Of all the darlings I\u2019ve had to kill over the course of the edits, this is the biggest; I have to rename Softening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My work in progress has been called Softening from day one. In every meditation class in the world ever, participants are instructed to soften into their experience. What\u2019s more, the title relates directly to the novel\u2019s worldview – everyone softens. Difficult characters are kind and amusing characters have hidden depths. I love the title Softening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly, when the book was critiqued by an experienced romantic fiction writer<\/a>, the title was immediately flagged up as an issue. For floaty light meditation aficionados, softening evokes relaxation, blurred edges and being in touch with the emotions. For avid readers of romantic fiction it evokes the wilting, shrivelling and slackening of something that was previous hard. I\u2019ve named my book after a drooping erection. Oops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, as difficult as it is, Softening has to go in favour of something with less potential for misunderstanding. Flaccid imagery is out. Neutral statements with no sexual overtones are in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve dreamt up the following potential titles for the novel-formerly-known-as-softening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Love And Distraction<\/p>\n\n\n\n Awareness For Beginners<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside Looking In<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Spaces In Between<\/p>\n\n\n\n In This Moment, Together<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beautiful Moments<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Such Thing As Not Knowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Naming Of Things<\/p>\n\n\n\n The World As It Is<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n And here are some names I should avoid<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zesty Pillows <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs Jones\u2019s Love Tunnel<\/p>\n\n\n\n Droopy Rods<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n None of those names are as good as Softening (which I still, and always will love). The provisional title is now \u2018Love And Distraction\u2019 – an obvious play on love and attraction. I\u2019m mysteriously drawn to \u2018Droopy Rods\u2019 though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo by Sandy Millar<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Of all the darlings I\u2019ve had to kill over the course of the edits, this is the biggest; I have to rename Softening. My work in progress has been called Softening from day one. In every meditation class in the world ever, participants are instructed to soften into their experience. What\u2019s more, the title relates 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renames<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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