Thoughts On A Title

[SFCTaleSpinner]

My last story was called "Parting Shot."

If I do say so myself, it's a really nifty little title that suits the story well, in two ways. One: there's a literal shooting contest that's pivotal to the story, and two: the story also revolves around a breakup and how the scorned girlfriend leaves the guy in the most humiliating way she can imagine (i.e. her 'parting shot' at him.)

Now I'm working on a sequel. My working title is "Bullseye."

My reasoning is that a bullseye is an especially impressive type of shot. In that vein, this sequel follows elements that were merely 'good' or 'average' in "Parting Shot" as they grow to be exceptional. It's basically an enhancement of what we saw in "Parting Shot" - hence it's a "Bullseye".

It makes sense (to me, at least) when it leans on the prequel. But as a standalone title, it has very little relevance to the story. Nothing in the sequel relates to shooting. So I'm wondering if I ought to ditch it and come up with something new.

What do you think?

 

[NotWise]

Considering the way titles go on Lit, maybe you're over thinking it.

Explicitly sexual titles seem popular. That's things like "Mommy sucks my balls."

 

[rjordan]

Titles are for the writer. TAGLINES are for the reader.

Writers like clever titles that tie in with the story. Readers don't have any idea what the story is so they aren't going to get your clever title until they read the story. Then it doesn't matter.

Taglines give the reader a clue what the story is about. Hopefully it is an enticing clue that will make the reader want to go further.

As a reader, I tend to scan the taglines, then glance at the writer's name, then the title. the tagline sells it. The title just identifies it.

 

[SimonDoom]

I think the answer depends on what you want from the title.

If your concerns are mostly literary or artistic, then go with a title that suits those needs for you. You probably are the best judge of that.

If you want a title that draws readers, though, consider choosing a title that reveals the content of the story in a more direct way AND is suggestive or descriptive of the category in which the story is being posted. My impression is that both titles and taglines play a very big role in how many people choose to view a story. A great many readers pick stories to read by looking first for categories they like, and then choosing stories listed in those categories. So if you write a mom-son incest story and you want readers, don't choose a title like "Memories of Minnetonka," no matter how much you like the way it sounds. Choose "Minnesota Mom Goes Crazy" or something along those lines. I suggest using a popular tag word in that category in the title itself.

My goal when I publish a story is to have as many people view it as possible, so I get as much reaction as I can to it. So I pick titles that I think will draw readers. But others may have different purposes. There's no right answer, but be aware of the consequences of your choices.

 

[NotWise]

I think the answer depends on what you want from the title.

My Summer Luv'n contest story was mostly meant to be amusing, so I named it to amuse myself.

There's no modern biology in the story, but about halfway through writing it I had the idea of naming the story after an outdated 'Biology 101' sort of textbook. I did a Google search and came up with "Modern Biology," published in 1941.

The title is totally for me. There's no way the readers would get that.

 

[Dream_Operator]

I think you also need to consider the audience you are trying to attract. If you write stoker stories, the tag line should focus on the scene and the type of sex it contains. My stories usually contain a fair amount of plot and build up, so someone looking for a quick wank will probably be disappointed. I tend to go with more artistic and subtle titles and taglines, and prefer to have quality views rather than quantity views.

 

[china-doll]

I think you also need to consider the audience you are trying to attract. If you write stoker stories, the tag line should focus on the scene and the type of sex it contains. My stories usually contain a fair amount of plot and build up, so someone looking for a quick wank will probably be disappointed. I tend to go with more artistic and subtle titles and taglines, and prefer to have quality views rather than quantity views.

I would tend to agree with this. I really depends on the story which in a sense is driven by the audience. I quick wanker story wants the quick hook, whereas a more subtle kind of smut (in theory, read by a more subtle reader, or perhaps the same reader in a different mood) warrants the more artistic title.

Myself, favoring the wordier side of the equation, my last chapter is 21,000 words, I try to get artsy but usually end up disappointed with my choice.

 

[SFCTaleSpinner]

Excellent food for thought here. Thanks everybody!

I'm starting to think I need something better, title wise. While I'd like something that has at least a little bit of subtlety to it, I also think it needs to have more sex appeal, being an erotic story and all...

 

[BlackCatWalking]

I'm starting to think I need something better, title wise. While I'd like something that has at least a little bit of subtlety to it, I also think it needs to have more sex appeal, being an erotic story and all...

As you seem to like guns or perhaps even bows and arrows, what about "Spot on her target" or 'She was his target' or a bit more descriptive 'Her muff, my target'.

Could be a bit of fun here.

'Lesbian target practice' or, 'Cheeky target practice'

 

[R. Richard]

The title under discussion is not just a stand alone title, but a follow on title, intended to attract readers of the previous story.

 

[49greg]

For my last half dozen stories I've titled them alphabetically so that the most recent story is at the top of the list. I got the idea from a similar thread some time ago. That's resulted in some pretty awkward titles. Unfortunately I'm not that good at tag lines either. I guess it results in a self imposed mediocrity

 

[NotWise]

For my last half dozen stories I've titled them alphabetically so that the most recent story is at the top of the list. I got the idea from a similar thread some time ago. That's resulted in some pretty awkward titles. Unfortunately I'm not that good at tag lines either. I guess it results in a self imposed mediocrity

If you use the new control panel you can just have your list sorted by date.

 

[49greg]

If you use the new control panel you can just have your list sorted by date.

I know, I've been thinking about that. But mostly I wanted my stories as a reader would see them, to show new titles at the top - to make them easier to find. At this point I just don't see that as an advantage, at least with the small amount of stories I have now. Maybe if I get up there with a hundred or so ... but even then I have doubts it will make a difference.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I know, I've been thinking about that. But mostly I wanted my stories as a reader would see them, to show new titles at the top - to make them easier to find. At this point I just don't see that as an advantage, at least with the small amount of stories I have now. Maybe if I get up there with a hundred or so ... but even then I have doubts it will make a difference.

That technique only works if your first story is "Zzzaphod ties a virgin to the railway track" and the next one is "Yyolanda couldn't break free"

You're over thinking it. Just write the stories, given them a sensible title that relates to the story. If your work is any good, readers will figure it out for themselves...

Having said that, I do have a story entitled "Aalison the Aardvark"... (comedy and satire, just before the animal police arrive).

 

[gordo12]

My last story was called "Parting Shot."

If I do say so myself, it's a really nifty little title that suits the story well, in two ways. One: there's a literal shooting contest that's pivotal to the story, and two: the story also revolves around a breakup and how the scorned girlfriend leaves the guy in the most humiliating way she can imagine (i.e. her 'parting shot' at him.)

Now I'm working on a sequel. My working title is "Bullseye."

My reasoning is that a bullseye is an especially impressive type of shot. In that vein, this sequel follows elements that were merely 'good' or 'average' in "Parting Shot" as they grow to be exceptional. It's basically an enhancement of what we saw in "Parting Shot" - hence it's a "Bullseye".

It makes sense (to me, at least) when it leans on the prequel. But as a standalone title, it has very little relevance to the story. Nothing in the sequel relates to shooting. So I'm wondering if I ought to ditch it and come up with something new.

What do you think?

If it's an author I follow I usually get the title flow from one story to another. Or you could call it Parting Shot - Bulls Eye.