Titles, before or after? - Writers Forum

ripshark · 11-09-2003, 12:58 PM

when I sit down to write a story, I sometimes wonder wether to make up a title and work around it or write the story then think of a title. which is better? some of my best stories are still without title, but others I have only written because I though of a title first! what are your opinions on this?

Kimberly Bird · 11-09-2003, 01:55 PM

Hi ripshark, it varies with me when it comes to titles. In my first novel, when I started brainstorming the title was already in my head. My second novel the name was changed 3 times. My third, which I am now just sitting down to edit has been changed again. But my two novels and manuscript that I am now working on, carry the theme of the title throughout the pages. So I guess, at least with me, titles have a tendancy to change.

I see you are from Gilbralter?

Kimberly

Spudley · 11-09-2003, 03:47 PM

When I was at school, a favorite of my english teacher was to give us a list of five or six titles, and we'd have to pick one and write a story from it.

It was something I found fairly easy to do - the titles usually gave me some inspiration - but I always found that by the end of the story I had a better title for it, which was always quite frustrating.

These days I don't tend to start with a title - I'm more likely to start with an central idea or even an opening paragraph. The big exception is the novel I'm busy with, which did start with a title... but as usual, the title is already looking likely to change by the end.

But yes - if it works for you, starting out with a title to help you get inspiration is as good a way to start writing than any other.

AdamR · 11-10-2003, 10:17 AM

I agree with your Spudley. I prefer to come up with my title after I am finished.

I feel that when I make a title first, I have to stick to the title, and not venture off in my stories. Even though I know I can just change the title, it creates a mental block, hindering my writing.

Zassiliss · 11-15-2003, 03:39 PM

I'd have to disagree. Lots of my best stories came from just a random thought I had, and I just put it as the title. I work around the title and form a story.

David Kenneth Johnson · 11-15-2003, 04:43 PM

At times a phrase or title strikes me that simply demands an accompanying text; other times one emerges early in the writing process that helps motivate me to the finish line.

DKJ

Capulet · 11-15-2003, 05:28 PM

I choose a title after I've finished writing the story or poem. It's hard to give something a really appropriate title without knowing exactly what it is.

David Kenneth Johnson · 11-15-2003, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capulet

It's hard to give something a really appropriate title without knowing exactly what it is.

True enough, except in those instances where the title gives birth to the prose.

DkJ

Spudley · 11-15-2003, 05:55 PM

As I said, starting out with a title is a great way to get inspiration. Just don't let yourself get contrained by it.

If the story takes an unexpected direction, don't be afraid to change the title, even if you liked the original one. (if it was that good a title, you can always use again some other time)

Zassiliss · 11-15-2003, 08:43 PM

What's really odd is that sometimes when I write a story, the title ends up to have nothing to do with the actual story, and at those times I just leave the title as a metaphorical thing, or change it, if I ever.