023 at 5:13 pm
Elizabeth McBride
Diana, your suggestions and ideas are so helpful! I have often used a title idea for a prompt to write a poem, but had not done so for a story (unless there was a pun involved. It is just too hard to resist writing in response to a pun!). Congratulations on your many books already published, as well as those soon to come out!
January 13, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Kate Morgan
Thanks so much for all these wonderful ideas, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Catherine Velasco
I love writing Mad Lib letters for my nephews. They think I’m super silly! Great idea for my own work! So grateful!!!
January 13, 2023 at 5:15 pm
laureannawrites
I love the idea of “mad-libbing” a title. This would be great for the classroom too! Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Christine Letizia
The category idea is great, especially for those of us who are messy. Thank you for sharing so many amazing examples in each category.
January 13, 2023 at 5:24 pm
Lisa Galek
I once organized my books by color. It looked pretty, but I couldn’t find anything!
January 13, 2023 at 5:24 pm
amandalittleauthor
I love the mad libs approach to titles, thanks for sharing! I’m all about the organized mess. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Deborah Foster
I love this idea! I’m going to print these off so I can do some fill in the blank Mad Libs!
January 13, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Karen Gebbia
thanks, this is such a fun way to think about titles!
January 13, 2023 at 5:34 pm
horsewriterlady
Thank you for this helpful post! There are so many title ideas, I can’t wait to get started with this in front of me.
Congrats on all your books!
January 13, 2023 at 5:34 pm
Sherry Smith
Clever titles are difficult for me to devise after I finish a story. Categories, or the title first, is a brilliant way to inspire new ideas for stories.
January 13, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Gabi Snyder
Wow! I think I might get 30 ideas from this post. Thank you for this incredible collection of title options, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 5:39 pm
marty bellis
Thanks, Diana. This is a fun exercise. I love dreaming up titles. Can’t wait to see what I come up with.
And hurray for your beatnik daughter 🙂 Mine were the messy variety.
January 13, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Jenny Boyd
What a fun exercise! (Also, I am not yet brave enough to categorize my books by color.)
January 13, 2023 at 5:41 pm
ritariebelmitchell
What a great post, Diana. It’s sparked so many ideas! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 5:42 pm
jbdedwardscomcastnet
Laughed at this one. I pile stuff by categories. My husband just piles. At least I can find things, and he can’t. Loved your exercise on titles. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 5:52 pm
Ellie Langford
Thanks for sharing, Diana. I’m going to think of a good title for each category and see what happens.
January 13, 2023 at 5:56 pm
Nadia Forrest
Thanks Diana! I love mad libs but never thought of using it for brainstorming.
January 13, 2023 at 5:58 pm
Allison Green
I love me some good categorization.
January 13, 2023 at 5:58 pm
Diane M.
Love all your title categories. It’s a good exercise for generating ideas, as well as pushing forward when stuck. I also love coming up with first lines.
January 13, 2023 at 6:03 pm
taracho4
Wow! What an amazing list! Thank you for taking the time to collect all these sample titles. This was such a helpful post. I tend to start with titles as well, so definitely bookmarking this for future reference!
January 13, 2023 at 6:04 pm
Laurie Carmody
Ahh! This really made me THINK!
January 13, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Buffy Silverman
So many great idea-generating tips–thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 6:09 pm
letsshareatsory
This is a gold mine of brainstorming ideas (and new books for my to-read list)! Often my story ideas start with a title, so this is just great! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 6:11 pm
chaunceyelephant
Love the title categories! Going to explore this…
January 13, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Elena Horne
My favourite brainstorm idea so far! Thanks Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 6:17 pm
sareenmclay
What great ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 6:19 pm
Marlena Leach
Great ideas! I’m brainstorming as I write this. Congrats on your new book!
January 13, 2023 at 6:21 pm
Leslie Santamaria
What a great brainstorming technique! Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 6:25 pm
shirley301
Such a great way to brainstorm for ideas. Thanks for your post.
January 13, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Katie Berner
Such a helpful post!! This jumpstarted my brainstorming for today and I’m looking forward to checking out all these awesome new books! Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 6:36 pm
jessaroux
Many of my stories start as fun or silly titles too. I won’t even have a clue what the plot will be, but a random title can make for some seriously fun brainstorming!
January 13, 2023 at 6:43 pm
juliejelliebean
Wow! What a great list of Title prompts! Thanks Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 6:49 pm
mhberg
I’ve never seen title types categorized this way! What a great jumping off point! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 6:50 pm
Diane Mittler
Love the considerations of title categories. Thanks for these great jumping off points!
January 13, 2023 at 6:50 pm
sheilagart
Love the title inspirations! Can’t wait to try this approach.
January 13, 2023 at 6:53 pm
Jess Burbank (@jburbank)
Thanks to your post today, I fun a title idea popped into my head in the shower, and then a whole book idea just came to me, so I jumped out of the shower and stood dripping while I wrote, basically, a first draft in Notes on my phone before I forgot everything. Ha! Thank you!!
January 14, 2023 at 10:34 am
Diana Murray
Hooray!! (Amazing how many ideas come in the shower! Probably because your brain is relaxed.)
January 13, 2023 at 6:56 pm
marthaej
Wow Diana – I think I need to print off your blog! So many ideas to try out and play with! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!
January 13, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Angela Martinelli
Thank you Diana! I love this idea to brainstorm on titles for inspiration or almost as story starters. And I often write in Mad Libs format. When I know something is missing but I don’t know what it is yet, I type a blank ——— and come back and fill it in later with different options to see what works. That keeps my flow of writing going especially in first drafts and lets me work on the blanks in revisions. Thank you for breaking down titles for us in such a helpful way!
January 14, 2023 at 10:33 am
Diana Murray
I do that, too! But I usually write in “bla bla bla” or “something something”. Haha
January 13, 2023 at 6:57 pm
Katherine Rea
Sooo many ideas from this one, thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Lenora Biemans (@BiemansLenora)
I love categories and naming things and titles, so I’ll be saving this post for ever and ever. Thank you! And congratulations, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Julie Reich
What a treasure trove of titles! Thank you for the great categories–I can’t wait to start filling them in. I might even play Mad Libs with these title starters.
January 13, 2023 at 7:11 pm
Kristen Indahl
Wow, your category skills are benefiting us all for the long haul. Thanks so much, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Penelope McNally
Thanks for this terrific post, Diana! So many ideas already forming, thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Suzanne Alexander
Thanks for the wonderful story starters!
January 13, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Terry Talley
Love these fun ways to spark creativity! As a teacher I assigned Mad Lib Fridays and even reluctant writers loved it.
January 13, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Kristie J Drake
The possibilities are endless.
January 13, 2023 at 7:22 pm
Teresa Daffern
Wow! This is amazing! Thanks for sharing these golden title ideas.
January 13, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Sharlin Craig
Such a comprehensive and inspiring post! I made notes of all your categories and brainstormed as I wrote them down and already have 15 ideas! I really like your very useful idea to categorize books and title ideas. I’ll be referring back to these notes A LOT! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 7:44 pm
Mary Beth Rice
Love the idea of taking a phrase all the way through a book and I loved the title categories! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Trine Grillo
Fun exercises to try. Thanks.
January 13, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Pencil First writing &. editing
What a great set of inspiring ideas. I appreciate the effort Diana went to to provide examples of books written using the particular format, some I wouldn’t have considered. (I don’t understand the colour categorising either, it seems illogical.)
January 13, 2023 at 7:48 pm
Jeanne Cherney
Love all the great ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Aly Kenna
Thanks Diana. Love titles, love your post. Thanks for sharing and good luck with your new book baby 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 7:50 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
What a rich post! So many ideas to found in here. I’m printing this one out and hanging it over my desk. Thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 7:52 pm
Susan Eyerman
Printing your title fill-the-blanks area. It will be useful. Thank you.
January 13, 2023 at 7:54 pm
yangmommy
I still enjoy Mad Libs too 🙂 And I’m curious…did you ever re-org all your book or did you leave them in your color groups? Thanks for all the fun!
