The all Important Title

[Jade]

Hmmm

I recently submitted a story (well, I mean.. it recently has appeared I mean) to lit under a diff. penname and so far the results have been good, but I can't help but wonder if more people would be interested in reading it had I chose a better title....

Any suggestions?

I admit it, the title sounds boring, but I worked my ASS off on that story!

 

[Weird Harold]

It's hard to make suggestions when I have no idea what story you're talking about.

The title is important as a "hook" to pique the potential reader's interest (or not). If you name your story "A Boring Story" You'll probably get a few that check it out expecting irony in the title, but most will take you at your word and skip over it.

 

[Jade]

WH


Exactly!

How do you go about choosing a title?
Do you write the story, THEN decide ... or vice versa.. or somewhere in the middle?

Do you find that there is more success if you title based on literary elements, characters, the plot itself, the theme, ... what evokes the most response?

I seriously need some help with this.

(Btw: missed you!)

 

[Whispersecret]

Congratulations on the posting of your story. I know you sweated blood with that story. I know how wonderful it feels when people tell you how the enjoyed your story. Well done.

I'm probably the last person whose opinion you want, but here it is.

On Literotica, a title is critical if you want people to read your story. The title is the ONLY thing the readers see, other than Laurel's one line blurb. And since you have no control over that one-liner, you should really choose a title with care.

You might want to study the titles of the stories out there already. See what everyone else is doing and try to come up with something a little different. Personally, I steer away from titles with the character's name in it, because that seems too common a choice. Also anything that smacks of "an awakening" is sort of cliche with erotica as far as I'm concerned.

But most importantly, choose a title that resonates in the story you've written. Choose a pivotal theme, idea, or scene and brainstorm words and phrases around it.

Happy writing!

[Edited by whispersecret on 10-03-2000 at 06:30 PM]

 

[Whispersecret]

Heh heh. Just read WH and your replies and had a little to add...


Do you write the story, THEN decide ... or vice versa.. or somewhere in the middle?

I think it depends on your story. I've written things whose titles jumped out from the very beginning. On the other hand I have one novel I'm writing that is one-third finished and I still have no idea what I'm going to call the thing.

Do you find that there is more success if you title based on literary elements, characters, the plot itself, the theme, ... what evokes the most response?

I don't think anyone can answer that question, because the response you get is probably more dependent upon the story itself, rather than its title.

 

[Weird Harold]

How do you go about choosing a title?
Do you write the story, THEN decide ... or vice versa.. or somewhere in the middle?

Do you find that there is more success if you title based on literary elements, characters, the plot itself, the theme, ... what evokes the most response?

I almost always write a story to fit a title. Every once in a while, the first line of a story comes to me first, or a story twist.

For me, the title sets the reader's expectation of what kind of story to expect. I therefore choose titles that begin the misdirection to keep their attention away from the coming twist.

Some titles I have in mind to write stories to fit, or have stories in work for:

Ecnirp Gorf eht

The Tree Hugger
(this one probably won't get written because of the tree sex thread stealing my concept.)

The Reward Poster.

Babysitting Aunt Agatha.

The Perfect Fit

How I met My Wife.

Once in a great while, I'll change a title as the story develops, but more often I will simply abandon the story.

My story Two Bags For The Bride, was written mostly as an excuse for the punchline at the end.

 

[Jade]

Whisper ahhhh you blew my cover!!

Thanks for the advice but PLEASE I was trying to keep my other name a secret... I thought you knew that.. sorry if you didn't... please please please edit your post.. "Jade" as an author has a bad connotation... especially when it comes to errors, etc. please don't ruin my last chance to have a somewhat decent reputation!

If you can respect this wish of mine before too many more people find out I would greatly appreciate it... otherwise all of my efforts .. for nothing.

Sorry to get emotional...
You know I love ya Whisper!

[Edited by Jade on 10-03-2000 at 02:44 PM]

 

[Weird Harold]

I looked up the title that WhisperSecret mentioned (and I won't repeat in case she does remove it,) to see how the title fit.

Since it's just chapter one so far, I don't see the connection. Hopefully the connection will be made clear in future chapters.

(I noticed that you haven't gotten to how you resolved the saddle question yet either. <G>)

I don't see any problem with the title. It's non-specific enough to be intriguing, yet not terribly attention grabbing either. Not a great title, i guess, but not a bad one either.

 

[Whispersecret]

Holy CRAP! I'm so sorry. Now that you mention it, I do vaguely remember you wanting to start fresh as an author! I'm so sincerely sorry. I changed the post. I honestly meant to PROMOTE your story and to help out anyone who was in doubt about your title's appropriateness. No one can help you out on that if they don't know the title you chose. Maybe you should have posted under the pseudonym...? Too late now for that I suppose.

Again, I'm sorry for the blunder!!!! I only meant to help. <winces>

 

[Jade]

Thank you thank you!!
I figured you had just forgotten.. sorry if I panicked...you know how I can be!

Anyway, thanks for taking it off, and yes I knew you just had good intentions!

(((Whisper)))


WH: I don't mind that you know. I know you won't tell anyone.
Thanks.

 

[Tawny T]

Which came first, the Chicken, or the Egg? I do it three ways. Sometimes I come up with a title, then write the story. Sometimes I write the story, then come up with a title. Sometimes I change the title I started out with. Confused?

What difference does it make - really? What you want is a title that chatches the readers eye! You do want them to read it don't you? Then pick one that describes the story and sounds good also. I have used alliteration a lot. It seems to work.

They don't know who the author is, so you have to get their attention. Lactating Lesbian Lady - catch your attention? Afternoon Swim - kind of a clunker title. Mine, didn't do so hot either.

Try several, and see which one gets your attention. Play like you never heard of the story before, and are looking at it for the very first time.

Does it grab your attention? If it doesn't then try another. Hey, it's your story, and your title. Make it a grabber!