Between Two Worlds: behind the title

Why did I choose Between Two Worlds as the title for my next book?

My favourite titles have layers: multiple meanings that you only truly comprehend once you’ve read the book.

The title The Pauline Conversion, for example, is a literal biblical reference to the conversion of Paul the Apostle, also called the Damascene conversion (where Paul stopped persecuting early Christians and became a follower of Jesus). That’s not what the book is about, to put it mildly. In the book, it symbolises how St Paul’s College undergoes sweeping changes. And how Dennis, the main character, has revelations of his own.

From one perspective, Unstable Orbits refers to the changing nature of Nate’s friendships and relationships across his repeated year 13. It also alludes to his struggles with mental health, and hints at his habit of seeing everything through the lens of physics.

Between Two Worlds has literal and symbolic meanings. Capricorn, the generation ship on which the story takes place, is travelling from one world (Earth) to another. The cover shows that literal journey using the apparent motion of the stars, and the hidden destination shining out of sight. (Stars wouldn’t move like that from the inhabitants’ perspective because the wheel is spinning — it’s artistic licence, as are the colours.)

Symbolically, the title references the main character Pod’s journey to adulthood. His search for purpose and love (he hopes). The difficult choices he has to make. But he also goes on a physical journey as part of the story: moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar, his world view changing from cabin and academy and chores to something new and exciting and scary.

*Context-free snippet of Pod’s journey. Look out for part of this image in the book.*

Other characters in the story undergo similar shifts. There’s a feeling of fundamental change in the air that isn’t limited to Pod. His bunkie Skylight, his best friend, loves being a farmer, but. Another friend, Forest, is learning Logistics, but. Pod makes a new friend, Quasar, but. And Glin Bolt, and Easel, and Indigo, and others, they’re all in some sense between two worlds.

Ironically, you won’t find the word world in the main body of the book. It’s not a word that Pod, the narrator, uses. He knows Capricorn, the wheel, and its parts — like the sectors, the walls, and the ladders. He doesn’t know Earth. And he doesn’t even know of Earth except in an entirely abstract way — their journey must have started somewhere. If there’s a target there must have been a source.

It’s a fascinating perspective to write from, and I hope an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. We’re all travelling between two worlds, even if those worlds are ignorance and understanding.

Between Two Worlds is book 1 in the Pod of Capricorn series, and I already have a title in mind for book 2. Sequel titles often follow a pattern started by the first book, perhaps repeating a key word. I won’t be doing that — it boxes you in too much, I think. So book 2 won’t be Between Three Worlds or Between Two Wombats or Underneath Two Worlds or anything like that.

In any case book 2 can wait, for now. I still have book 1 to finish polishing. Nearly there.