I really suck at coming up with titles

[RavenSpirit2k4]

First story I've actually finished in weeks after a bout with writer's block and I can't come up with a title! I do this every time I write anything, erotic, non-erotic, whatever.

They should have a special category of editor-types who volunteer just to think up titles. Surely I'm not the only one who has this problem?

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Heehee, yeah. I remember one of my longer works was named by contest. It was funny. It's weird. Either the title is the first thing I think of or the title is a last minute effort named by friends. Don't know why this is. Buck up and start a contest to name your new story or something. You've got a whole forum to help you out here.

 

[Guest]

I learned that putting "naked" in the title helps get readings. Otherwise I've no problem with titles, usually.

Best, Perdita

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

First story I've actually finished in weeks after a bout with writer's block and I can't come up with a title! I do this every time I write anything, erotic, non-erotic, whatever.

They should have a special category of editor-types who volunteer just to think up titles. Surely I'm not the only one who has this problem?

Pagen,

You might try checking out the titles of other stories in the same category. That can "prime the pump" and give you some ideas. Also, take a look at this "How To" Lit article my WhisperSecret; both come highly recommended.

How to Name Your Characters

Rumple Foreskin

ps: Nice AV, Perdita.

 

[sincerely_helene]

I find that my titles usually end up a pun of sorts. I take the whole of the idea behind the story, and assume a double meaning. For example:

Submitted for your Approval is a story about... a reporter who goes to interview a local BDSM club owner and ends up... well, obviously submitting more than the story.

A Compromising Position is about a robber who ends up in a position, both literally and metaphorically, due to a compromise offered by her captor.

I do not promote my stories on the boards as they are at a very amatuer level, however, I'm quite proud of my titles. If you need some help, let me know. I am the title queen (coo coo cachoo).

 

[The Mutt]

One lesson I learned is don't start your title with "The".
That is a quick way for your story to disappear after it leaves the new story list.
And for some strange reason, my stories that start with B have gotten a lot more hits and votes than the others. That's probably a fuke, but it is weird.
If a title intrigues, I will at least check it out to see what it is all about. A title that is too explicit will only attract people who like that type story. I title like Whips and Leather would get a hit from me for sure. A title like Daddy's Little Girl wouldn't. But a title like What Roxanne Said would get me to open it and read enough to see what it was about.
Intrigue. It is the difference between erotica and porn.

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

I'm not sure a contest would be a good idea with my stories, Lucifer. Maybe for a more mainstream story. I write femdom BDSM stories - for now, anyway.

Hmmm, my story definitely involves nudity, so "naked" would be an appropriate bit to have in it. Don't think there is anything pun-worthy in it; at least I can't think of anything.

It's a bit of a sleazy story: a couple pick up a woman at a bar and go out to the alley behind the bar. She learns there that this is no ordinary threeway. The woman is a domme, the man her sub. She learns how to flog and gets a good spanking herself. More importantly she realizes that she really enjoyed this, it being something she'd never thought she'd like.

"Behind the Bar, Naked"? Ok, that sucks too.

Well, I'll finish polishing it and try to think of something while I'm doing that.

 

[sincerely_helene]

Another Round On the House?

It's not the most classic pun, but I'm still working on it. This woud at least get you under the "a" section.

 

[sincerely_helene]

Hey! How about something like:

Make Mine a Triple

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Another Round On the House?

It's not the most classic pun, but I'm still working on it. This woud at least get you under the "a" section.

Actually, that's not bad at all, especially if I add a line where the domme says that when she spanks the woman in the story.

 

[sincerely_helene]

What about the second suggestion? Seems fitting also.

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

It is pretty good, but I like the first one better.

Thanks!

 

[sincerely_helene]

Glad to help.

Happy Hour might work too (though odds are if there is a male involved, the scenario didn't last quite that long).

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Submitted it just a few minutes ago with the title "Another Round On the House". Now the waiting begins...

Really, thanks for all the help, ladies and gentlemen. Coming up with a title is always the hardest part for me.

 

[sincerely_helene]

good luck to ya!

 

[damppanties]

They should have a special category of editor-types who volunteer just to think up titles.

I vote for sincerely_helene. I hate coming up with titles too, cos I can't do good ones.

 

[snooper]

A young wannabe author was looking for a title. He asked an old hand.

"Does it have any drums or trumpets in it?" asked the OH.

"Certainly not," replied the YWA, "It isn't that sort of book at all."

"So call it No Drums, No Trumpets!"

Before anyone moans, this is a quote but I can't remember from whom, and I'm too idle to look it up.