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 Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:04 am
So, I just finished rewriting my book, and I've decided I don't like the title anymore. But I'm rubbish at coming up with cool or catchy titles. I don't know why, but none of my books have had great titles so far. I usually just pick something that's good enough "for now" and that's what sticks.
I spent some time last night brainstorming--making lists of the major themes, thinking about the character arc and what the protagonist has to overcome, thinking about words that relate to important ideas, events, characters, concepts... and I came up with absolutely nothing worth mentioning.
I need to get out of this title rut. What's your method of coming up with titles? What kind of titles catch your attention at bookstores, and can you pinpoint why?
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:35 pm
Titles and beginnings are my biggest weaknesses.
If I am parodying something, I simply mock the original title. "The Nightmare of Gotham" is a favorite one. It was basically The Nightmare Before Christmas with Batman characters that I totally need to go back to and fix a few things. My original re-work of one of Hans Christian Anderson's famous fairy tale is called "Steadfast American Soldier." It uses real people instead of toys and takes place just after the American Revolution.
If the plot is a bit more original, I try to focus on the themes, characters, and the plot itself for a good title. "Nightmares and Regrets" was easy enough. Both are prevalent in that fanfic, as it plays on the characteristics of the two major characters (Jordan's remorse at his past, Crane's obsession with fear). For an example of an original work, I have a story called "Poisoned," which focuses on not only a literal poisoning, but a metaphorical one based on a relationship that gets increasingly more tainted and deadly as time goes on. Which, ironically enough, is in a series of short stories that needs a title.
I guess in short, double meanings are always a good thing to look for. XP
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:46 pm
Racheling, I'm not so fantastic with titles either. In fact, my most favorite titles that actually fit my stories are usually from other books. (They're generic, so its not straight up plagerism<--- I also don't know how to spell that word).
I stick to giving my stories titles after I write them. By then, my story has gone through most of its changes already, and I know it really well, so I can choose something fitting.
Nightmare, you're alot more helpful. I also haven't seen you around lately.
I love symbolic titles- the best ever is 'The House of the Scorpion' (I always have to vouch for that book because its my favorite).
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:40 pm
I fail at titles. I have word document names, not titles. If I ever had to actually come up with a title, I'd be so SOL.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:54 pm
Nightmare has been eaten alive by schoolwork and will try to be around more. She promises to try to be around more now that things are winding down.
"Plagiarism."
And because I failed to answer the question, titles that catch my attention are brief and to the point, like Corpse Bride, Godchild, or Batman.
I am also fond of "[x] of/before [y]" titles. The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Phantom of the Opera, Night of the Living Dummy, etc. A lot of my favorite things follow that format. XP
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:57 pm
I've never thought so much about titles because I've never had a very immediate or desperate need for them (I figure I'll come up with something good when I'm finally about to be published).
Nightmare, now that you mention it, I really like of/before titles too. With short titles, it depends on the word. If its really common and over-used like 'The Blade' I just really don't care for it.
But, I'm not to picky about other people's titles. Just mine.
I think school work has pretty much become an epidemic thats swallowing the nation. I think teenagers could be put to better use.
Aurin, word document names are the way to go. Then when you post your progess, you can be like "Title: Attempt #4, word count: 15,000" XD
Don't we have a thread full of titles that aren't being used? I swear I saw one lingering around here... maybe its in the writer's forum.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:55 am
This is true. The word or phrase needs to be catchy and a little unique. I still it when they are to the point, though. Because I am picky, though, I dislike titles that have nothing to do with the story context.
What about college students? XP
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 am
Thanks for the replies. ^^
I was thinking about what titles I like, and I had it in my head that I don't like one-word titles that much, but then I immediately thought of a bunch of counter-examples. Holes, Fingersmith, Monster.
Then I was thinking of titles like The Golden Compass. I don't think it's a particularly interesting title, but because I like the book, the title now calls up scenes and images from the book. So it might be harder for me to judge what titles I like if I already have an opinion of the book.
I know what I like when it comes to nonfiction titles, though. I like titles that tell me the book will be about a specific subset of people or professions. I like nonfiction that really gets into crazy details about history. Rough Medicine: Surgeons at Sea in the Age of Sail, or The Floating Brothel: The Extraordinary True Story of an Eighteenth-Century Ship and Its Cargo of Female Convicts. But even just Rough Medicine or The Floating Brothel would be enough to get me interested.
Well, I'd have thought after a year of working on this book, I'd have a few more ideas for titles. I think I'll just stick to my working title for now, until someone tells me to think of something better. Maybe I just need some actual pressure. XD
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:39 pm
Its hard to say how I come up with titles, they just sorta pop into my brain, but there is a thread in the writer's forum where people trade titles, if you need some inspiration. Good Luck! : )
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:06 pm
The funny thing about titles is that no one can really help you unless they know your story.
And who is going to post their uncopyrighted story online? I'll be the first to say, "Not me!"
Of course there are a few things we (cough cough, Nightmare) can say to encourage you, or give you very vauge ideas, but in the end, there's a level of specificality that only you can deal with.
Specificality is not a word, is it?
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:10 pm
Oh, I'm aware I can't get specific help without posting a synopsis of the book at the very least.
I guess I'm really hoping to strike upon some brilliant method of picking titles that will continue to help me. Not that I expect to get that either, just hoping a title discussion will spark something. xd
Your story is automatically copyrighted to you as soon as you write it, though. 3nodding The thing about posting it online is mostly about first publication rights, which is more or less of an issue depending on who you're talking to.
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:18 pm
I am still looking for brilliant methods for all sorts of things, not only pertaining to writing. The most notable would be research; I dont want to sift through all the useless details. I just want what I need in front of me, now!
And you know what, help is only a second priority to conversation. Three cheers for a thread that doesn't die before its second page!
I am oblivious to all things pertaining to copyrighting. All I know, is that I need to get it. How, when, where... yeah, I'll figure that out after I actually write my book.
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