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How important is the title? Options · View
DanielleX
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2012 4:53:18 AM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 11/6/2011
Posts: 129
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
How much thought do you put in to choosing the title of your story? Do you take into consideration how many views/votes it will receive, when you chose the title?

Danielle x



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Dancing_Doll
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2012 7:24:37 AM

Rank: Alpha Blonde

Joined: 2/17/2010
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Location: In your dirty fantasies
I prefer clean/subtle titles rather than the 'I Fucked my Boss on the Boardroom Table' declaration style titles. I tend to assume the latter will probably be a shorter quicker read (penthouse letter style) and just doesn't feel as creative or intriguing to me.

I don't take views or votes into account. I just pick the title that I like best. I definitely put thought into it - sometimes I'll know the title before I even start writing, other times it comes to me halfway through the process. Often, there's nothing sexual implied by the titles I choose (eg. The Blue Room, Fade to Black, The Cabo Connection).

I do think the more abstract titles definitely have a different kind of reading audience than the sexual action-oriented titles. I associate them as being longer reads with more character development and build-up. As long as the title fits the style of story then it should bring in the right kind of readers.


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sprite
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2012 8:35:28 AM

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Location: Oz, United States
i am crap at picking titles, tho i do tend to go with the same method DD uses - something that isn't blatant and that kind of fits the overall tone of the story - that said, if anyone wants to take over actually titling my stories, i'd be ever so grateful :)

edit-i broke my rule and titled two stories rather rudely, but the point of those stories was to write a tongue in cheek really over the top nasty incest story with everything and the kitchen sink thrown in, just to prove a point - and, of course, the damn think ended up earning me a badge for famous stories *sighs*



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DanielleX
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2012 9:41:03 AM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 11/6/2011
Posts: 129
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Incest repulses me to the bone. However, I did wonder what reaction the title 'No Daddy it hurts!' would get in terms of views even if the content was quite mild. Let me just stress, I'm not writing that, but just saying...

More seriously, I do think that some of my own stories have received more views/votes/comments just from the title. I wonder if 'Caught wanking in my panties' would have been so well received if it were called 'Masturbatory Underwear - a recollection.'

:p



A Royal Affair - A modern fairy tale of love, sex and passion
Poppet
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2012 12:55:43 PM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 10/5/2012
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Location: Where Dreams Come True, United States
I actually suck at like names and titles and such but when I am naming a story I normally go off what the story is based off. Like the large part of what the story is. If the story is of a sub misbehaving it’ll be She knew she did wrong, or if it’s a tease in a car, Road trip tease, etc. That’s normally how I do it. Sometimes I sit there and think for a while like what the hell am I going to name this one. It comes to me eventually.
It is however important, though not as big as the tags. I think the tags are more important than the title, but that’s just me.

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CurlyGirly
Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2012 6:35:41 AM

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Joined: 10/5/2012
Posts: 952
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Dancing_Doll wrote:
I prefer clean/subtle titles rather than the 'I Fucked my Boss on the Boardroom Table' declaration style titles. I tend to assume the latter will probably be a shorter quicker read (penthouse letter style) and just doesn't feel as creative or intriguing to me.

I don't take views or votes into account. I just pick the title that I like best. I definitely put thought into it - sometimes I'll know the title before I even start writing, other times it comes to me halfway through the process. Often, there's nothing sexual implied by the titles I choose (eg. The Blue Room, Fade to Black, The Cabo Connection).

I do think the more abstract titles definitely have a different kind of reading audience than the sexual action-oriented titles. I associate them as being longer reads with more character development and build-up. As long as the title fits the style of story then it should bring in the right kind of readers.


Agree.

I do put thought into my titles, but don't choose them to get more votes/views. One story is "The Conference Call," which I like better than "I Rubbed One Out on his Desk." I probably would've gotten more votes with the latter, but I like to keep it more erotic than pornish. I don't like sexually explicit titles as much as I don't like sexually explicit user names, but that's just me.



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cocokisses
Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2012 7:02:35 AM

Rank: Story Lover

Joined: 7/22/2011
Posts: 2,592
Location: Fantasy City, United States
Titles are hugely important to me. Often, I find that I stress over choosing a title. However, I tend to begin a story with a title in mind and name it as such, but sometimes the story morphs into something different and a title change is needed. I too prefer the abstract, in fact as a reader, I'm apt to not read a story titled "Bending Over the Desk and Fucked by Daddy." If your title is long, I'm apt not to read it. There is something to be said for seducing a reader into reading your story with a title. I don't care about bringing views/votes in with a title, I name it what I want without that even coming to mind. Sure I'd like it loads of folks read my stuff and comment on it, but if a single person read, loved it and said so, I am over the moon!

As a mod, I can tell right away what the story will be about from it's title if you create one of the titles mentioned in this post. Being creative is much better!

Kal-El85
Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2012 7:30:51 AM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 10/22/2010
Posts: 1,343
Location: Philadelphia, United States
I think the title of a story is just as important as the actual story itself. The title catches the reader's eye and is the thing that makes them want to (or not) venture into the story's fictional world.
seeker4
Posted: Monday, December 10, 2012 10:02:36 AM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 10/17/2012
Posts: 502
I aim for a title that captures the mood of the story and maybe hints at the content in some way, which is also the sort of title that tends to get my eye as a reader, too. For instance, "One Beautiful Morning" draws on the mood of the story rather than content. I don't tend to go explicit in the title unless it's a pure stroke story and even then I'd likely not do anything too "pornish".

I pick the title when I'm finished at least one draft so I know exactly where I'm at with the story but often don't get the title settled until posting time. I find it can be a struggle to get it "just right".

