How do you choose a title for your story?

[Guest]

After being at Literotica for nearly 5 years, I still glance at the New Story/Poems pages to see what authors and poets are titling their work. I view titles and description on Literotica akin to reading book jackets at Borders and/or Barnes & Nobles. If a title is eye-catching, I'll take in the description and if it is intriguing, I'll read the story. Although doing this, I sometimes miss out on a good story due to an author/poet giving their work a "blah" title.

What I'm wondering is how ya'll title your stories and also the description line that accompanies your story?

 

[Stella_Omega]

After being at Literotica for nearly 5 years, I still glance at the New Story/Poems pages to see what authors and poets are titling their work. I view titles and description on Literotica akin to reading book jackets at Borders and/or Barnes & Nobles. If a title is eye-catching, I'll take in the description and if it is intriguing, I'll read the story. Although doing this, I sometimes miss out on a good story due to an author/poet giving their work a "blah" title.

What I'm wondering is how ya'll title your stories and also the description line that accompanies your story?

I stink at titles, that's all. My working titles are almost always the names of the main characters, and half the time I can't come up with anything better. I try to be straightforward in my descriptions, but I can see that I often crack wise when i shouldn't. "End of Innocence" has the probably the best one I've written; "Experienced dyke Domme initiates young man" It couldn't be much clearer!

 

[English Lady]

I suck at titles. I mean "Excercising The Heart." got changed by my publisher to "Getting Physical." and the new title is much better in my opinion.

Sometimes a title just hits, like "Masquerading Hearts." It just BAM! hit me and it felt so right, with others I ask my husband to come up with my title -he's really good at it and others I just go with whatever sounds the least lame *L*

 

[TheeGoatPig]

My stories title themselves. Or I come up with a catchy title and then start writing a story to match it.

Britney and the Tentacle Monster: I came up with the story, and the title was just self explanitary.

Jennifer and the Tentacle Monster: Same deal as above.

Little Red Rides the Hood: The title came first on that one. I wrote a very poor story about her getting gangbanged in the woods to fit with it.

Over the Sink: Title came first on that one as well. I wrote a story to fit with it, and my fetishes at the time.

The Neighbor's Ghost: Not the original title. I changed a cuple of the story elements shortly before submitting, and then changed the title to fit with the story. The original story was written before the title as well. I wanted to doa ghost story, and this is what came about.

Working Out: Story came first with this one. The title was added because that was the only thing that worked with it.

All of my descriptions are suplimental titles in essence. I am very minimalist when it comes to titles and descriptions. Just enough words so that people know basically what to expect when all combined with the category I have posted under. I don't see the point in being mysterious, or over explanitory. Just tell the readers what they need to know to make up their minds if my stories inerest them or not.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

After being at Literotica for nearly 5 years, I still glance at the New Story/Poems pages to see what authors and poets are titling their work. I view titles and description on Literotica akin to reading book jackets at Borders and/or Barnes & Nobles. If a title is eye-catching, I'll take in the description and if it is intriguing, I'll read the story. Although doing this, I sometimes miss out on a good story due to an author/poet giving their work a "blah" title.

What I'm wondering is how ya'll title your stories and also the description line that accompanies your story?

I wish I had some kinda scientific method for you, but they just come to me around the same time as my plot. I don't think I've ever really had to dig to come up with a title. I think I have a blah title phobia too. I will never read something that's like 'Jenny's Gangbang, part 27' but I would read 'Jenny's Dildo-banging Suckfest, part 27'

 

[rgraham666]

Generally, I look at the central theme of the story.

Bless Me Father is about a woman getting her priest kink satisfied.

This Year is about lovers in a 'Same Time Next Year' situation.

The Tease Is about a cock teaser who teases the wrong person.

Librarian Is about a librarian, a stereotypical one bought out of her shell.

Seems to work for me.

Sorry, but I can't resist plugging my stories.

 

[Guest]

I stink at titles, that's all. My working titles are almost always the names of the main characters, and half the time I can't come up with anything better. I try to be straightforward in my descriptions, but I can see that I often crack wise when i shouldn't. "End of Innocence" has the probably the best one I've written; "Experienced dyke Domme initiates young man" It couldn't be much clearer!

