One of my biggest obstacles in writing is titles. I always find it a difficult thing, and I'm not entirely sure why.
Are you put off by reading untitled works in progress? Anyone have links to discussions or articles on titling effectively?
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
There is an excellent discussion on how to title books around here somewhere, I'll see if I can dig it up. But as to naming works in progress, most of my WIPS have temporary titles and I really don't pay attention to titles when reading other's WIPS.
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
Here are a couple of discussions on titles. The first one contains a link to an interesting article and the second one...skip down to Eric's post.
Posted by TheoPhileo (Member # 1914) on :
I agree with Christine (I think that would be my sig, if this forum allowed sigs). For me, my titles usually come to me at some point toward the end of writing my first draft. Occasionally, I just can't come up with anything, at which point, I make due with whatever meager idea I an scrounge up.
Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :
A useful website all around, SWFA has a particularly helpful link on titles, in my opinion.
Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :
Titles aren't really all the vital. They do count a bit if you're publishing novels, just for the "grab off the shelf" factor. Otherwise, people typically forget them.
Posted by TheoPhileo (Member # 1914) on :
That's generally true, but I do appreciate it when I can look back at the title after finishing a work, and realizing it has a significant meaning in the story on more than one level.
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
Yes. That's what I like: multiple meanings. But I admit, one's enough.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
I generally don't have problems with titles. They just come to me. If I can't think of a decent title (like my bootcamp story) then I don't have the story right. Often I'll come up with the title first and wrap the story around it. I can't tell you how to come up with them, I just do.
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
Oh great. Now I've got something else to worry about. I HAVE a title for my current WIP, but the titling of chapters has led me to the Pit of Despair. I can easily spend as much time fretting over a title to a chapter as I did writing the bloody chapter in the first place. I finally resolved my current dilema by calling them "Chapter One, Chapter Two," etc. It never occurred to me that my inability to title things would be a curse for future manuscripts. I'd better start hoarding titles now.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Just think about the chapter in question and decide what the most important theme was. From there, you can try to make a witty turn of phrase, or just call it something relevant. Case in point, my first novel's first chapter takes place in Greenland. I called the chapter..."Greenland." The last chapter is titled "Ashes to Ashes, Ice to Ice." It's appropriate, but would probably take 1000 words to explain.
In any event, there's no rule that says you NEED chapter titles.
[This message has been edited by Spaceman (edited July 30, 2005).]
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
quote:Titles aren't really all the vital. They do count a bit if you're publishing novels, just for the "grab off the shelf" factor. Otherwise, people typically forget them.
I'm not sure that's completely true. I've read a comment by at least one editor which said that a good title is the first thing that grabs them in the slush pile. So, while a bad title may not kill you, a good one can be your first hook.