Does anyone else reach a state of mild panic after a fic is written because it looks like it's going to take longer to find a title than to write the actual fic
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I've used a number of Bruce lyrics for titles. In SPN I try to use artists that would be Dean-approved. *g* I use poetry, and once I used a John Glen quote. Other times it's a phrase I came up with myself, an idea pulled from the story or loosely related to it.
I go through this so often, so I thought I'd poke the flist and find out how other people do it.
That makes a lot of sense. Use artists that are right for that character.
Although I don't feel that way using poets, for some reason, with poetry almost anything provided the imagery is right -- and I don't really see a big difference, lyrics are poetry after all.
Does anyone else reach a state of mild panic after a fic is written because it looks like it's going to take longer to find a title than to write the actual fic?
Yes!
I ask my betas for thoughts, I look through the fic to see if a random piece of dialogue or description jumps out at me, I get out a sheet of paper and list anything that could possibly work as a title (even the really stupid ones) until something pops, or I look through my book of quotations.
(Sometimes I have specific things to look for: writing a story about Colby Granger from Numb3rs, I went looking for Army unit mottos online, and ended up finding something brilliant.)
I've asked betas, but usually it's on me. I tend to go for quite obvious titles, though they usually have another meaning for me.
I was reading a book of short stories the other day, and found the PERFECT title for my Yuletide fic.
If you're truly stumped, try asking your beta(s), or just shrug it off for a day, and see if a book, a song, a TV show, or a commercial sparks something for you.
I'm sure I'll be pestering my beta (who probably has the same difficulty!)
I think I've gotten in the habit of going for more elaborate titles, and it's not really necessary -- it doesn't have to be the perfect phrase or quote from just the right poem or song. Sometimes I've done well with one-word titles. (Supernatural itself has been all over the place with that, they just crack me up with their title habits).
When I'm having trouble with a title, I usually look at my text and try to find a good image that seems to sum up the story, then shorten that to a suitable title. It helps that I really like imagery and usually have something that stands out to me. :) I think it's a muscle, just like writing is a muscle--if you keep exercising it, it gets easier.
(Honestly, I think it's a cop out to take your title from a song or poem or something. You say you're a writer, so write your own titles, right? I feel kinda bad for being a snob like that, though.)
Going back to the text sounds like a good idea -- pulling out a phrase or an idea.
I don't think it's a cop out. I think I prefer writing my own phrases or just using a word or two rather than pulling a quote from somewhere but it depends -- the times I've used a quote, it was just so perfect (even if I only found it after a ton of searching) and caught the right mood or theme. Sometimes there will be a song I listen to a lot while working on a fic, and then realize the title was inside it.
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I go through this so often, so I thought I'd poke the flist and find out how other people do it.
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(The comment has been removed)
Although I don't feel that way using poets, for some reason, with poetry almost anything provided the imagery is right -- and I don't really see a big difference, lyrics are poetry after all.
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Yes!
I ask my betas for thoughts, I look through the fic to see if a random piece of dialogue or description jumps out at me, I get out a sheet of paper and list anything that could possibly work as a title (even the really stupid ones) until something pops, or I look through my book of quotations.
(Sometimes I have specific things to look for: writing a story about Colby Granger from Numb3rs, I went looking for Army unit mottos online, and ended up finding something brilliant.)
Reply
Reply
I was reading a book of short stories the other day, and found the PERFECT title for my Yuletide fic.
If you're truly stumped, try asking your beta(s), or just shrug it off for a day, and see if a book, a song, a TV show, or a commercial sparks something for you.
Reply
I think I've gotten in the habit of going for more elaborate titles, and it's not really necessary -- it doesn't have to be the perfect phrase or quote from just the right poem or song. Sometimes I've done well with one-word titles. (Supernatural itself has been all over the place with that, they just crack me up with their title habits).
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(Honestly, I think it's a cop out to take your title from a song or poem or something. You say you're a writer, so write your own titles, right? I feel kinda bad for being a snob like that, though.)
Reply
I don't think it's a cop out. I think I prefer writing my own phrases or just using a word or two rather than pulling a quote from somewhere but it depends -- the times I've used a quote, it was just so perfect (even if I only found it after a ton of searching) and caught the right mood or theme. Sometimes there will be a song I listen to a lot while working on a fic, and then realize the title was inside it.
Reply
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