LOOKING FOR A NEW TITLE FOR “THE DEVIL’S STAIRCASE”
In an earlier post, I talked about titles. I never worry about them too much, and start writing before I have a firm idea in mind. This lack of concern might be why I got it wrong in the case of The Devil’s Staircase. The book is about a group of Australian backpackers who break into an abandoned London townhouse seeking a rent-free life of debauchery. What they don’t realize is that someone is already there: a terrified woman bound and gagged in the basement.
It’s essentially a thriller, but the title reeks of horror. I’m sitting here making notes for the next draft of the screenplay, and wondering what might work better...
I had considered The Squat, but apparently this conjures unpleasant images for Americans.
Any ideas?
