Think of a book, the title of which can be literally translated as “15 Minor Planets.”
Its a fairly artsy-fartsy literature-type travelogue. The 15 minor planets refer to 15 specific people the writer encountered on his travels who impacted him in some way.
The concept is that all these folk, and the writer himself, are all in their own little orbits and sometimes these orbits intersect for a brief period.
I was stupid enough to say that the literal translation is a shite title, so now I have to come up with something – anything! – better. Within the next hour. And I have a total thought-block.
Fifteen inferior orbs, fifteen small balls, fifteen momentary encounters, fifteen minor impacts… the original title doesn’t exactly lend itself to inspirational modification.
It IS a shite title. It is a shite concept. Orbits don’t interesct, they spin around a larger planet. Throw the whole metaphor out and call it, I dunno, “Crap What Happened on My Way to Illinois” or wherever he is going. Or maybe “Interesctions” (shi2zi4 lu4kou3). “Things to Do While Dead at the Intersection.” “Pass the Hammer,” etc…
Sorry that’s the best I could do on such short notice.
These I quite like. I’d personally favour the first or last ones, but I have a feeling they’ll be more likely to go with the middle one.
Anyway, thanks.
Teach me to keep my bloody mouth firmly shut!