I read your stuff because of "Stella_Omega" next to the title, however, your titling is interesting, especially "The Ballad of Mad Moll" and "Sarabande". Whatever your style for titling, it works for me.

(I havent read "End of Innocence" but I will )

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Sorry, but I can't resist plugging my stories.

I almost did the same thing, but I just bolded the titles out of laziness

 

[glynndah]

Sometimes the characters tell me; sometimes I ask fellow writers and then write one of my own based on their ideas; and then sometimes I have to call it something and just panic at the Submit page and start typing.

 

[Guest]

I wish I had some kinda scientific method for you, but they just come to me around the same time as my plot. I don't think I've ever really had to dig to come up with a title. I think I have a blah title phobia too. I will never read something that's like 'Jenny's Gangbang, part 27' but I would read 'Jenny's Dildo-banging Suckfest, part 27'

You title well too, *coughs* Hot Buttered *coughs*

I'm not too crazy about titles that have a person's name in it, or cliche titles, but I will read them if I like the author.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I read your stuff because of "Stella_Omega" next to the title, however, your titling is interesting, especially "The Ballad of Mad Moll" and "Sarabande". Whatever your style for titling, it works for me.

(I havent read "End of Innocence" but I will )

Because i wrote it? Omigod, I'm teh blush!

And I'm really blushing, because both "Ballad" and "Sarabande" are unfinished and half-abandoned...

"Sarabande' is a good case in point. The working title was ... you probably will never guess... "Tracy and Stella". As I was casting around for a title, I was reading a very funny book from the twenties, that lampooned literary circles like the Bloomsbury Group, All the authors were talking about their novels with ridiculous names, and one of those was "Sarabande" and... well... I appropriated it...

(BTW, I can tell who you've been hanging out with-- and where...

 

[rgraham666]

I wonder if people will be disappointed with Soccer Mom since it's a lesbian D/s mature romance, with butt sex.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I wonder if people will be disappointed with Soccer Mom since it's a lesbian D/s mature romance, with butt sex.

NO SOCCER?

Remember when "Bull Durham" came out? There were angry letters on every sports page from people who'd brought their kids to see a wholesome film about baseball.
People were saying "That's not how baseball is!" and retired pros were saying; "Uh, yeah... that's how it is, actually..."

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I usually try to make my titles short. And interesting.

When I first started Montana Summer, it took place in Wyoming, and was going to be called Wyoming Summer, but it just didn't do anything for me. So I moved the cast a few hundred miles north to Montana....as I liked the sound of Montana Summer, it just seemed to fit.

As for the teasers, I really suck at writing them.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I usually try to make my titles short. And interesting.

When I first started Montana Summer, it took place in Wyoming, and was going to be called Wyoming Summer, but it just didn't do anything for me. So I moved the cast a few hundred miles north to Montana....as I liked the sound of Montana Summer, it just seemed to fit.

As for the teasers, I really suck at writing them.

And it was a good move, too

I tried to change Stella's name in the novel, since I'd appropriated it for myself. But I've never come up with the right thing. Me, who swears that names are the least important part of a character, go figure.

 

[rgraham666]

And it was a good move, too

I tried to change Stella's name in the novel, since I'd appropriated it for myself. But I've never come up with the right thing. Me, who swears that names are the least important part of a character, go figure.

Most often I try to give my characters very unassuming names. Closest I've come to exotic was my vampire, Georges Belleveau. And in France, I don't think that name would stand out. No 'Rip Torn' or 'Dick Harder' for me.

I want my readers to identify with my characters and a fancy name is likely, in my opinion, to jar them out of disbelief.

Stella? The son plays soccer, but he's thirteen so I can't include him in the rest of the book.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

NO SOCCER?

Remember when "Bull Durham" came out? There were angry letters on every sports page from people who'd brought their kids to see a wholesome film about baseball.
People were saying "That's not how baseball is!" and retired pros were saying; "Uh, yeah... that's how it is, actually..."

I just thought Bull Durham sucked as a movie in general...

