Title Ponderings: Not As Easy As It Seems

Photo by Tim Zurowsky

kazzysponderings.blogspot.com

With hot coffee in hand and two sleeping West Highland White terriers on the couch this morning, I ponder the book I’ve written and rewritten it five times. I’ve studied how to write a proposal. I’ve written a proposal.  I’ve studied how to write a query letter.  I’ve sent the latest manuscript to readers for comment. Several people are doing edits. I’ve queried multiple literary agents. I’m building a platform. So what now? Now I need a cover page.

I’ve pondered a cover idea for months. This morning got an idea.

I pictured a photo I took in Sebastopol of a path leading into the woods on a soft, foggy day.  Something about that photo intrigues me.  It suggests a journey. My story is a journey.

Then I thought about Teensy, the fledging sparrow I rescued as a child.  Teensy was the creature who introduced me to the tragic reality of death at the tender age of eight. And for that reason, Teensy was an important marker in my life. Fifty-Eight years later I still think of that bird, long decomposed in the Woods–probably an apartment complex now– on 162^nd Street, Flushing 65 New York.

What about the picture of a sparrow superimposing, or in another way, being part of the path photograph?  I think I’m on to something.

And then, I thought of the song His Eyes are on the Sparrow” by Civilla D. Martin / Charles H. Gabriel.

This song could possibly become my theme song.

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/h/hiseyeisonthesparrow.shtml

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel) (1905)

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

 “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

 Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/h/hiseyeisonthesparrow.shtml

At Last, My Manuscript is Off to My Readers

I love my readers!   Their feedback is invaluable because they are the experts. I am so grateful for their time and willingness to partner with me on this long journey. By-the-way. you are also the experts.

 

Reader Endorsement

I was very moved by your story. Your word pictures and turning of phrases made your story a very enjoyable and inviting read.  Lately, I have been reading a lot and would say that your writing sill places you on par with the current crop of popular authors.

John Koppang