Galang Lufityanto

Writing Tips

How to create a good title for your story

Indonesian version click here

Some people have a hard time to create a title for their short stories, some others find it easy. The title simply represents the outline of the story. How to differ the story from others. How to tell the reader a big picture, prior to reading the whole story. But it does not come easy, especially when writers take it too seriously. It is all about how to make the short story eye-catching without being tacky. Some people overdid it, and so often it did not bring a good result.  When the title becomes "too good to be true", readers would be possibly concerned that it could trick them. Most of them will leave the story unread. It is such a nightmare for any of writer, as I reckoned. Sometimes a writer forgets that the reader is also smart and capable to make judgement promptly by only seeing the title. So, no room for doubt, you need to create a decent title otherwise you will always keep you story for yourself.      

Here are some thoughts about making a title of a short story:

1. The easiest way to make title is by putting a setting of when and where the scene written in the story happened. It is called a strategy to put the reader in "here and now" situation. But I sometimes called it a sign of desperation for not being able to provide a better title. So, all I can say is : doing this is not really a wise decision. Me myself is not impressed by a story that has a title containing setting. But it is somewhat a safe thing to do. Sometimes it will work well for some readers who happen to be familiar with the setting. It at least will give them sense of belonging. So I suggest you can consider it as a "plan B", when all anticipations seem can not work well.

2. Do not create a title which allows reader to guess the ending of the story. It will take the reader's right to enjoy the suspense away. In this case, I would not recommend you to create a title using "Tragedy of..., Karma, Gloomy Day at....., etc.

3. Sometimes a writer should consider the rhyme of the title to make it uniquely pronounced and magically leave something (you may call it "sensation") that makes reader think how creative the writer is.

4. Some writers may keep the title short since they think short sentence has more impression and power than the long one. Maybe it is now the time to realize why most of swearing words only consists of one word? And what the h*** I'm talking about? B***!! But do not worry if you are happened to be a fans of "long sentences", you may keep that way but please be careful about it. You need to practice reading the title out loud, then adjust it until you find it is easily understood by the readers.

5. You may take consideration to put two things which are in contract together in one title. It will stimulate the readers to get to know more about the connection between those two things. And the only way to know that is no other then by reading the whole story. I thought the title "You Love Me, You Love Me Not" (Movie) or "Good Morning and Good Bye" (Movie) will lead you into curiousity. So, I guess this method is worth trying.

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