January 14, 2023 at 10:31 am
Diana Murray
I did! After she was sort of “over it” and onto doing something else, I put them back into my own system. I waited a few months. LOL
January 14, 2023 at 12:23 pm
yangmommy
I bet you were itching to do so, LOL! Made for a great pic, though! 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 7:56 pm
Sarah Mead
Wow! What a list! Thanks for breaking down all the titles like that. So many possibilities…
January 13, 2023 at 7:59 pm
lisarowefraustino
Love these prompts and will save your article to use with my students in creative writing classes.
January 13, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Amita Snyder
This has been extremely inspirational and bonus: I needed to avoid some chores 😉
January 13, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Kay
Love the title idea thanks for sharing
January 13, 2023 at 8:07 pm
hansenjc13
This is so much fun! I just pulled out my Mad Libs Books the other day, too. Thanks for all the different title categories and examples!
January 13, 2023 at 8:14 pm
Amy Center Cory
This is so much great information, Diana! I always seem to struggle with titles and this gives great food for thought.
January 13, 2023 at 8:14 pm
Amy Center Cory
Amazing information, Diana! I always seem to struggle with titles and this gives great food for thought.
January 13, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Melissa Hastings
Will be exploring categories, playing Scategories and MadLibs, and trying new titles!
January 13, 2023 at 8:23 pm
Marcia D. Williams
Wow Diana. This is an amazing post with so many title ideas and a structure to go with it. Thank you and congratulations on your books.😊
January 13, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Arielle Lenthall
Love this, so many great ideas! Btw I’m a messy categoriser too 😁
January 13, 2023 at 8:25 pm
iartbygina
These are wonderful ideas!! Thank you for sharing
January 13, 2023 at 8:26 pm
marty
Thank you, Diana. I love the idea of filling in the blanks using title templates. Thanks, Tara for inviting Diana to post her inspiration.
January 13, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Armineh Manookian
These are such fun exercises. Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Devin Stetson
Amazing list of title options and a great place to start for ideas. Thanks for this post!
January 13, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Brinton Culp
I love starting with titles and I’m going to love coming up with some fun ones–thanks!
January 13, 2023 at 8:30 pm
Marci Whitehurst
WOW! So many great ideas through these titles! Thanks for sharing–this is definitely inspirational.
January 13, 2023 at 8:36 pm
Angie B.
I could spend a whole month on just this post! Thank you for the generosity of ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Lisa Atkinson
This is so thorough, I love it! Thank you for sharing this part of your process.
January 13, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Maria Altizer
So many great ideas! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 8:41 pm
jimchaize1
Oh, boy! I’ve fallen behind on my 30 ideas list, but I think this post is going to actually put me ahead! Thanks, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 8:42 pm
David McMullin
Fantastic, Diana! I can always count on you for inspiration and learning something new!
January 13, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Stephanie D Jones
I love starting with titles! And these ideas/groupings are marvelous!! Thank you 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 8:49 pm
Jennifer Weisse
Such a fun exercise. Thank you for sharing such a creative post.
January 13, 2023 at 9:04 pm
Hélène Sabourin
A fun exercise but still didn’t hit the right note.
January 13, 2023 at 9:05 pm
Helen Lysicatos
Diana, this was fantastic! I love starting with a title and this have provided me with so many ideas. Thank you! P.S. I loooovvveee Unicorn Day and Groggle! Congrats on your upcoming releases!
January 14, 2023 at 10:27 am
Diana Murray
Thanks, Helen!!
January 13, 2023 at 9:05 pm
Sara Ackerman
Types of titles—brilliant! Sparking some ideas for me already 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 9:06 pm
Amy Mucci
Just thinking about all these titles is such a great idea generator, thank you! It was fun to see so many books I recognized too. Can’t wait to brainstorm!
Amy
January 13, 2023 at 9:07 pm
Jess Hedaria
Thank you for sharing. My son and I LOVE your Unicorn Day books we just for the Christmas one and he asks to read it daily. Thank you for sparking joy in my nightly reads.
January 14, 2023 at 10:24 am
Diana Murray
Awww! That’s nice to hear! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:12 pm
Linda Silvestri
Love the mad libs exercise and the accompanying titles! Very helpful, fun and inspiring! Can’t wait to get started. Thanks for this fun and valuable post! Also, I wish someone would organize my books in any sort of way! Took me forever to find the one I was looking for today.
January 13, 2023 at 9:17 pm
authordebradaugherty
I love your post, Diane. So many wonderful ideas. I’m going to print it out for quick reference. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 9:22 pm
Anne LeBlanc 🇨🇦😊❤️📚libraries✍️🎤💃⛏️Go Leafs! (@AnneLeBlanc2)
Wow! So many great ideas! I still love Mad Libs! I can picture making spreadsheets of ideas – or using notecards to mix and match. One year I had students come up with tens of ideas of “Three Little ______s”. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:23 pm
Sandy
Loving reading these blogs
January 13, 2023 at 9:29 pm
lsheroan
A couple of titles have popped into my head during Storystorm this year. Thanks for your inspiring ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 9:32 pm
lindakaychavezbooks
It was helpful to hear how you organize yourself. Thanks for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 9:37 pm
Jennifer Vose
Diana, this is so much fun! I, too, always loved Mad Libs – so this really brought me back! I’ll have to keep coming back to your awesome list of prompts and blanks. What a great exercise!
January 13, 2023 at 9:41 pm
seschipper
What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing! In our 1st grade classroom we borrow books from the county library to add to our theme. I had a group of children one year who would want to “organize” the books by size, color etc. ! it was always fun to see their creativity! :}
January 13, 2023 at 9:42 pm
Linda Sakai
Your title ideas are inspiring. I’ll have to try some. Thanks.
January 13, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Stephanie Jackson
Such a great post! I’ve thought about dissecting this myself, but you’ve saved me a little time.
January 13, 2023 at 9:49 pm
Sophie Furman
I love rainbow shelves, my sister got me into them (she is the organized one!). I got through half the mad libs so far, and it’s lots of fun! Thank you so much for the amazing post full of ideas!!
January 13, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Krys Plate
What a great bunch of title ideas! Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Sarah Meade
Great post! Lots of excellent examples of titles and story ideas. Thanks, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Sandy Perlic
Wow–what a hugely helpful post! Thanks so much for going to all that trouble.
January 13, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Jennifer Lu
Wow this is a lot of helpful title ideas! I can’t wait to try it out. Also can’t imagine how shocked you must have been about the bookshelf haha, everyone has a system even if someone else doesn’t see it right away. Thanks for the creative ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Dannielle Viera
I came up with so many great titles thanks to this post!
January 13, 2023 at 10:09 pm
Jennifer Phillips
I love playing with titles. So many idea sparks in your blog post. Thank you for taking the time to create this!
January 13, 2023 at 10:14 pm
Angela Lebovic
This is the post that keeps on giving! Thank you so much for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 10:16 pm
Monica Acker
So fun! I’ll come back to this one time and again I think!
January 13, 2023 at 10:16 pm
Rona Shirdan
You helped me generate several ideas with your post. So helpful. Thanks for sharing!
January 13, 2023 at 10:18 pm
donnacangelosi
Wow, Diana! So many fun title starters! Thanks so much!
January 13, 2023 at 10:36 pm
pamelanaturalliving
What a great idea for story starters! And to categorize your books according to the genre. Mine are categorized to the subject matter, but this is a cool idea.
January 13, 2023 at 10:39 pm
Kathy Crable
Thanks for the great list – gave me an idea just reading through it!
January 13, 2023 at 10:46 pm
Stephanie Lau
Madlibs! Great idea!
January 13, 2023 at 10:47 pm
Kamalani Hurley
lol Iʻm tickled that Iʻm not the only adult who loves Madlibs. I love the Madlibs title idea. Very clever. Thanks, Diane!
January 13, 2023 at 10:49 pm
Ana Archi
Jolted! Just what I needed
January 13, 2023 at 10:51 pm
EmilyKeifer
I loved all these title mad libs to stir up ideas!
