Good Titles

[yowser]

As writers we are inevitably looking to reel in new readers. Good writing is the best overall lure, but we employ the site’s tags, short descriptions, and categories to attract attention, as well as crafty, alluring first sentences and paragraphs. Yet the impact, here or in mainstream publishing, of a Good Title is impossible to ignore.

I’d like to think I am an above-average titlist, although I have plenty of clunkers in my list.

At the moment, my favorite is ‘Quiminal Intent.’

What’s your best?

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Quiminal Intent is both hilarious and clever

BUUUT... As an uncultured American, I never would have gotten the joke if you hadn't pointed it out. (That's not a slang that we use here)

 

[MrPixel]

Oh. Never mind. I misread the thread title as "Good Titties". Where are my reading glasses?

 

[Djmac1031]

I think my most clever story title is April Fools Daddy.

Because it absolutely gives away the premise and ending and yet I received multiple comments telling me they didn't see it coming.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

I think my most clever story title is April Fools Daddy.

Because it absolutely gives away the premise and ending and yet I received multiple comments telling me they didn't see it coming.

That was clever as fuck, and probably the only parent/child incest story that I'll ever enjoy

 

[Euphony]

I think my most clever story title is April Fools Daddy.

Because it absolutely gives away the premise and ending and yet I received multiple comments telling me they didn't see it coming.

This is top tier Literotica titling.

Appeal to the "easy to understand the goings on" title masses.

A touch of cleverness for the author and wordsmithy readers.

Unless the underlying category is squick, it is pure honey for searching readers.

 

[SimonDoom]

There's no one right way to do this, but most of the time I take a practical approach to story titles. My general philosophy is: "The text of the story is your art; everything else is marketing." Most of the time (not all of the time) titles for me are marketing. I write my titles with an eye toward grabbing the maximum number of eyeballs and readers possible.

Does it make a difference? You bet it does. You have a fleeting, limited opportunity to grab readers' attention.

My suggestion is, do your research. If you're going to publish a story in a particular category, do some research about what stories have done well in the category. What titles do well? What are the most titillating words to use? How do you succinctly convey the subject matter? What tags are commonly used?

 

[MelissaBaby]

I am not strong on coming up with titles. But I do think I have a couple good ones.

Drive-In Double Feature, in which a young woman hooks up with two guys at a drive in movie. Double feature...get it?

White Castle Christmas A couple of strippers get off work early on Christman Eve and go to White Castle. So, White Castle/White Christmas. Well, I thought it was clever.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Even though it was posted in Novels/Novellas and has absolutely no gay, incest, or similar tags, after 8 years, I still have those readers who open "His Daddy's Car" expecting a "twink" story.

I have 24 stories posted on Lit, and 5 of those have one-word titles (1990, Change, Elements, Made, and Searching). They do no better or worse than the 19 with more descriptive titles. When stories are submitted in chapters or parts, the titles need to account for the added characters stating the number (Ch 1, Ch2, etc.). This was the case with the titles above in bold.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Well as long as we're doing shameless self promotion, Fucky Friday as a spoof of Freaky Friday was a pretty clever title, I think. The sequel Sucky Saturday was a little clever, but not as much, and then the final installment Submissive Sunday isn't finished yet.

 

[Djmac1031]

Well as long as we're doing shameless self promotion, Fucky Friday as a spoof of Freaky Friday was a pretty clever title, I think. The sequel Sucky Saturday was a little clever, but not as much, and then the final installment Submissive Sunday isn't finished yet.

Gonna have to check those out

 

[John_Vandermeer]

I think my titles are ok even if just descriptive.

I think the only one I am prouder of for its on-the-mark naughty taboo vibes, that encapsulate well the intent of the story, is The Consanguine Honeytrap. The story of a (legitimate) half-sister that connivingly sets herself as irresistible bait to ensnare and destroy her (illegitimate) half-brother: for the unforgivable crime of existing.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

I prefer evocative titles rather than descriptive titles. I've received many comments that my titles are memorable and are fondly remembered ...