 

[CharleyH]

After being at Literotica for nearly 5 years, I still glance at the New Story/Poems pages to see what authors and poets are titling their work. I view titles and description on Literotica akin to reading book jackets at Borders and/or Barnes & Nobles. If a title is eye-catching, I'll take in the description and if it is intriguing, I'll read the story. Although doing this, I sometimes miss out on a good story due to an author/poet giving their work a "blah" title.

What I'm wondering is how ya'll title your stories and also the description line that accompanies your story?

It has always boggled my mind a little as well. I constantly feel as if I need to come up with that fantastic term or phrase that just jumps out at a person. I typically resort to using titles that are simplistic, as in an object that is significant in any of my story. Past titles have been The Screening, The Window, Expressway, Tango. Not especially exciting, but at least significant to the story.

I have been more recently going through David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest" searching for cooler titles in the notes and eranda. He himself acquired the book title from Shakespeare's Hamlet and I quote,

"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy ..."

 

[drksideofthemoon]

And it was a good move, too

I tried to change Stella's name in the novel, since I'd appropriated it for myself. But I've never come up with the right thing. Me, who swears that names are the least important part of a character, go figure.

I don't spend a lot of time on names, but I think names can set the tone for a character.

Bethany? I see a slightly dowdy, religous woman.
Rachel? Simmering, smoldering (and no, not because of Rachlou's AV's)
Todd? A weak male, not willing to stand up.
Ryan? A stand up guy....

Im Montana Summer, Jessi (Jessica, I think she's been called that about twice) was given that name because Rick Springfield's "Jessi's Girl" was playing on the radio when I was looking for a name....sometimes it's just that random...

 

[Stella_Omega]

Most often I try to give my characters very unassuming names. Closest I've come to exotic was my vampire, Georges Belleveau. And in France, I don't think that name would stand out. No 'Rip Torn' or 'Dick Harder' for me.

I want my readers to identify with my characters and a fancy name is likely, in my opinion, to jar them out of disbelief.

Stella? The son plays soccer, but he's thirteen so I can't include him in the rest of the book.

At least, not at lit!

And in fact, that is exactly my problem with the novel Stella- her real name is "Karen" and Tracy gives her a new name almost instantly. He's remolding her a bit, and this dynamic is part of their relationship. So, the reason she has an unusual name is exactly why it's been so hard to change it...

 

[CharleyH]

I suck at titles. I mean "Excercising The Heart." got changed by my publisher to "Getting Physical." and the new title is much better in my opinion.

Well, in your opinion, EL. It reminds me of some Olivia Newton John song from the 80's. Personally? I liked your original better. Although, both have a kind of, well, meet in the gym feel ... makes me wonder if the story is indeed about sexual exercising.

 

[Stella_Omega]

It has always boggled my mind a little as well. I constantly feel as if I need to come up with that fantastic term or phrase that just jumps out at a person. I typically resort to using titles that are simplistic, as in an object that is significant in any of my story. Past titles have been The Screening, The Window, Expressway, Tango. Not especially exciting, but at least significant to the story.

I have been more recently going through David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest" searching for cooler titles in the notes and eranda. He himself acquired the book title from Shakespeare's Hamlet and I quote,

"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy ..."

Let's do a chain of stories with titles and subjects inspired by Shakespeare quotes, what say?

(oh gawd, and I'd have to produce since it's my idea!)

 

[rgraham666]

At least, not at lit!

And in fact, that is exactly my problem with the novel Stella- her real name is "Karen" and Tracy gives her a new name almost instantly. He's remolding her a bit, and this dynamic is part of their relationship. So, the reason she has an unusual name is exactly why it's been so hard to change it...

In that case, the fancy name seems a good idea. Nicely done.

 

[Stella_Omega]

In that case, the fancy name seems a good idea. Nicely done.

But-- but-- it's MY name now, she can't have it anymore!

I should have gone with "Astrophil" for my handle, and then we'd all be happy.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Let's do a chain of stories with titles and subjects inspired by Shakespeare quotes, what say?

(oh gawd, and I'd have to produce since it's my idea!)

Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well...

Just how did he know Yorick, and just how well did he know him... Enquiring minds want to know...