January 13, 2023 at 10:57 pm
vgraboski61gmailcom
Very clever exercise. Thank you, Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 10:58 pm
ralucasirbu
what a novel idea to generate titles as trigger points for inspiration. Really clever, Diana.
January 13, 2023 at 11:06 pm
Chelle Martin
lol Too funny about the color coordinating bookshelves. Maybe your little one will work in a library one day. Wouldn’t that be fun? As for Mad Libs…fun game!
January 13, 2023 at 11:07 pm
cinzialverde
Thank you – what a fun exercise and I loved all the examples.
January 13, 2023 at 11:10 pm
jbbower
Titles-only Mad Libs. I love it! Thanks Diana!
January 13, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Brittney Jett
Thank you Diana! This is both inspiring and fun. 🙂
January 13, 2023 at 11:22 pm
calepage
Someday I’ll draft stories for all my titles
13 Fridays the 13!
January 13, 2023 at 11:22 pm
bonnie fireUrchin ~ pb illustration & writing
Whether as inspiration for a story, or brainstorming after it’s completed, thinking in categorizations like this could really help narrow the focus on the right title.
I have a crossover title category – OWNERSHIP – so most often it will be a character who owns if – whether it’s an object, a problem, a trait, or another character.
Examples I’m brainstorming here as examples [easy to also be alliterative at times or lyrical]- some may even be real but not checking….
BOFFO’S MISSING NOSE SQUIRRELL’S STORE VAN GOGH’S MONA LISA
CAPTAIN HOOK’S ISLAND PETER’S SHADOW THE WELL’S LONGING FOR WATER
January 14, 2023 at 10:22 am
Diana Murray
Interesting! Good category addition!
January 13, 2023 at 11:28 pm
rgstones
This title-brainstorming exercise is maybe one of my favorite idea-generating exercises ever! Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2023 at 11:35 pm
Thelia Hutchinson
Awesome. Great advice. I usually start with title of the book, then take it from there. It helps a lot.
January 13, 2023 at 11:44 pm
Marcia Berneger
Hi Diane,
What a comprehensive list if title ideas. Thanks for sharing it!!
January 13, 2023 at 11:46 pm
tracyschuldthelixon
My kids and I have had a lot of fun with MadLibs, but I never thought of it as a way to generate new story ideas. How fun! Thank you.
January 13, 2023 at 11:49 pm
Cheryl Simon (@cmsimon18)
This was a fun post to read! I love thinking about titles and this has brought it to a whole new level. Thank you!
January 13, 2023 at 11:53 pm
ConstanceL
A brilliant idea for brainstorming! thank you so much for this post!
January 13, 2023 at 11:54 pm
Joannie Duris
What a fun way to brainstorm titles! Thanks, Diana. Your Mad Libs approach can easily lead to 30+ ideas if we manage to fill in all the blanks. I often start with title ideas that just won’t let go until I find the story that goes with them.
January 13, 2023 at 11:54 pm
writersideup
Diana, what a fanTASTic post! (Not that I’m surprised!) I LOVE your Mad-Libs list AND your categories ❤ I'm organized with pretty much everything I can be, but my children's books are arranged only by board books, picture books and novels since WHERE I have to put them is more of the issue lol And I'm guilty of not extracting the many signed ones, though figure I should And you and your daughter are VERY funny! She's all about aesthetics, so is it a touch of OCD or that she's simply artistic and hates clutter? 😉 Thanks for the great suggestions! 😀
January 14, 2023 at 10:20 am
Diana Murray
Thanks for stopping by, Donna Marie! We both have a touch of OCD actually. 🙂 She just really enjoys organizing and cleaning. She finds it fun. I like the results but I don’t enjoy the process of doing it. And yes, she is also very artistic!
January 13, 2023 at 11:55 pm
Vanessa
Diana,
I loved your post and you did mention one of my all time favorite books: “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!” It is an absolute hit with kinder and first grade kids.
January 14, 2023 at 10:17 am
Diana Murray
Isn’t that one fantastic?! One of my favorites, too!
January 14, 2023 at 12:06 am
carlislemalone
I adored all of this! What an amazing post!
January 14, 2023 at 12:15 am
authorlaurablog
Diana, this is nothing short of brilliant! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 12:23 am
Daniella Kaufman
Fantastic post! Love this helpful, creative exercise (with examples!) to spark inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 12:25 am
GOades-Sese
I absolutely enjoyed reading this! So many ideas to come up with titles. Thank you, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 12:28 am
Sharon Langley
Sorting and categorizing makes me happy, too! Here’s one…Published Books! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 12:32 am
jasminefang
Thanks for the title inspiration! My bookshelf is color-coordinated too.
January 14, 2023 at 12:36 am
elizabethdaghfal
Wow! What a list!! Some great titles on here, and great ideas for more…
January 14, 2023 at 12:42 am
Diane O'Neill
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
January 14, 2023 at 12:42 am
Debbie Meyer
This post sparked more ideas & energy than any so far. Thank you, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 12:43 am
Acamy Schleikorn
Wow!! This is so helpful! Thank you!!
January 14, 2023 at 12:47 am
Kathleen Clark
Such a wonderfully imaginative list of categories! I love it. Thank you for sharing, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 12:54 am
Paul Brassard
Diana,
Thanks so much for a sensational scheme —
good titles can be just the start —
And your KidLit poems that’ve help me to dream
of writing kid rhymes from the heart.
January 14, 2023 at 1:03 am
Paul Brassard
NON-DUPLICATE POST
(My original post did not show up in the comments so this is a re-post)
Diana,
Thanks so much for a sensational scheme —
good titles can be just the start —
And your KidLit poems that’ve helped me to dream
of writing kid rhymes from the heart.
January 14, 2023 at 10:16 am
Diana Murray
Thanks for commenting in rhyming verse! Love it!
January 14, 2023 at 1:07 am
juliehamptonc228d7b913
This exploration into titles was absolutely excellent! Very timely for me right now as I am editing a project that needs a better title. Thank you so much!
January 14, 2023 at 1:10 am
Judith Snyder
So many wonderful ideas! Thank you.
January 14, 2023 at 1:22 am
Kellie
Totally with you, Diana, on the book categories on shelves and the horror of colour-coding! What a fabulous post. Thank you.
January 14, 2023 at 1:29 am
wyszguy
Great exercise! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 1:46 am
sabrinashah84
Sometimes titles go through such a journey . Thanks for the opportunity 👍🏼👍🏼
January 14, 2023 at 1:52 am
8catpaws
So many ideas–my eyes are blurry! Thank you, thank you, Diana Murray!
January 14, 2023 at 2:02 am
Bri Lawyer
I am having so much fun with these title combos! Thanks for this inspiration!
January 14, 2023 at 2:26 am
jennifercowanwriter
Ok this is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!! I’m going to find a way to print it and savor it- truly wonderful and THANK YOU!!!!
All My best
Jennifer 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 2:49 am
kathleenannajacobs
This is So. Much. Fun!
Thank you. I can’t wait to fill in the blanks!
January 14, 2023 at 2:58 am
steveheron
Brilliant schmilliant!!
January 14, 2023 at 2:58 am
steveheron
Brilliant schmilliant!!
January 14, 2023 at 3:52 am
JL
Great ideas!
January 14, 2023 at 6:08 am
Catherine Friess
This is so helpful Diana! I’m struggling to find a title for my chapter book and trying to stay away from alliteration for a change!
January 14, 2023 at 6:11 am
takingcareof4
This is an amazing resource, thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 7:06 am
58chilihed13
I had to be at work early…Friday the 13th…what could happen? Storystorm post not up before I had to set out for work…finally wee small hours of the 14th I was able to enjoy Diana’s post…after a day of chaos, was grand to read her fun post and know I can find a way to get the chaos contained! Really fun!!
January 14, 2023 at 8:00 am
Elenore Byrne
Thanks Diane, such a great list to get the ideas flowing. I’ve never warmed to the colour-ordered book shelf either. I like to hunt for ‘that’ book and the satisfaction that comes with a successful discovery.
