The Smuggler Returns = a story about a smuggler who returns.
Immediately the reader thinks, who is this smuggler? to where is he returning? Unanswered questions mean suspense. So this title contains suspense too. And action. And also a suggestion of conflict: something has changed, something is significant in this smuggler returning.
As well as titles being right for the story genre, I teach my creative writing students that good titles should contain at least one of the following:
- action
- drama
- intrigue
- suspense
- conflict
Pocket Novel titles almost always contain one or more of these elements which reflects the fact that they contain action, suspense and drama. They are active stories with a keen pace and page turning quality. Good stories in the classic sense. My own Pocket Novel titles are no exception:
Fateful Deception
Intrigue, drama, suspense
The Restless Heart
Conflict, drama, action
The Smuggler Returns
Conflict, action, suspense
Secrets at City Hospital
Intrigue, drama, suspense
What are your favourite titles and what makes them stand out?
I love chosing titles and can't get on with a story or novel without one! Completely agree about that suspense aspect.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Rosemary. I must have that title before I begin. :)
DeleteHi it's Cara here.
ReplyDeleteMany, many congratulations Rosemary on your short story competition win that you blogged about recently, well deserved!
On titles, I find sometimes the title comes really easily and at other times it's like pulling teeth. I've noticed quite a few good titles are either alliterative or onomatopaeic (if that's how you spell it) - they sort of have a lilt to them like, 'Great Expectations' or 'Forever Amber' as well as being engimatic and inviting you to find out more. One of the longest and most intriguing titles I know is a book my sister bought me called, 'All fun and Games Until Someone Loses an Eye' by Christopher Brookmyre - it's on my to be read pile. With pocket novels though Kate you are right in that the title should give a clear indication of what's inside. One of mine, I called 'The Sanctuary' because I think most people dream of some sort of sanctuary from the hurly burly of everyday life. I like, 'Secrets at City Hospital' for its intrigue.
Oh, that's kind of you, Cara - thank you!
ReplyDeleteLots of useful pointers here, Kate.
ReplyDeleteI’m one of those authors who struggle with titles. It’s so important to get it right (even if editors do later change it)
If I haven’t found the right title (in my eyes, at least) I don’t commit to the story in the same way.
Kate, I absolutely must start with a title and they mostly come fairly easily. One in particular has haunted me now for quite some time and, although the story is well plotted, I still can't bring myself to start writing it because it still doesn't "feel" right.
ReplyDeleteMy titles pretty much half and half either reflect the story [Starting Again, Nanny Wanted e.g.] or the setting [Outback Hero, Wombat Creek, Ocean Blue].
And I agree, it's a real drawcard to have a hint or promise of mystery or secret. Titles really are important and we give them a lot of consideration.