You've spent hours working on a piece of fanfiction that you're excited to put out for others to read.Give your story a title.The right title can perfectly encompass a story, alluding to prominent themes and providing a succinct lens through which to view the events of the plot.Being forgettable is the worst offense in fiction writing because the wrong title can feel clumsy and fail to capture the reader's interest.It's important to know what features make a good title when naming your fanfiction.
Step 1: Pick a title.
While you're working on your fanfiction, come up with a temporary title.Anything will do as a working title, as you will be changing it when or before you complete the story.While you deal with the writing process, working titles can round out the presentation of your story, giving you something to look at other than a blank page.It is helpful to choose a title that deals with a central idea, character, or event in your fanfiction.Having a basic idea of what label describes your story can prevent you from having to change it later on.The writer is forced to distill what is important about the story to them into a single word or phrase if the title is improvised.
Step 2: Think about your audience.
Your reader is likely to be a fan of the work you have based your fanfiction on, so strive to present to them something fresh while staying in the vein of your source material.Fanfiction will be somewhat exclusive to certain readers, but keep your work accessible by selecting a title that will interest even non-fans.Titillate fans of the material you're talking about.The names of well-known characters or other details from the source material can be used in your title."Murphy's Bargain" or "Journey to Kyrandia" will give fans a sense of what to expect from your story.
Step 3: Pull out your story.
Your fanfiction is about something.It is somewhere.Some characters are featured.Any of these can be used to find the right title.Your title should say something about your story.To craft your fanfiction, you need to single out one idea or set of ideas that are arresting enough to carry the weight of your story.Since fanfiction takes creative license with other works, highlight the originality of your story by using a fictional invention in your title.Don't get too abstract with the title of your fanfiction because you can get away with it.Your title should inform the reader of the type of fanfiction it is but also show a new image.
Step 4: You can use active language.
Don't leave your reader guessing with a vague title.The name of your fanfiction should evoke a response in the reader and move them to read your work."Man the Cannons" is more effective than "The Great Sea Battle" because it is indicative of action.It's important to keep your title consistent with the type of fanfiction you're writing.A story about Dr. Who might be titled "Dr.Who: A Case of Star Sickness," while a fanfiction about Indiana Jones could be called "Indiana Jones and the Emerald of Skull Island."
Step 5: Try different titles.
If you don't know what you're going to use as your title, play around with multiple titles.It's unlikely you will find the one until you've been through a few that didn't work out.Try different styles and modes of presentation for your title.If you have a short list of potential winners, you can cut them down."The World's Room" and "They Who Get Shot" were the two titles that Ernest Hemingway came up with.The book's final title might have been a different version of the original if he hadn't been there.
Step 6: Don't be boring.
The rule of writing fiction is this.Since the title is what sells your story, you want to make sure that the name you give it isn't a copy of something else.The titles that don't follow formulas are the most memorable.When naming your fanfiction, try to give it a unique spin that makes readers notice.Don't use cliches.A lot of titles take a template approach.You get lost in the sea of nearly identical titles.Your title should not sound like something your reader has heard many times before.Don't turn your title into a pun.It's never as clever as you think.A pun title can be offputting if it distracts the reader from the meaning of the story.
Step 7: You can run a search for your title.
See what comes up.Someone else may have already thought of it, or it may be too similar to something else.Once you've verified that your title is original, it's a good time to check out what other results your search produces, and what people are searching for when they come across your fanfiction.
Step 8: Reread it again.
Go back over your story with this title as your new frame of reference now that you have a name for your fanfiction.Does it do a good job summing up your story?Does it make sense after reading it, or will readers not understand it?Double check your title to make sure it's compatible with the work you're doing.Rereading your fanfiction will allow you to find other titles that might better serve the story.
Step 9: Have someone else read it.
Ask a friend to look over your fanfiction and give you their thoughts, particularly on the title choice.This will give you an opportunity to have other eyes on your story and receive some initial feedback, since you wrote it to be read.Your friend should point out the strengths and weaknesses of your story.Before and after reading your fanfiction, ask the person reading it what they think of the title.It may need to be reworked if it isn't strong enough to interest them.You can find a friend that will give you honest criticism."It's good" benefits no one, so ask them to be specific.
Step 10: Stand out from the crowd.
What inspired your fanfiction should be considered before committing to your title.Make sure the title you choose is in keeping with the style of the source while also being original enough to distinguish yourself as your own original work.
Step 11: If you want your title to represent your story, let it.
Make your title sing.People tend to judge a book by its cover, and the title is the first part of your story readers will see.Once they're interested, let the story you've told draw them in.Don't let your title run away with you.It shouldn't be too complex or unusual for the sake of standing out.
Step 12: Do some research.
Do you know what makes a title eye-catching?It's a good idea to read about the methods your favorite authors use.In the final stages of writing, naming a story is a big step.While you write, dig a little deeper into your own ideas and see what might serve as the heart of the story.The titles of the authors' stories are often changed multiple times.If the first title is not a perfect fit, don't be discouraged.Wait until later on in the writing process to decide on a name for your story, unless you have a specific idea of what you want the title to be.Some events in your story may recommend themselves as titles.If your reader's attention span is short, make the most of it with dynamic, unusual or striking wording.
Step 13: Know what the critics think.
If you don't submit your fanfiction for publication or share it on the internet, people will read it and use the occasion to impress even seasoned literary critics.Ensure the quality of your story by adhering to the standards that publishers use when reviewing manuscripts; though it makes use of established fictional icons, your fanfiction should offer something fresh and exciting."50 Shades of Grey" began as a fanfiction adaptation of characters from Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series.It is one of the most popular literary and movie franchises in the world.You never know how far your fanfiction will go.