January 14, 2023 at 8:33 am
Elle Carlin
I can’t wait to play around with this!
January 14, 2023 at 8:34 am
mbhmaine
Thanks for the excuse to procrastinate and for a fun way to idea generate. As a rule, titles are difficult for me, so maybe starting with the title will help. Thanks for your great post!
January 14, 2023 at 8:58 am
abby mumford
This is a really fascinating look at titles, which happens to be one of the weakest parts of my writing repertoire. Thank you so much for this one, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 9:23 am
Yolimari Garcia
I’m a cataloguer, so I loved this post. And it inspired me to categorize and label my home library like I do at work.
January 14, 2023 at 9:41 am
Freda Lewkowicz
Wow! This is very helpful! Thank you.
January 14, 2023 at 9:42 am
jnorland
I love the clarity in this post – Thinking about categories will help me pay better attention to books by others — and think about good titles for my own. thank you!!
January 14, 2023 at 9:43 am
thelogonauts
Bookmarking this one! So much idea potential, thanks!
January 14, 2023 at 9:56 am
Susan Gruidel
So much fun! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 9:59 am
Heidi Chupp
Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I will keep coming back to this post for fresh inspiration, that’s for sure. 😊 Thank you, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 10:18 am
Karen Gardner
I wish I could list all the ways that this blog is helpful. Thank you for offering a neat way to organize ideas and for initiating brainstorms!
January 14, 2023 at 10:20 am
Bridgitte Rodguez
This is a super clever idea! And so true! Picture book titles always fall into these categories!
January 14, 2023 at 10:20 am
Jessica Fries-Gaither
Title Mad Libs! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 10:33 am
Kevin Treaccar
Love these lists! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 11:03 am
Pat
Loved, loved, loved the title tryouts – Thank you for sharing that fabulous idea
January 14, 2023 at 11:11 am
Barbara Farland
Totally doing this with my family and writing group! Fun!
January 14, 2023 at 11:12 am
Robin Martin
Thank you for this! I almost always start with a title popping into my head.
January 14, 2023 at 11:21 am
Joyce
This like getting a fun homework assignment. Thanks, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 11:22 am
Melissa Taylor
What a clever way to get story ideas — thank you for so many Mad Lib title prompts. Love them!!
January 14, 2023 at 11:32 am
jillburns7
Wow! This is such a great and helpful post!
January 14, 2023 at 11:52 am
Kara Plett
So helpful!
January 14, 2023 at 11:58 am
karenhenryclark
Your fill-in-the-blank title system is already working for me.
January 14, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Diana Murrell
This is such a fun idea! The possibilities are endless! Thanks for the inspiration!
January 14, 2023 at 12:09 pm
clairebobrow
The grouping of titles by category is genius – so helpful and inspiring! My brain started whirring immediately. Thanks for this excellent post, Diana!
January 14, 2023 at 12:33 pm
🇵🇪 Sara Fajardo 🇺🇸 is wrestling with words (@safajarwrites)
Great title ideas. Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Lindsey Hobson
I love starting with a title. Great examples!
January 14, 2023 at 12:55 pm
Mara K Lansky
My library is four walls of categories! I would freak out if it was organized by colors. lol.
January 14, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Doreen Tango Hampton
For me…title, then manuscript…always. That said, I have tons of clever, quirky titles followed by tons of nothing:)
January 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Donna Rossman
Love this – great technique full of fun! Many thanks! 😊
January 14, 2023 at 1:12 pm
claireannette1
Wow! This is an amazing post. I’ll be working on this one for a year. And – I like categories too. I rearranged my books by color and after taking some photos, I’m putting them back the way they were.
January 14, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Ashley Sierra (@AshleySierra06)
This sounds like such a fun exercise. Thanks for all the work you did for this post.
I have an MS with a tidy character, like your daughter!
January 14, 2023 at 2:40 pm
viviankirkfield
LOVE this Storystorm post!!!! And love you, Diana! Thank you for pulling this all together for us!
January 14, 2023 at 2:46 pm
Darcee A Freier
Wow! Who realized there were so many different types of titles? Thanks for cataloging so many! (Sometimes I’m stuck with limited imagination.)
January 14, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Haley Thomas
Love all the ideas for brainstorming titles. Thank you for sharing!
January 14, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Heather Lee
You clearly put a ton of work into this post and I loved every word. I had a blast playing with the examples you gave us! Thanks so much!
January 14, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Categorically, a great post !
January 14, 2023 at 3:28 pm
brittanypomales
This is a fantastic post, Diana. One of my favorites among the past years. Glad I could play a small part.
January 14, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Sarah Hetu-Radny
I really feel like a purple book right now. 😆 Great post thank you Diana. I think my favorite are the titles that start with “don’t!” Can’t wait to see what I come up with!
January 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Sandy Lowe
Title give me trouble so I’m glad to have some fun exercises Thanks!
January 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Annette Martin
I am a list person, so this brainstorming method speaks to me. Tons of ideas! Thank you for the time you invested in this post! 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Pamela Harrison
I love these tips! As I read each tip, my smile grew and grew. Thank you for these wonderful idea generators!
January 14, 2023 at 4:02 pm
Laura Bower
Wow – such a comprehensive, great example filled post! I want to challenge myself to think of a title in each of the categories you listed. Thanks for the inspiration Diana and congrats on all of your amazing books!
January 14, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Susan Jobsky
Wow! My brain is buzzin with possibilities!
January 14, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Sara Weingartner
Thank you, Diana! Amazing list for inspiration!! And my daughter rainbow-tized my book shelves too!!!! (Although mine were not categorized by any means.)
January 14, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Sasha
Thank you, Diana, for making title creation a little easier!
January 14, 2023 at 4:49 pm
marybeningo
These title suggestions have really jumpstarted my brain! I am definitely saving this post – thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 5:37 pm
J. Brianne Jahn
Oh, this exercise hurt my brain! I really needed it because titles are the hardest for me. I usually come up with a title last.
January 14, 2023 at 6:09 pm
Lynn Alpert
I love your title exercises! Thank you.
January 14, 2023 at 6:10 pm
Pam Gelman
I so relate to your post. Whenever things feel chaotic, I turn to structure. These categories of titles are so helpful!
January 14, 2023 at 6:14 pm
michellesteinberg
Several of my picture book manuscripts started with the title. Thanks for the Mad Lib approach to titles.
January 14, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Melissa Chupp
Thanks for the post. Sometimes titles come to me before I have any idea what the story is about.
January 14, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Tonnye Fletcher
Holy WOW! If we can’t find some ideas brewing from this post, we might need to retire our pens/computers! Ideas are swirling!!! Thank you so much, Diana! What an amazing brainstorming list . . .
January 14, 2023 at 6:45 pm
stephaniemstories
Great idea to madlib a title for inspiration
January 14, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Mary Zychowicz
Oh, you sound so much like me! I have piles of papers and “stuff” all over my house. Not neat, but definitely categorized. And your sweet daughter! Oh, I’m still chuckling about her color coded organization. That’s so funny! Thank you for this post and the exercises! I’m going to print this page off and put it in my writer’s toolbox.
January 14, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Maria Antonia
Love the idea of using mad libs. So fun!
January 14, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Shawna Tenney
Wow! This list is brilliant! Thank you for seeing the patterns and thinking of this amazing list!
January 14, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Amanda
You really are the category queen! That was a lot of types of picture book titles!
January 16, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Diana Murray
I might have gone overboard a bit. LOL!! I had to stop myself from going on and on.
January 14, 2023 at 7:15 pm
matthewlasley
I am not a very organized person, but when it comes to Storystorm, excel is my friend. Sheets for each year. Sheets for genres. Sheets for titles. Sheets for fun word play or phrases. Sheets for characters. And the list goes on…..
January 14, 2023 at 7:48 pm
jenabenton
Wow! This was a great post! Thank you Diana. I think I have a ton of title ideas now. =D
January 14, 2023 at 8:13 pm
R.G. Spaulding
This is awesome. Thanks for categorizing and presenting to us.
