Titles That Tickle My Fancy

Think of a title as the doorway to your literary home. Is it inviting? Is it intriguing? Is it unique to your piece, or just a place holder? 

When titling poems and stories, there are some key elements to keep in mind.

1. Don't be vague. You want to give your reader a taste of what they're about to see. Using concrete and sensory language can help with this. Jeanette McCurdy's memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, does this by taking a line right out of the book. It's a statement that's caught the attention of over two million readers.

2. How does it sound when you say it aloud? Titles should trip over the tongue nicely. Addling a little alliteration can help with this. For example, everyone is familiar with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The alliteration of 'Charlie' and 'Chocolate' makes this title easy to remember and fun to say. Pride and Prejudice is another fine example of alliteration that sticks with you. 

3. Give your title a sense of emotion and anticipation. "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou hints at the poem's tone of defiance and pride. 

4. When all else fails, run your title by a few friends. Ask them if they'd be intrigued enough to read the whole thing. If not, it's time to repaint that door.