Story Titles

Okay, I have decided to make a thread over this topic because I think people need to be reminded of what a good story title is.

Story titles are the first thing a reader sees about your story. It should be provocative and able to pull the reader in. And that means a title that's somehow connected to the story (or not. depending on what you are writing about) that's simple and written respectably with proper grammar and spelling.

I've been seeing alot of story titles with descriptions in them like: //SLASHY//we sooo fell in luv at that MCR concert!!!!(noah/gerard)

Note: This is NOT an actual story title; just an example.

As an author if you are adding proper search tags and writing a good summary than all that other crap isn't needed in your title (ex: SLASHY, *insert pairing name*)

A story title is good with ten words or less and the first letter of every word capitalized. Don't copy another story title because 1; it's confusing to readers, and 2; it's not an attractive quality. Don't put little stars and fairies and all that crap in your title because it will just immediately be turned away to serious readers. EX: ****I'M IN LUV***

Just remember that your title is obviously a very important element in your story and it should not be abused.

Bottom Line; Be original.

Well said.

Also, people put quotes from their story in the title. Sometimes ("Dad what's masturba---JOEY NOOOO!", it draws the reader in. But most of the time, its damn annoying. "I'll love you always", "Together forever", "We need to talk", "This is our chemical romance", "How could you?" etc. And most of the time, these authors have to work their whole story around that quote so it makes sense. And other times, someone says it in the first chapter and the story goes in a totally different direction.

Makes me want to pull my hair out.

As a serial story reader I have to admit that i judge stories on their titles, i wont even read a story if it has a shitty title.

Using lyrics from songs are okay, but be careful because most likely someone will have used the same lyrics ie. "here comes the rain again" or.. "im the son of rage and love" (yes im listening to american idiot and its hard to think of other green day lyrics whilst typing and singing along)

Mysterious titles are awesome, i really like titles that make you think "i wonder what this one is about"
Titles with a double meaning are great aswell, as in, they sound like a good title but they mean something else after you've read the story.

Very well said.

Another thing would be very long titles, like when you put a sentence for a title. Exemple: ''I think I love you'' Gerard said. ''I know I love you.'' Jennifer said.'' No that is not a used title, I just made an example.

But, being very much of a bookworm myself ,I prefer titles with one to four letters. Sometimes one word can attract readers.