January 14, 2023 at 9:11 pm
Christine M Irvin
I usually come up with titles before anything else. I love your categorization technique. I think I can put that to good use. Thanks for share!
January 14, 2023 at 9:16 pm
ljtouche
This was an absolutely amazing, super inspiring post. Thank you. My brain is swirling with tons of titles thanks to this writing exercise. I love Grimelda and can’t wait to check out your other work. -Lori Laniewski
January 14, 2023 at 9:19 pm
Shannon LaPuma
Thank you for the time you put into this post and for the fun inspiration! I am off to do a Mad Lib! 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 9:52 pm
madhu
Love all the ways to get to a title. Thank you for sharing!
January 14, 2023 at 9:54 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
OMG what an awesome list of categories! I honestly never thought about titles as being in groupings like that. Such a great way to think about it. I also usually think of my titles first, but I love this idea to start brainstorming about them in a new way. Also, thanks for shouting out both BRAINSTORM! and WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW in your examples! Mmmmmwahhhh! xoxo
January 16, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Diana Murray
Hi Rebecca! I’m trying to think if I usually think of titles first. Hmmm. I think maybe I start with the title about 50% of the time. 😀 (Love your post, too, btw!!)
January 14, 2023 at 10:04 pm
Michele Helsel
Wow this is great! I got so many ideas! Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Wowser!!! This is a goldmine. Thanks for including THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT! I love seeing your successes and reading your books!
January 16, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Diana Murray
Thanks for stopping by, Penny! I love seeing your success, too!! 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 10:21 pm
Manju Beth Howard 🌻 (@ManjuBeth)
Thanks for sharing your title research. GRIMELDA THE VERY MESSY WITCH is still one my favorite PBs.
January 16, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Diana Murray
Thank you, Manju! 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 10:22 pm
Ana Kelly
Wowzers! I’ll never look at at title in quite the same way! Love this exercise! Thank you, Diana 🙂
January 14, 2023 at 10:38 pm
Adriana Gutierrez
Title Mad Lib!?!? Fun!
January 14, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Christina Dankert
This will be a blog post I refer to when I’m stuck! What a great list and I love the idea of treating this like a mad lib exercise. Thank you!
January 14, 2023 at 10:54 pm
Liz Godfrey
Diana – thanks for the mother lode of ideas! Titles are an amazing launch point!
January 14, 2023 at 11:31 pm
angiecal76
What a clever exercise to generate so many story ideas. Thanks, Diana!
January 15, 2023 at 12:33 am
Janet Frenck Sheets
Oh, I like this way of categorizing titles! I’m particularly fond of unexpected pairings, which probably reflects the fact that my favorite books both surprise me and make me laugh.
January 15, 2023 at 12:40 am
Angela Turner
What a great way to get some ideas going!
January 15, 2023 at 12:51 am
Kaye Baillie
This information is so amazing, I’ve printed it out! Thankyou Diana. It’s very generous of you to give such easy to follow categories and examples. I love it!
January 15, 2023 at 1:00 am
Bettie Boswell
Wonder ideas about using titles!
January 15, 2023 at 1:01 am
Bettie Boswell
Wonderful ideas about using titles!
January 15, 2023 at 1:26 am
Elayne
I organize all my picture books (but only my picture books) by color because I always picture covers and don’t always immediately remember author names or titles, so I had to laugh at your daughter’s method. She can come help me organize my shelves anytime! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these great ideas–esp. when brainstorming titles! (A perennial problem for so many of us!)
January 15, 2023 at 1:29 am
Elayne
I organize my picture book shelves (and only my picture book shelves) by color because the spines are so tiny, and I can usually remember what the book looks like, even if I can’t always remember the author or exact title. Your daughter can come help me organize my shelves anytime! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these great ideas–esp. when brainstorming titles! (A perennial problem for so many of us!)
January 15, 2023 at 1:33 am
roberta abussi
There is only one word for this post: WOW! I had 500 ideas and they keep coming!!! Thank you SO SO SO SO SO SO SO much for taking the time to share all of this with us.
January 15, 2023 at 7:19 am
Colleen Dabney
What a _____list!!! Fabulous! Thanks! I also have a daughter who color codes her books.
January 15, 2023 at 10:06 am
catchandi
Oh my goodness, I resonate with this so much. I’m incredibly messy, but refer to the mess as “organized chaos” because everything is technically in a category! I LOVE the title categories you’ve taken the time to write down, SO HELPFUL! Thank you!!
January 15, 2023 at 10:23 am
cravevsworld
Thank you, Diana for this functionally inspirational post. It has single-handedly produced more ideas than any other. Much appreciated.
January 15, 2023 at 10:25 am
Laura Wippell
Thank you so much for sharing these ideas, Diana! I’ve internalised that the story always comes first, and the title is something you should come up with at the very end, so this is such a fun, new way to come up with fresh ideas! Very helpful!
January 15, 2023 at 11:07 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Rhyme on a dime.
January 15, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Thank you, Diana. This is a great dull day activity!
January 15, 2023 at 12:47 pm
cbloomy
Wow! This is an amazing list of ideas! Thank you, Diana.
January 15, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Using MadLibs is a great idea. I love putting things into categories, too!
January 15, 2023 at 1:12 pm
tinefg
Thank you Diana, Wow! What a treasure trove of title brainstorming ideas (I love mad libs!) What a great exercise to prime the pump…maybe something to do with my critique group too, hmmm. See, you’ve got the ideas flowing already.
January 15, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Bonnie Kelso
Wow! I love this post. I never thought about how titles are categorized this way. Thanks, Diana!
January 15, 2023 at 1:37 pm
debbiemoeller
Often the title comes first for me and then I ponder the direction I want the ms to take. I never thought about categorizing the titles. I’m going to start a document and see where my ideas lie, and if I favor one category more than others. This is a great resource. Thanks!
January 15, 2023 at 1:53 pm
trunkythetree
Your prompts are amazing and maybe one day I will be organised too
January 15, 2023 at 2:43 pm
Cassie Bentley
I know your pain when you saw your books sorted by color. I tried it with my books and couldn’t find anything either. I put them back into my own categories.
I got ideas from the categorization of titles, your use of mad libs for ideas, and that you mentioned that your daughter is or might be an imposter because she’s the opposite of you. Thank you.
January 15, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Caitlin Binder-Markey
My kids recently got into Mad Libs and I forgot the joy it brings! Love this idea, thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2023 at 2:53 pm
JoLynne Ricker Whalen
What a great post on coming up with titles! Thanks for sharing!!!
January 15, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Deb
I totally agree with you it can sometimes be easier starting with a title and creating from there. Especially if it’s something that may be sitting in an area of your brain. Thank you for giving these ideas!
January 15, 2023 at 3:23 pm
ktlicense - Kris Tarantino
This is amazing! So very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
January 15, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Dani Duck
Umm, what cleaning chores? I have too many ideas to come up with to do this cleaning thing!
January 15, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Wendy Greenley
This post brought to mind a silly rhyming title I had written down–I think it’s time for that story to be written. Thanks for so many great prompts, Diana!
January 15, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Lucy Staugler
Diana,
WOW! WOW! WOW! Amazing post full of inspiration!
Thank you!
January 15, 2023 at 5:38 pm
Emily
Love these categories!
January 15, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Rita Jane
My, oh, my, Diana! Thank you for all this food for thought! Your list kept on going and therefore do did mine! Really excited to try out some of these!
January 15, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Sarah Lynne John
so many fun ideas! thanks!
January 15, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Jennie H
I absolutely love thinking up titles! Never studied titles in this way though. Thank you for the valuable insight!
January 15, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Kate Holley
Colors and categories are two relaxing and stress relieving things here in the same post. I’m truly inspired. I keep looking at the photo of your organized books for eye candy. Thank you for the title ideas – although they are more like a mini writing class.
January 15, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Melissa Koosmann
You’ve got my brain buzzing! Thanks!
January 15, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Rebecca Van Slyke
*runs to add these fill-in titles to my idea list!
