Story titles

[wildsweetone]

Do cliched story titles work?

If you're entering a competition that you have a serious chance of winning, would you use a cliche for the title?

 

[BlackShanglan]

I wouldn't. I mean, if there were three stories to read, a cliched title might be cute and stand out. But the thing about Literotica is, there are thousands and thousands of stories - hundreds every week. In a flood like that, cliches often get used, not to be amusing, but frankly because some people don't think any further than that. In that flood, you risk being mixed up with people who just think in cliches. In a smaller field, you might pique interest - in one this size, you risk being left down there with the dregs.

And that would suck since I bet your story rocks

 

[rydia57]

I dunno about others but I would, if the title works with the story, they just click and are meant for each other. I like to do like some movies do and use song titles myself. Alot of song titles are cliches too!
Later,
El

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I generally work through a story with a tenative title. One it is done and edited, I search for a title that works with the story. If it come sup cliche, so be it. I try for originals, but some stories just want to be cliched

 

[cloudy]

I seriously suck at coming up with titles AND those little blurb-ish descriptions. I've had to beg for help way too many times. If I can even think of a title, cliche' or not, then I'm happy.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I'd say no, but then....

...my titles aren't exactly spectacular, so who am I to say. But when I read, I tend to let the basics slip past me. Even some similar to titles that I've used (and of course, would want others to read... ). If it's been done, is cliche, has a woman's name for the title, etc.
But that's here at Lit. If this competition is elsewhere, then maybe a cliche will work. Is there any way for you to research what type titles have worked in the past, assuming this contest might not be a first time deal?

Q_C

 

[wildsweetone]

Thanks for your responses.

Actually Q_C that was a good idea. There are anthologies of prior stories so I'll see if I can hunt them out. Thank you!



Do you consider a kind of pun on a cliche title to be of the same level as the cliche itself?

The competition is based on the theme 'home'. So my tentative title is 'Home is where the heart is' and the alternative that I consider better is 'Home is where the hawk is' because the story contains a hawk bird and an American Indian called '... Hawk'.

Is the latter title option too corny in your opinion?

 

[Evil Alpaca]

I get my titles from a number of different places, from song lyrics/titles to random quotes I've had running around in my head. Like some people have already said, the title just needs to flow with the story. I rarely change the title once I've started (it's only happened on one story of mine so far). I like having a name that isn't just a quick synopsis of the story ("My first time with a midget") or the name of one of the characters, but that's about my only real guideline. "Bed of Rose's" doesn't count because I got the name of the character from the title of the story, not the other way around. Just rationalizing my inconsistancy. Carry on.

 

[U4ea]

Add me to the "I suck at titles" list. It's the last thing I ever do when I write something. I save the torture of hunting for a title for last. LOL

However, since I wait that late, I usually find some theme that seems to appear and use that. My NaNo novel for example. I had some really stupid titles for the thing. REALLY stupid titles. in the end, I found a line in one of the chapters where one of the characters said he would do whatever it took to change what happened. *shrugs* There was the title. Do I like it? No, honestly, I don't. LOL But I wasn't about to spend the last 5 days of the competition trying to rack my brain for a title that works.

 

[Bridget69]

I'm really bad at coming up with titles and descriptions so I just choose whatever best reflects the general content of the story.

 

[English Lady]

wild - actually really like your second option and think it sounds less corny than the cliche of "home is where the heart is"


I suck at titles too..I leave them to last and often get my hubby to help me think of them-he tends to be better at it then myself!

a title can put me off if it is reeealllly plain and boring. A funny/punny title is more likely to get my click than a boring

"someones name part one" or whatever....

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I seriously suck at coming up with titles AND those little blurb-ish descriptions. I've had to beg for help way too many times. If I can even think of a title, cliche' or not, then I'm happy.

I agree with Cloudy, especially when it comes to the description...I think that's the pitch you need to make to sell the story.

 

[Guest]

 

[oggbashan]

Look at this 'How To' by WhisperSecret:

How to get people to read your story

Og

 

[CharleyH]

I seriously suck at coming up with titles AND those little blurb-ish descriptions.

I hear ya, and yet somehow, I can always come up with other people's titles and blurbs. What's up with that?

 

[wildsweetone]

Thanks for your thoughts

EL I think that second option is growing on me.

Og! I'd forgotten all about Whispersecret's How To... thanks for that! It was good re-reading.

CharleyH, looking at your comment, I wonder if making up titles and blurbs is easier when the 'baby' isn't fresh in the mind, just like editing. I might try that and see. Thanks for your comments.