title, title....who's got a title?

[cloudy]

Anyone else have the trouble I do in coming up with a title for a story? I'm never able to just grab a title and run with it, and I'm always sitting here with a finished story, and no title for it.

I hate it.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Yes. It's the most annoying part to me - that and the description. Some of them I eventually get right; others always look bad to me.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Yes, absolutely. I always have problems with titles. Every once in awhile, I get struck with inspiration but not often.

 

[impressive]

Titles are rarely a problem for me. Dunno why.

 

[Recidiva]

Nope, I don't have that problem. But then again maybe my writing sucks. I tend to put stuff together in two hours, giggle and throw it at someone balled up with "READ ME" spelled wrong on the side.

 

[English Lady]

I suck at titles!

My husband ocmes up with most of mine!

Vella even came up with one of 'em for me (bless her lil'cotton socks)

I just don't manage it more often than not.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

i usually have a title before the story is half done. then I work somthing int the text in to fit.

 

[cloudy]

i usually have a title before the story is half done. then I work somthing int the text in to fit.

Well, the one I'm working on is a perfect example. Halfway through now, and still no idea for a title.

If you remember, you had to help me with a title for my last halloween story.

I'm pathetic.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Well, the one I'm working on is a perfect example. Halfway through now, and still no idea for a title.

If you remember, you had to help me with a title for my last halloween story.

I'm pathetic.

Usually I have a title and description all worked out within the first few pages. Though, the story I'm writing right now does not have a title yet. I think this time, it's because I'm writing something I don't usually write and the whole thing has me a little off-guard.

 

[lil_elvis]

With prose, I usually have the story idea first and just go with a working title (that sucks). Usually, but not always, somewhere in the process of writing the story, a better title comes to mind. But it's one of those things I've got to stop and write down, otherwise it departs as quickly as it came.

With poetry, the title is usally the first part. A single line invades my mind and I then work at writing to support it. (Not that what I write isall that deep, mind you).

 

[cloudy]

oops

 

[TheEarl]

I'm having trouble doing titles for a set of television episodes I'm writing. I'm doing an Angel Virtual Season and a few of the episodes appear to have BlackAdder II titles to them. I keep getting visions of an angel not staying still on screen during the credits, squirming away and eventually being replaced with a currant bun.

"Cakes!"

The Earl

 

[Recidiva]

I'm having trouble doing titles for a set of television episodes I'm writing. I'm doing an Angel Virtual Season and a few of the episodes appear to have BlackAdder II titles to them. I keep getting visions of an angel not staying still on screen during the credits, squirming away and eventually being replaced with a currant bun.

"Cakes!"

The Earl

So what you're saying is...

The Renaissance is something that happened to other people?

 

[kbate]

I never have a title until it is time to post. Usually just after I submit I think of the title I really think would be perfect.

I hate titles.

 

[Equinoxe]

I tend to have a hard time creating titles for things, except when I don't have anything to title, then I can come up with great titles with ease -- which I subsequently forget by the time I have something to title.

 

[Boota]

I usually have my title before I even write the first word. Sometime during the planning process the title just springs to mind. In fact, my next novel was wholly inspired by the title. I'm the same way when I write songs. It's rare that I have a work without a title.

 

[mack_the_knife]

They can be a royal pain, for sure. I sometimes come up with the title first, then write the story, then go: WTF? And have to come up with a new one. Other times, one just pops into my head (not saying they make sense, but there they are).

 

[cloudy]

I usually have my title before I even write the first word. Sometime during the planning process the title just springs to mind. In fact, my next novel was wholly inspired by the title. I'm the same way when I write songs. It's rare that I have a work without a title.

okay, I'm appropriately envious now.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Well, the one I'm working on is a perfect example. Halfway through now, and still no idea for a title.

If you remember, you had to help me with a title for my last halloween story.

I'm pathetic.

And I'll gladly help with this oneif need be

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

And I'll gladly help with this oneif need be

Me too, if you want more than one sounding board.

 

[sincerely_helene]

The title is my easiest and most favorite part. Of course, that's probably because I tend to grab hold of the nearest pun and run with it. I have already decided, for example, if I ever write a halloween story, the title or description will likely contain the the phrase "My First Erotic Whore."

I sometimes wish there was a place on the forums where I could just sit around and come up with silly names for peoples stories.

 

[rgraham666]

Never had problems with titles so far.

But I've usually done a lot of thinking about a story before I punch in a single letter. I think the title is more obvious when I have a clear idea of what the story is about.

 

[Guest]

Anyone else have the trouble I do in coming up with a title for a story? I'm never able to just grab a title and run with it, and I'm always sitting here with a finished story, and no title for it.

I hate it.

ok, see this is just why i think i should go into advertising...NEVER have trouble with titles.
if you want, send the story to me and ill come up with something for you?

i like feeling useful

 

[Alex756]

title ... I'm OK

that &#^$(#%(&#$& freaking *#^&*^#$ description line on the other hand. I HATE that! I have done such a bad job on those I have had them RE WRITEN post submission for me becuase I suck that bad!

Grrrr that freaking description line, ohhh I hate you limited about of text!

~Alex

 

[Mari J]

There are exercises that I try for thinking up a title:

I search for a phrase in the story that seems to capture the sentiment or point of the story, and is also catchy in itself.

I summarize the story in my mind, reducing the summary more and more until I get to a phrase or single word.

I try to see if there's some point or moral to the story that could be given in the title without actually giving the whole story away.



I find it helpful to have a title as I work along, but editors have changed a few of my titles, usually for the better.