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Guest
Posted: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 3:33:03 AM

Rank: Lurker

Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 327,066
Dancing_Doll wrote:
I prefer clean/subtle titles rather than the 'I Fucked my Boss on the Boardroom Table' declaration style titles. I tend to assume the latter will probably be a shorter quicker read (penthouse letter style) and just doesn't feel as creative or intriguing to me.


I agree. A title can hook you in, and sometimes it is best if the title does not give too much away.
NymphWriter
Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2012 4:20:14 PM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 8/1/2012
Posts: 171
Location: The dark corners of my mind, United States
Often my titles start off as a way for me to remember the story as I save it. Sometimes it changes to better fit the story... but it's not something I put a lot of though into. I've had stories that have been posted with the original title, and others I have changed the title on as it fit the story better.

I do wish I put more thought into some of my titles... and lately I have... some are more "cryptic" than others... but if you read the story you understand it quickly enough. Might be why many of my stories don't get the hits I would like... but I do try to provide a hint or two in the description of the story. read2

NymphWriter
pixiedust65
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 8:11:46 AM

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Joined: 1/17/2013
Posts: 332
Location: Over the Rainbow, Canada
I also try not to make my titles too pornographic. I try to make them fit the style of the story, or have it relate to the story in some way. My last story for instance, 'Trust Your Senses'. She was blindfolded, so her sense of taste, touch, and smell were the only ones she could rely on. Seemed to fit when I thought of it, but even now I am doubting it. I find the title to sometimes be the hardest thing about the story.

SITTING
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 2:32:14 AM

Rank: Story Verifier

Joined: 8/11/2011
Posts: 503
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
CurlyGirly wrote:


Agree.

I do put thought into my titles, but don't choose them to get more votes/views. One story is "The Conference Call," which I like better than "I Rubbed One Out on his Desk." I probably would've gotten more votes with the latter, but I like to keep it more erotic than pornish. I don't like sexually explicit titles as much as I don't like sexually explicit user names, but that's just me.


I agree with this. The titles with a load of words like 'cum' and 'slut' just don't do anything for me. I kinda think 'If they can't even create a half-decent title, the story's gonna suck.'

overmykneenow
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 3:27:35 AM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 6/8/2010
Posts: 716
Location: United Kingdom
I prefer a shorter, more intriguing title than anything too literal. There's more on choosing a title in this thread too...

http://www.lushstories.com/forum/yaf_postst23559_Appropriate-story-title.aspx

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Jayne33
Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013 2:40:37 PM

Rank: Story Verifier

Joined: 6/5/2012
Posts: 103
Location: United Kingdom
sprite wrote:
i am crap at picking titles, tho i do tend to go with the same method DD uses - something that isn't blatant and that kind of fits the overall tone of the story - that said, if anyone wants to take over actually titling my stories, i'd be ever so grateful :)


I agree totally with Sprite and DD, I find the tittle one of the hardest part. I wanted to find a something simple, that captures the feel and plot for that chapter.
Guest
Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2013 6:22:13 AM

Rank: Lurker

Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 327,066
I try to write something that'll get people's attention. They can't enjoy it unless they decide to read it first.
clum
Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2013 9:55:01 AM

Rank: Clumeleon

Joined: 5/13/2011
Posts: 2,966
Location: United Kingdom
I quite often use suitable metaphors as titles which refer literally to something in the story and, on another level, to some part of the message of the story.

For example, Playing By The Rules is a story which revolves around an actual game invented and played by the two main characters. However, on a deeper level, it's about a different game which neither of them was really aware they were playing and how the "rules" were affecting their relationship. Opening Night is similar, but the metaphor is more subtle than even I appreciated at the time.

Help The Aged is also a title of mine with a dual-meaning. Fucking love that story.

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GentWithHandcuffs
Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2013 1:48:45 PM

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Joined: 11/15/2012
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Location: Lincoln Park, United States
Personally, I think the story is basically the writer's way to invite others in, so it holds great importance, there are a great amount of people who make that "should I red this or no?" decision based off the title.

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Metilda
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2013 10:06:19 PM

Rank: Forum Guru

Joined: 3/10/2013
Posts: 113
Location: United States
DanielleX wrote:
How much thought do you put in to choosing the title of your story? Do you take into consideration how many views/votes it will receive, when you chose the title?

Danielle x


You know - I'm guilty of only reading title to choose what I want to read. I don't always - but often. . . so it should be focused on the overall point of the piece. One word - a sentence . . . I'm not picky so long as it gives a good idea.
Michael
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2013 11:51:20 PM

Rank: Author

Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
I do put a fair amount of thought into the title. They represent the only words a potential reader will see as they peruse the variety of stories available, and will often be the single opportunity you have to present your story.
That said, on Lush it is less important, as the reader will also see the first few lines of the story, so one should strive for an enticing opening sequence.


Andee
Posted: Sunday, April 07, 2013 3:38:06 AM

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Joined: 3/7/2013
Posts: 125
Location: Mostly the couch, Canada
Mine haven't been extremely brilliant. It's something that is a double-edged sword though ... especially in the erotica genre. Most readers are "scanners" and from what I see, tend to click on the stuff that spells it out as opposed to the witty and metaphorical

"If you knew what you were doing you would probably be bored."

hardnhot18
Posted: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 9:39:09 AM

Rank: Active Ink Slinger

Joined: 9/3/2012
Posts: 22
I like a clean title that perhaps poses an intriguing image or scenario. Though there is a nice direct simplicity to, ahem, "I rubbed one out on his desk" - had to smile at that one. If the "this is what happens in my story -- BOOM" style of title sounds hot to me, hey, I might read it, even enjoy it. But I probably won't respect myself afterwards. :)

Now subtitles, I don't mind dragging those into the smut. Something I've started doing is picking a favorite line or something that sounds like a decent hook from the story and making that the subtitle.
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