  Short Stories
This week: The Great Title Quest Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf Short Story Newsletter
Every time I go to write a story, I have to come up with a new title and it's a challenge every time. This newsletter looks at some ways to try and inspire a short story title. |
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When coming up with and writing a short story, there are two things in particular that give me problems (both are vexing struggles almost every single time for me). First is coming up with a title for the whole story and the other is character names, which let's fact it, that's just giving people titles. Every time, every story needs to be called something and that means trying to figure out a title each time I create an item here on WDC.
It does vex me a little because the title is very important to the story. It's one of the first things the reader sees and has to catch their attention. While it helps that the title hints at something within the story, the degree of connection and how it will be interpreted can vary.
One thing to remember, especially when writing a first draft, is that the first title you pick doesn't have to be the title of the final product. Sometimes it helps to have a work in progress title, a sort of place holder for when the right inspiration strikes. Only trouble is sometimes you use a title (or name) for so long that it's hard to think of the story being called anything else.
Now, where are some sources for inspiration with titles? There are a few options you can consider when on the hunt for a the right title for your story. Inspiration for the title is much like inspiration for the story, so the options are somewhat similar. We will just look at a few: Internet, Surroundings, Music, Contests & Prompts.
1. Internet
With the sea of information comes the opportunity for inspiration. Whether you use a google search (looking for images can inspire stories, so could also inspire their titles as well), check out different web sites or even use generators, there are ways to get inspired from just spending time searching the internet. It can also be a distraction from working on the story, so be careful in that regard.
2. Surroundings
Look around. While it might seem strange, there are many things around us that could help to inspire a title. Take a break from the computer and go for a walk, or spend time with friends and family. You never know when inspiration can strike. I had a novel title come to me when I was bored when we lost power for a few hours and I couldn't get on the internet. At times, I also get inspired when walking in the park or at work. I even got a story title from a sign on a truck for music performance one time while driving. Never know what will be the cause of that light bulb moment when we look around us at any time of the day.
3. Music
I'm a fan of music for writing inspiration in general so it's not surprise that I also have found it useful when coming up with story titles. I have a couple novel titles inspired by songs and the occasional short story one as well. Whether it's something from the lyrics, the actual song title or even just an aspect of the experience you get while listening to a particular song, there is much inspiration to be had from music. Try out different genres of music too if needing to mix things up or attempting a story genre that is a bit out of your comfort zone.
4. Contests and Prompts
Finally, a good source for a title can be found here on WDC within the many different contests and their prompts. Even if you never enter a contest, there are some that come with great ideas and just searching through the different contests on the site should spark some creativity. There are many different ones out there and while you're at it, you could consider entering some of the too. However, I will add that as a contest owner, I don't recommend people using a prompt for the title if they are entering the story in that contest. In my contest "What If...?" I have it in the rules to try and not use the prompt as the title. It can seem a little lackluster but also, if a contest has several entries and they all have the same title, that gets confusing and makes it harder for your story to stand out. So, inspiration but also consider that when using prompts as titles.
There are many different sources of inspiration for stories and their vexing titles. How you find yours may differ than how I come up with mine. Plus, it can vary from story to story. Now go find some story titles and get writing.
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What sources of inspiration do you use for your titles?
Oddly enough, my last short stories newsletter was a year ago, on August 6th. Way back then, I wrote about word counts lengths and received a number of comments in return. Here are a few of them:
Comment by Elle - on hiatus 
I prefer the short story word count range. I did try to write a novel once, but at this stage is more of a novella. 
Comment by Indelible Ink 
For the question: Which is your favorite word count range? Is there one you haven't tried yet?
My favorite range is 2000-4000 words. I have found that for me, personally, my attention span is limited, and I don't want to spend too much time on a story before moving on. That's probably an awful admission for a writer to make, but it's true (for me). I think 2-4k provides just enough space to get the important details regarding the characters, storyline, etc., in. I'm trying to talk myself into doing (a.k.a. "trying") a novelette just for the experience and to see if I can actually force myself to focus on something for more than a few days. I have a couple of ideas for novels which I always say I'm going to get going on, but I always conveniently find something else "more important" to do.
So I don't stray too far outside my comfort zone, even if I'd like to.
Comment by Osirantinous 
Dawn, this newsletter on lengths is so timely! I really had no idea between a novella and a novelette. In fact, I really didn't know what Flash Fiction meant, though I've been writing for contests of that 1000-word limit for a while! I'm considering entering "Invalid Item" , which will be a challenge. I'm a novelist but I can write short; I'm not entirely sure, however, that I can write mid-length and have it come out right! And thanks for highlighting The Baby, written for a contest that thankfully upped its word limit.
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Short Stories: August 05, 2015 Issue [#7140]
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