| No matter how fantastic the short story you have | | | | confused with another story of the same name. They |
| written may be, without a catchy title the chances are | | | | can be similar without being exact. |
| good that an editor will not read it. The title is the most | | | | So how do you spark your creativity to come up with |
| important part of the story as this is what first | | | | the perfect title for your story? The following are a |
| captures the reader's attention. | | | | handful of ways to awaken your muse.a. A short line |
| A good title should grab the reader and make them | | | | of dialogue or a memorable sentence from your story |
| wonder what the story is about. A bad title will | | | | can sometimes be the right choice.b. A common |
| probably cause the reader to skip the story altogether. | | | | phrase or expression can often be found that sums up |
| This holds true when submitting your stories for | | | | the theme of your story. Or use a play on words, |
| publication. Editors are busy people and will pass on | | | | where only one element of the phrase is changed.c. |
| the story, often without reading the first sentence, if | | | | Borrow a line from an established work. Look at |
| your title doesn't capture their interest. | | | | Shakespeare, the Bible or other well known book, song |
| The title of your story will tell the editor a lot about | | | | or movie.d. Use one your main characters' names. |
| your creativity. If your title is strong, an editor will be | | | | Think along the lines of 'Tom Sawyer' or Stephen |
| more likely to look at your story with a positive attitude. | | | | King's 'Christine'.e. Likewise, your title can be your |
| So how do you come up with a good title? Below is a | | | | setting. Think of Brokeback Mountain, Lost in Space, |
| small list of tips to help you come up with an attention | | | | etc...f. A good title can convey the main idea of your |
| grabbing title. | | | | story. 'Misery' or 'Legends of the Fall' are good |
| 1. Keep it short, no more than four or five words. Even | | | | examples.g. Use word association to link together |
| two or three word titles are generally more than | | | | elements of the story.h. Allow the action to determine |
| enough. If you can come up with a single word that | | | | the name. By adding an 'ing' to the first word, you can |
| conveys something about your story, even better. | | | | come up with a catchy title. Some examples of this |
| 2. Avoid boring titles. Don't name your story something | | | | could be Chasing Rainbows or Dreaming Life Away. |
| like 'The Monster' or 'The Sea' as these are dull and | | | | Often, you can spend hours coming up with a title only |
| boring, and too generalized. Instead, try for something | | | | to have the editor change it after accepting the story |
| that evokes emotion. 'Under the Bed' would be a good | | | | for publication. Sometimes the new title will make little |
| title for a scary story and 'High Tides' works better for | | | | sense to you. While you may think your title is perfect, |
| a story based on the ocean. | | | | the editor knows the publication's readers well and |
| 3. Make sure your title fits your genre. Don't name a | | | | may think the alternative is a better choice. And while |
| whodunit with a title that could be confused with a | | | | this may irk your ego, knowing the story will be |
| romance story. | | | | published is its own reward. |
| 4. Make your title easy to remember. This is another | | | | However you come up with the title to your short |
| reason to keep the title short. Use your creativity to | | | | story, remember it is the first impression the editor will |
| come up with something catchy that relates to the | | | | have about your writing abilities. Like the logline to a |
| theme, the action, or the characters of the story. A | | | | screenplay or the first paragraph of a novel, the title |
| memorable title allows your readers to recommend | | | | should represent the story they are about to read. At |
| your story to others. | | | | the end of the day, you want the editor to remember |
| 5. Research the title you come up with. Although titles | | | | your story and place it in the 'accepted for publication' |
| are not copyrighted, you don't want your story | | | | stack on their desk. |