No More Perfect Kisses
Throwin' Pennies in the Bay
Your Silver Nights and Golden Days
Promises Made and Promises Kept
Like Butter on a Summer Day

 

[MelissaBaby]

I prefer evocative titles rather than descriptive titles. I've received many comments that my titles are memorable and are fondly remembered ...

No More Perfect Kisses
Throwin' Pennies in the Bay
Your Silver Nights and Golden Days
Promises Made and Promises Kept
Like Butter on a Summer Day

Like Butter on a Summer Day is an exquisite title.

 

[MajorRewrite]

The Last Wallace is my favorite. It has a nicely pretentious literary vibe.

Mom Son Lap Halloween is my most effective (and amusing because it’s so simplistic). I created it to tap into the “lap story” mania on Lit, and it worked. The story has a bazillion views.

 

[NotWise]

Good by what standards? I was told by one reader that my titles and short descriptions are laughable. Another told me the titles were hot. 8letters once pointed out "Love is Enough" as an example of a terrible title. I like it.

My favorite right now is "Every Girl in Edgarville," followed closely by "Sex Under Studio Lights."

I've always liked "Quarter to MIdnight," but the readers seem drawn to "That Little Bitch."

"No Brand on My Pony" is probably my most obscure title, and while I liked "Escape from Cimarron" and "A Little Dirty, A Little Bit Salty," they didn't do anything to bring in readers.

I need to stop using titles that are meaningless unless you've already read the story.

 

[djrip]

I think Wrong Twin Rubdown was my most successful at getting the point across in three words or less.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I think my recent story Pretty Please has a title that is intriguing and eye-catching and I'm pleased with it.
The Colonel's Wife and Conference Room B Fuck Club are as straight to the point as I've done.
I try to find a happy medium between a click-baity title and something that fits the story.
My biggest clunker is the Hedonism House. I don't know if the word hedonism is over the head of many readers or what, but it's one of my best stories and is rated well, but gets half the attention of MILF Cruise in the same category. I've thought about it, but I've yet to come up with a better one that fits the story. My next story is a conundrum and I'm leaning toward The Solarium, but I fear that's another "hedonism" waiting to happen.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

My only title people have commented on and said they liked is Wheelchair Bound? - 'women find chronic illness interferes with kinky sex'.

It involves two women, bondage, and one accepting she needs a wheelchair.

I like my series 'I Say Ass, You Say Arse' - tales of transatlantic scientific collaboration. Starts with an American coming to England and he and local girl have anal sex.

'Only One Bed, Again!' got the incest crowd to read about a brother and sister's hiking trip.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

Oh, I liked that title and that story!

 

[NoTalentHack]

Current titles in my story seed list:

I am Spartacuck! - about a slave revolt at a femdom-themed resort
Sharon Shares Alike - Wife shares husband with sister
Breeding Contempt - Wife's breeding fetish wrecks her marriage
Thank You For Your Cervix - I have no fucking idea, I just cracked up at the title
Sacrilicious - Goth girl gets her boyfriend to break into a church so they can fuck on the altar

 

[Cali_Love]

My titles and descriptions say, ‘don’t read me.’ Lower the expectations and WTF, make an effort or don’t bother. I don’t care. I turn off comments after a couple days too. Makes me appreciate real readers after all.

 

[MajorRewrite]

Thank You For Your Cervix - I have no fucking idea, I just cracked up at the title

Made me laugh.

 

[yowser]

Current titles in my story seed list:

I am Spartacuck! - about a slave revolt at a femdom-themed resort
Sharon Shares Alike - Wife shares husband with sister
Breeding Contempt - Wife's breeding fetish wrecks her marriage
Thank You For Your Cervix - I have no fucking idea, I just cracked up at the title
Sacrilicious - Goth girl gets her boyfriend to break into a church so they can fuck on the altar

Maybe 'Cervix with a Smile'? (Apologies to P. G. Wodehouse.)

 

[Priscilla_June]

I forget which wise Author’s guide I read but they had essentially advised that titles should be almost “on the nose” of the gist of the story. So basically “Pimping My Wife” or “Maternity Hallpass” two titles I used that basically tell the potential readers what they are getting into since titles are inevitably the first thing someone sees on the page.


This often runs contrary to more clever titles I’d rather name my stories but… whatever sells.