January 15, 2023 at 7:56 pm
Ali V. (they/them)
Love this! Now I’ll see everything in categories
January 15, 2023 at 8:47 pm
Jeannette Suhr
Thank you, Diana, for this wonderful list of categories and their associated books. It has already generated a number of story ideas for me. Thank you for your time and best wishes for continued success with your writing.
January 15, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Sue (Susan Uhlig) (she/her) (@susanuhlig)
Lots of great ideas!
January 15, 2023 at 10:48 pm
Janet Smart
Such great ideas to play around with. Thanks so much!
January 15, 2023 at 10:54 pm
badwolf1625
Thanks for all the potential suggestions.
January 15, 2023 at 11:14 pm
Ginny Neil
I am so in love with this idea. I have four or five titles already in mind just from a quick scan of the list. By the way, I organize exactly the way you do. I never realized that might be why I like writing in rhyme.
January 15, 2023 at 11:17 pm
littleseedsread
I’m still laughing about your daughter organizing your books by color! Your Mad Lib approach to creating titles is brilliant. I can hardly wait to try it out. Thank you!
January 15, 2023 at 11:28 pm
kidlitgail
Holy Moley, this was so fun! Mad Libs and picture book titles-awesome!
January 16, 2023 at 12:33 am
Heather Riccio
What a fun exercise to try! I can’t wait to dive in more and come up with some brilliant titles for new picture books.
January 16, 2023 at 1:20 am
staceygustafson
Thanks for sharing your endless title ideas. This triggered more story ideas!
January 16, 2023 at 2:25 am
amomnextdoor
Love the title breakdown and examples!
January 16, 2023 at 3:46 am
Jane Martin
I love fun titles! Thanks so much for this list.
January 16, 2023 at 7:49 am
Beth Elliott
This post really will be a reference tool for years to come. Thank you, Diana!
January 16, 2023 at 8:28 am
effiekoliopoulos
Haha the last part is too true for me.. cleaning chores still await! I always start off with titles first 🙂 thanks for this helpful list!
January 16, 2023 at 9:16 am
Melissa McDaniel
So much fun! Thanks, Diana!
January 16, 2023 at 9:17 am
Erica Jensen Shiflet
This really, really resonated with me! I find titles to be a digestible way to start, and something that provides just a tiny bit of structure and guidance to move forward with. I love your categories and will revisit this post again for inspiration! Thank you!
January 16, 2023 at 9:41 am
Jamie Bills
What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it out! I love your Unicorn books and can’t wait to read Mermaid Day!
January 16, 2023 at 9:51 am
Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman)
Thanks Diana! I’m messy too. I will have fun messing around with titles.
January 16, 2023 at 11:24 am
Louise M. Aamodt
I love the tangible examples following each section. This was incredibly helpful!
January 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Monty Harper
I love this list! I’m keeping it for future reference. Thanks!
January 16, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Christine Fleming McIsaac
Oh my! Bookmarking this post. So many good ways to brainstorm for titles that could be great ideas. Thank you!!!
January 16, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Danette
I think this is the most helpful Storystorm post I have ever read! Most of my story ideas come as titles first.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
January 16, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Colleen
What amazing ideas! Talk about categories and an ingenuous way of creating titles! Thank you so much!!!
January 16, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Erik Ammon
Oh, I love all those title ideas! They’ll definitely help create some story ideas, too! Thank you!
January 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Donna Marx
Love the connection between categories and titles. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
January 16, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Shirley fadden
Beautiful books and titles! Thank you!
January 16, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Elizabeth Kalasinsky
Thanks for this fun post!
January 16, 2023 at 5:37 pm
Jennifer Kennedy
Thank you so much for all this inspiration! One of the first picture book manuscripts I ever wrote was inspired by a title idea (character name with rhyme and pun), so I’m partial to this method.
January 16, 2023 at 5:45 pm
Michelle Cusolito
WOW! So many possibilities with this post!
January 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm
Franny G
Great post. I think I need to categorise more to contain the chaos!
January 16, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Jen Subra
I gonna have to cut and paste all these great categories and titles into their own document! Great idea starters!
January 16, 2023 at 5:55 pm
mindfulmiro
Thanks for all the inspiration!!
January 16, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Jill Lambert
Love the titles exercise and can’t wait to see what they inspire. Thank you, Diana!
January 16, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Christine Graham
That titles exercise is great! Thanks!
January 16, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Christine Graham
That titles exercise is gold!
January 16, 2023 at 8:55 pm
abby mumford
Titles are not my strong suit, so what better way to get better at them than to practice?? And generate some ideas why I’m at it?!? Brilliant stuff!
January 16, 2023 at 9:47 pm
Kari Lavelle
Saving this post for inspiration later – thank you so much!
January 16, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Peggy Archer
What a great breakdown of titles! Keeping this for future inspiration. 🙂
January 16, 2023 at 11:30 pm
Lisa M. Horn
Love your titles exercise! I love that a title can spark a story! Thanks, Diana!
January 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm
jenwritespbs
This is great! Thank you! I just tried it, and it works. I’m behind on ideas this month, so using this exercise is sure to get me caught up.
January 17, 2023 at 12:34 am
pjaegly
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions for coming up with new titles and stories. Like you, I organize my books by category and would be very confused to divide books by color.
January 17, 2023 at 3:14 am
Suhasini Gupta
Thank goodness, I stumbled upon this post. My brain got stormed with categories of ideas and titles. Thanks for sharing how useful categorization could be with so many examples. This is amazing!
January 17, 2023 at 7:46 am
Cynthia Ning
Hi Diana,
Thank you for sharing your story and post about your daughter’s organisation skills (wow!) and your own about categorising items for them to make sense for you. My little sister helped me declutter and would always ask how I would like things to be organised and similarly, I would go for categories as it makes identifying books and physical items easier!
Her other great talent is for giving honest advice which was to get rid of more stuff! I’m happy that some great books will be donated and hopefully find a home that will cherish them.
Day 13 ideas down.
Cynthia x
January 17, 2023 at 8:59 am
elisederstine
An incredibly helpful exercise! Thanks so much, Diana.
January 17, 2023 at 10:46 am
Ali Oxtoby
Titles are so important!
January 17, 2023 at 10:46 am
Laura
Thank you for this post! I need categories! I appreciate the perspective here!
January 17, 2023 at 11:31 am
Jennifer Roman
Lists, categories, piles — I agree. The only way to make sense of chaos 🙂
January 17, 2023 at 12:25 pm
kristinscollins
Wow! So many great ideas in this post. Thank you so much! This post was so informative and inspiring that I came up with 49 new titles while reading it!
January 17, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Dawn M.
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing.
January 17, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Elizabeth Wilcox Saba
Thank you Diana! I love the way you organized your titles. I appreciate the excercise.
January 17, 2023 at 2:19 pm
tharvey
Love these ideas! I often come up with a title first – usually a pun.
January 17, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Lisa Chow
Titles. What a simple and brilliant way to generate ideas.!
January 17, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Nicole Loos Miller
Love all the categories of titles and the inspiration they can provide! Thank you for sharing!
January 17, 2023 at 3:19 pm
Susan F Good
I love all the different categories of titles! A wonderful way to generate a special title!
January 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Eva Felder
Dear Diana (which is also my daughter’s name,)
For a person that is messy, you sure gave us a major lesson in being organized.
This post is so clever, awesome, and loaded with information; I feel that I enrolled in a Master Program.
Lots of work ahead of me, thanks for the great inspiration!
January 17, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Parvati Patil
Diana! You have shared SO many wonderful ideas to kickstart more ideas. Thank you!!
January 17, 2023 at 4:15 pm
libbydemmon
My cleaning chores are generally the excuse I give myself for not writing. This list is going in my notebook right now, and I don’t even care that the floor needs vacuuming.
January 17, 2023 at 4:48 pm
amckelle
Thank you Diana, this post not only springboarded ideas, but loaded up my library requests. I’m off to read and write!
January 17, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Amanda Z
What an inspiring post! I love your categories!
January 17, 2023 at 5:02 pm
doristone
Diana, This was a fabulous post. My mind is now overflowing with title ideas. Thank you!
