If you’re a writer, then you probably know that story ideas don’t come from a scheduled brainstorming session—they pop up when you’re doing the most random things. I’m no exception. Whether I’m sipping coffee on my balcony or scrolling through the news, my mind is always crafting stories, turning everyday moments into plot twists and character arcs.
Yes, it means I’m a little nutty. (Aren’t all writers, though?) But it’s a habit that feeds my creativity. I’m constantly daydreaming about what could happen if one decision led to something entirely unexpected. I see possibilities in every headline or overheard conversation, and soon, a story starts to form.
Take the YA cartel series I’m developing now, for instance. The idea struck me like lightning when I read about a horrifying incident in neighboring Zapopan last year—eight people murdered for trying to quit their jobs at a call center. Imagine that. You’re trying to leave a job, and instead of a farewell party or some casual goodbyes, you’re met with violence and terror.
It was brutal, haunting, and exactly the kind of plotline that sticks with you. The seeds of a series were planted right there. That story became a dark, rich well for characters, motivations, and a dangerous world where leaving your job might mean leaving your life behind. You can read the details about the tragic murders here.
If you can’t tell, I love living in Mexico, but the reality of cartels can’t be ignored. Normally I stick to writing romance novels because they’re so much fun to write. But again, the plot to a YA novel took hold, and I’ve decided to see it rhough to the end. If you’re one of my romance readers, don’t worry, I am continuing to write them, but I’ve decided to make the writing of the YA novel a series here on my blog.
Choosing The Title
Every great story needs a great title, and for me, the title is where the planning truly begins. It’s the first spark that brings everything together. The title sets the tone, hints at the central conflict, and gives me a creative anchor to build from. It’s one of the most exciting parts of the process because it distills the entire story into just a few words.
When I sat down to brainstorm this new cartel series, I knew the title needed to capture the intensity of the setting, the danger of the situation, and the impossible choices the characters would face. I wanted something gritty and suspenseful, something that would make readers think, This is going to be a wild ride.
I played around with a few options before landing on something that felt right. Here’s a peek at my brainstorming process for titles:
- Call of the Cartel
- Deadly Connections
- Hang Up to Die
- Escape the Line
- No Way to Quit
- Silent Signals
- Lines of Blood
- Click or Kill
All of these reflect the tension between an ordinary job and the life-or-death stakes the characters will face. But one title really jumped out at me as I thought more about the call center setting and the brutal consequences of trying to leave: Dialing Or Death. It’s direct, punchy, and sums up the stakes in just three words.
So, for now, the working title is Dialing Or Death. It might change as the series develops, but this one has a grip on me. If you have an idea for a great title, I’d love to hear it! You can email me at ianolewis@cruz-publishing.com.
With a title in place, the story starts to take shape. It’s like having a map to guide me through the creative process, grounding the wild ideas that constantly swirl around in my head. From the moment I saw that news story about the call center murders in Zapopan, I knew I had the seed of something powerful. Now, with Dialing Or Death as my working title, the series is starting to feel real.
But we’ve only just scratched the surface. Next week, I’m diving into one of the most critical parts of the process—the blurb. As far as I’m concerned, the blurb is almost as important as the outline. It’s not just a summary; it’s the promise of the story, the hook that pulls readers in and keeps them wanting more. Getting it right is key to crafting a compelling book.
So, join me next week as I walk you through how I write blurbs that capture the essence of the story, without giving everything away. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this!
Ian O. Lewis and Luke Jameson 