January 17, 2023 at 5:07 pm
Jayne Wilson
I just wanted to say thanks ever so much for an incredible post. It took me 5 writing sessions to do all your prompts. Out of it I got 3 draft manuscripts & 115 ideas to write about. I’m so grateful to & for you! Thank you for giving us such a gift! Take care! ❤️
January 17, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Kristi Mahoney
This is such a fantastic post! Personally, I love categories so this really resonated with me. Thanks so much, Diana!
January 17, 2023 at 6:03 pm
Debbi G
Thanks for all of the title categories and examples. This is great inspiration!
January 17, 2023 at 6:36 pm
Caitlin
Aahahaaha, the color coded bookshelf is very definitely Instagram worthy! I love it but I’m sorry that happened to you – annoying for sure. Thanks for all the title categories. As a child of the 90s, MadLibs is my jam but I never thought of how to use that style of idea generation to unlock new stories. So fun! I’m brimming over with thoughts now and can’t wait to explore some of these in greater detail later. Yay!
January 17, 2023 at 8:34 pm
Barbara Senenman
Love these title categories! Thinking of a title is a great jumping off point. You don’t have to keep the title, but it does get you started. Now it’s time for me to get started. Thank you.
January 17, 2023 at 8:56 pm
Hank Dallago
I have a ton of titles but have not thought about them in this way, nor organized them into these types of categories. Similar to the hundreds of character’s names stored on my phone over the years to use in my upcoming stories. Great idea!
January 17, 2023 at 11:31 pm
Noelle McBride
Ooh! Now I want to reorganize my books by title! Thanks for another way to brainstorm!
January 17, 2023 at 11:49 pm
Jane Dippold
Thanks for the great post -Start with a title and go!
January 18, 2023 at 12:51 am
Bella Haeusel
Dang, this list was ridiculously helpful and got all the juices flowing (which in and of itself feels like it’d be an interesting concept for a book). Thank you 🙂
January 18, 2023 at 8:59 am
Anne Young
Oh my! There’s hours of work/fun here. Thanks, Diana.
January 18, 2023 at 10:36 am
annmdk
Very practical, strong suggestions. Thank you!
January 18, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Laura Renauld
What a fun way to brainstorm!
January 18, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Melissa Trempe
I got so many great ideas using your title brainstorming strategy! THANK YOU!
January 18, 2023 at 2:01 pm
Michelle S Kennedy
haha! Mad Libs… Now THAT takes me back!!! I used to LOVE those! Thanks for the great and inspirational ideas.
January 18, 2023 at 2:31 pm
Nancy Kotkin
What a great way to brainstorm! So much fun and I AM avoiding my cleaning chores at the same time.
January 18, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ann Page
Diana, I just LOVE the title categories! What a great tool for brainstorming titles and story ideas. Can’t wait to try it out.
January 18, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Clement, Laura
I’ll be chewing on this post for a while. Thank you!
January 18, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Tanya Svec
I think the more you try, the more fun you’d have! I’ll get my Mad Libs title generator going soon. Thank you!
January 18, 2023 at 4:25 pm
juliannahelt
I don’t think I’ve ever generated this many ideas from one post before. Thank you!
January 18, 2023 at 5:27 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Thanks for the inspiration, Diana!
January 18, 2023 at 6:04 pm
catlady45
This has given me so many ideas! Thank you!!
January 18, 2023 at 6:18 pm
Marilyn Wolpin
So much to unpack here. Thanks for the inspiration and for all your books. So many books, so little time.
January 18, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Ashley Karges
Thank you for these wonderful ideas! Your reorganized bookshelf – Yikes! What a helpful little sweetie you have. (I have one of those too) 🙂
January 18, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Kimberly Laura
I love this I use mad libs all the time but have never thought of it for writing. (Kimberly Laura)
January 18, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Lisa Billa
Thanks for a post filled with inspiration! So many fun story starting points! I’ll be coming back to re-read this.
January 19, 2023 at 11:25 am
Kyle McBride
Very insightful. Thank you!
January 19, 2023 at 11:37 am
calliebdean
This is a fabulous way to think about picture book titles. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while!
January 19, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Rebecca Guzinski
LOVE Grimelda! Today’s post feels like a freebie for writers. You gave so many ideas to fill in the blank to spark not only titles, but ideas. Thank you!
January 19, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Tess weaver
My heavens! This is such a comprehensive and inspiring post. Thank you so much! I loved reading your many fill- in-the-blank categories. And, I felt your pain when seeing your books arranged by color. It’s the same way I feel when a decorating show arranges books with the spines facing the back of the shelves–crazy! Thank you for sharing your experiences and the categories along with samples books we can look up. Fabulous!
January 19, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Penny Taub
WOW! What a fabulous article. I never saw a training on types of PB titles. Love the title LOVE STINKS. Can’t wait to read your incredible collection of books. Go girl!
January 19, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Anita Palmeri Overgaard
This was fantastic!! So simple , yet so helpful! Thank you for including so many examples, too!
January 19, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Angela De Groot
Thanks for the fun, fill in the blanks, title inspiration.
January 19, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Debra Katz
I love all the categories and examples of titles.
January 19, 2023 at 8:14 pm
awearneauthor
Mad Libs are AWESOME!! We have two books in our van for road trips. I am also controlled chaos or organized chaos. I love your idea of categorizing your picture books. Thank you for the examples (more pb’s to read). Now I have 20 ideas.
Andi Wearne
January 19, 2023 at 10:50 pm
Dana Atnip
Thank you Diana for the treasure chest of inspiration!
January 20, 2023 at 9:19 am
Keith R Harrell
I’m working on an idea right now based on the name of a hotel that I came across while on vacation.
January 20, 2023 at 10:16 am
Joy Pitcairn
This is an amazing idea! Thanks, Diana!
January 20, 2023 at 10:42 am
Naja Lund Aparico
Thank you for this fun read, Diana. Never thought of titles this way!
January 20, 2023 at 11:40 am
suzannepoulterharris
What a fun, inspirational exercise! No doubt I’ll revisit this post many times.
January 20, 2023 at 2:51 pm
naturewalkwithgod
What a great presentation of titles to inspire us and a spin on Mad Libs to put us to work. Thank you, Diana! –Kim Peterson
January 20, 2023 at 3:28 pm
susaninez0905
Wow! This was great. So many ideas sprang to mind. Thank you for the inspiration. 🙂
January 20, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Rafael Macho
always inspiring how ideas are created by others!
January 20, 2023 at 6:07 pm
allyenz
This is a mind-blowing categorization of titles, and a genuinely helpful and novel approach to brainstorming. Perfection! How generous of you to share this with us! I love it.
January 20, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Zoraida Rivera
Thanks, Diana, for so many ideas. I will reread for sure! Success to you.
January 20, 2023 at 9:09 pm
aidantalkin
What a wonderfully inspirational post!
And I’ll add that as a very visual illustrator, my books are shelved by colour – not for IG – but because I DO think of that “blue book” better than remember an author’s name! Only real downside is it means all my Oliver Jeffers books aren’t in one place =)
January 20, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Elizabeth Metz
I’ve definitely used this tactic before, but I LOVE your comprehensive list of types of titles, Diana. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 9:07 am
Jeanette
WOW, your email has given me a HUGE SOUP of IDEAS!!!!!! Thank you so very much xxx Clearly your categorizing works for me ❤
January 21, 2023 at 9:09 am
Jeanette
WOW Your email has given me a HUGE SOUP OF IDEAS!!! Thank you soooo much xxx Clearly your categorizing works for me ❤
January 21, 2023 at 10:32 am
Jennifer Hunt
What a neat title process-never looked at it like that before!
January 21, 2023 at 11:20 am
msaraiva004
Wow, what an exhaustive list! I’m taking copious notes over here. And I love the MadLibs analogy because it reminds us that this process is play. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Paula VE
I love the title organization, and the potential for generating ideas. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 11:32 pm
sharonkdal
SO many titles! SO many ideas! Thank you. Categorizing over cleaning any day!
January 22, 2023 at 12:35 am
Maria Bostian
Oh, I got so many ideas! Thank you so much!
January 22, 2023 at 10:57 am
LaurenKerstein
I’m so excited to play around with this clever strategy! Thanks, Diana!
January 22, 2023 at 2:22 pm
topangamaria
Categorically great advice.
January 23, 2023 at 10:47 am
Judy Sobanski
I often come up with a title first. These are great suggestions for thinking up titles to start things rolling!
January 23, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Patti Ranson
I have found that researching idioms will also ‘season’ my title ideas:) Thank you for the great title brainstorming ideas!
January 23, 2023 at 10:45 pm
kaleegwarjanski
This was so much fun! I loved going through your prompts. I have bookmarked to come back to over and over again.
January 24, 2023 at 10:17 am
shyrelle
This is awesome! Often I think of the Title first before writing the story. I love good pun or hook in just the title alone and all of these ideas to generate titles were fantastic. Ty so much for your help and I would love to be considered for your generous critique:)
January 24, 2023 at 10:37 am
marias62
A couple of my PB manuscripts also started from a title inspiration. Many of their titles have evolved since the first draft, but like you, this is one of the ways I come up with new ideas. Thank you for sharing your fun prompts!
January 24, 2023 at 9:19 pm
JEN Garrett
One time I had set up a game that made sense to me, but the colors didn’t match, so a helpful toddler rearranged my game for me. Amid an apologizing parent, the toddler and I came to an understanding – I would switch my way of thinking because otherwise he wouldn’t play my game!
January 25, 2023 at 1:47 am
Toni Weeks
The categories are so helpful, and so is the reminder that we can start with the title!
January 25, 2023 at 11:17 am
Meredith Fraser
Wonderful ideas and story starters.
Love the matrix for various theme categories.
Thanks
January 25, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Jane Heitman Healy
Thanks, Diana! You have single-handedly gotten me to the StoryStorm number of ideas finish line! (Of course, I will keep going.) Thanks!
January 25, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Marta Costello
Reminds me to revisit a MS that came to me through a word with a double meaning, thank you! Sometimes thinking of titles is hardest thing and sometimes it’s the jumping off point
January 25, 2023 at 10:45 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Love this post! Thank you.
January 26, 2023 at 2:03 am
Eileen Mayo
This is such helpful and constructive information. Thank you for all the useful information. By the way, I love that your kids rearranged your books in color order. I would have totally done that as a kid!
January 26, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Ellen Leventhal
Thank you so much! This was chock full of information that I will be using!
January 26, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Brian Burak
Just an amazing post. I can’t believe how many good ideas you packed into this! Thank you so much!
January 26, 2023 at 3:37 pm
JC
What a great post, thank you for adding in the title name activities, looks like I’m going to have a lot of fun with that!
January 26, 2023 at 9:42 pm
Amy M. Miller
Oh. My. Gosh. Title Mad Libs is super smart! Thanks for being such a smart cookie and sharing your categories, Diane.
January 27, 2023 at 12:43 am
cozysnoozeshelf
The best exercise ever. I love categories too. Thank you!
Sent from my iPad
>
January 27, 2023 at 10:25 am
ptnozell
I love starting with titles and categorizing everything. Thanks for sharing your title-generation ideas, Diane.
January 28, 2023 at 12:44 pm
Susan
Thanks for this inspiring post. I resisted the temptation to frame my comments in titles.
January 28, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Aimee Hiura
This was the most informative and helpful post! Thanks so much!
January 28, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Viviane Elbee
Thank you for the great brainstorming ideas!
January 28, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Kamilla Sjödin
I like categorizing (is that just human nature?) to get my head around something. But I also find that categorizing ends up being inadequate to fully tap into the creative potential. Somewhat contradictory, I know! I love thinking about the categories listed in the blog!
January 28, 2023 at 9:05 pm
Angie
Wow! So many great ideas! Thank you! This post is a resource!
January 29, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Susie Sawyer
I love this post!!! SO many of my story ideas come from a title that pops into my head unexpectedly, but I love this list of idea/title generators! I’ll be printing this off and thanking you every time I use it, Diana!!
February 18, 2023 at 1:07 am
Diana Murray
Yay! Thanks for stopping by, Susie! 🙂
January 29, 2023 at 3:57 pm
sylviaichen
Yes! This post is so great for title brainstorming, thank you!!
January 29, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Aimee Larke
I usually start my idea with a title! Thank you for this post!
January 29, 2023 at 7:54 pm
Janel Caverly
What a great way to create engaging titles and endearing stories. Thank you so much!
January 29, 2023 at 8:25 pm
René Bartos
Wow! This post is filled with so many great title brainstorming ideas. I definitely will go back to this again and again for inspiration. Thanks so much Diana!
January 29, 2023 at 8:34 pm
Kris Hamblin
Great ideas!
January 30, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Johanna Peyton
Diana, this is so wonderful. Thank you!
January 31, 2023 at 12:16 am
Kristin Sawyer
Wow! So much brainstorming potential! Not only are the categories themselves great, but then the fun of mixing them! Thank you.
January 31, 2023 at 1:22 am
Amanda
An engaging title makes all the difference, and can even be a great source of inspiration to get story ideas flowing. Thank you for this list of suggestions to begin the brainstorming process.
January 31, 2023 at 4:09 am
Rebecca van den Ham
So many fun new ideas! Thanks!
January 31, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Deb McGarvey
What fun! Thanks for these categories and a new way of thinking of story ideas.
January 31, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Maritza Ruiz-Kim
Thanks for these prompts! I’m gonna hold onto them because this is the kind of thing that works for my brain. Thanks, Diana! 🙂
January 31, 2023 at 2:41 pm
colleenrkosinski
I might have to get myself a mad lib book!
January 31, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This was such a fun post! I love this idea of Mad Libs but with titles. Such a great way to generate ideas. Thank you for sharing!
January 31, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Megan McNamara
I did come up with a great idea once by doing the title first. Thanks for reminding me!
January 31, 2023 at 7:53 pm
Corey King
Holy crap! I’ve got some organizing to do! Very inspiring!!
January 31, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Alexis_Bookdragon
I’ve got at least two fun ideas from this prompt! I love all of these title ideas. And now I have tons more books to read too.
January 31, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Ben Jeder
Love this recipe for crafting titles. Such good, simple ways to prompt the imagination. Never Verb a Noun, How to Verb a Noun made me LOL
January 31, 2023 at 10:48 pm
KamillaM
Thanks for this story! Kamilla Milligan, Writer (she/her) kamillamilligan.com
February 1, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Joni Nemeth
Bookmarking/saving this post! (Yes, I am more than a little late – January was…a MONTH!)
February 2, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Jes Trudel
Not sure if I’m too late to comment. Every year I forget to comment on all the posts. I’ll post late this year and hope for the best. 🙂 Thanks for a great month Tara and guests!
February 2, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Bhandi
That’s a good way to come up with ideas! I’ve never sorted titles like this. Thank you!
February 2, 2023 at 11:22 pm
Jocelyn Rish
Picture books have the BEST titles! And thanks for including Battle of the Butts – it gave me thrill to see it mentioned in a post with so many books I love and admire.
February 18, 2023 at 1:05 am
Diana Murray
It’s a great title! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Jocelyn
February 3, 2023 at 12:30 am
Keeping the Me in Mommy
Wonderful prompts!
February 3, 2023 at 5:50 am
Bronte Colbert
This was extremely helpful to me as I’m continuing to play with ideas, titles, and more. Thank you!
February 5, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Judy Abelove Shemtob
Your generosity in providing many categories with published examples is giving us many areas in which to play. Thanks for inspiring us, Diana Murray.
February 7, 2023 at 9:36 am
Kaela Parkhouse
Thanks for the writing exercise! 😀
February 7, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Kelly Vavala
I love your categories and your colors! Thank you for sharing a new way for titles!
February 13, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Dea Brayden
Just the post I needed this evening. Off to go have some mad libs title fun! Thank you!