Barbara Writes
By Barbara Writes, 17 January, 2012
Participants
China Blue
Mark
scribbler
Barbara Writes
emogothgirl
wesley snow
tired_goat
Candlewitch
Bonitaj
Skill level
Wading Pool
Splash Pool
Date
-
S

sounds like a good shop. Count me in............stan

China Blue

I have found that people find their titles in different ways

Perhaps if a piece is written first it would would be easier to pull a title from it.

when would you like a list of titles posted? and should they be posted right here in the workshop comments?
Chrys

Barbara Writes

But, I thought this way might be a fun way of creating titles. The idea of the exercise is to make a list of titles, for example:
Birds sing to
Bee sting in my elbow

Whatever you want in your list is find, somebody may find a title they like, if they decide the title don't work their are others in the list to choose from. Most time I change titles throughout the poem and at the end find the title i think works best for my poetry theme.

wesley snow

Stan asked me and I begged off citing time, but could I be included? I promise to read the syllabus before I start doing stuff. wesley

China Blue

Silent Affirmation
Midnight Ride
Ancient Dreams
Frozen In Time
Straight From Your Pen
These are my title submissions
I will await the next step
Chrys

lou

lou

13 years 3 months ago

hope all goes well

Lou

China Blue

Have my titles and poem and the poem includes the titles
is this what you needed?
let me know when I can post it as I erred in jumping the gun lol

Barbara Writes

the workshop hasn't started yet, it's starts Jan 30 12 after meters is over. That way the two won't over lap hopefully.
If you like, I will take yours and keep it on file until when the workshop opens. That way you can post then and i will have a copy on file in case you Need me to send it to you later for posting then.

wesley snow

This could be a beneficial workshop for me. I don't much like trying to come up with titles for my poetry. The smaller forms, being essentially experiments, I tend to entitle as a composer titles music. "A Terza Rima", "An Ottava Rima", "A triolet".

The big poem took a great deal of work to title. I wanted it to be "tricky".

"Çaço, Man of the Morning Star". The name is actually a Greek prefix meaning evil. The rest indicates that The Man is a creation of the Morning Star (Lucifer or in the poem, Samweil). The piece is to be written in four separate parts each titled themselves. "Harsh", "Cold", "Cruel" and "Grim".
wesley

S

I also hope to improve my titling here. There are times when the 1st part of a poem that pops into my empty head Is the title. But most time trying for the right title is hit and miss...........PS we will start shop about 8:00 this evening with an informal discussion ( Tuesday at 8:00 eastern standard time)

wesley snow

... has been to title a poem with its first line, but somehow that always annoyed me. I would prefer the format description to first line title. My problem is that I usually try too hard and produce these really pretentious things. wesley

Barbara Writes

We will start the workshop by discussing how titles affect poetry. i think it would be great if all participants would check and give their view of how titles affect poetry.

S

Among the many things a title, is it is a bait. It's that thing which can tempt a reader into biting and reading a poem. It's many other things also but I'm just getting the ball rolling and don't want to hog this conversation so let's hear YOUR idea(s) on titles..............stan

tired_goat

a kind of overture to the rest of the poem. Ideally, it will hint to the flavours in the main course, tempting a salivating audience into reading it. It is misconstrued at only the first words, often landing the most impression on a reader, the hook that they recall to when referring to the poem - perhaps the only line they remember, and therefore perhaps the most important. A enriching title alights even a bad poem; a poor title destroys what was a promising poem. The importance of title is utmost.

S

Yes, I've even seen the title used as the defacto 1st line in a poem. But there are also instances where a title can skillfully be used to accent an intended disparity within a poem........stan

wesley snow

In poetry it is sometimes overused in an attempt to clarify what is not clear in the poetry. In this case it is a bad thing. It can also be used to head the reader in a false direction to better lower the boom when the true purpose of the poem is revealed.
wesley

Barbara Writes

Im looking forward to hearing Participants: China Blue, mark, emogothgirl discussion on this topic.

China Blue

I would like to give reference to when I taught if I may.

What I used to tell my students is
Your title is the first words a reader is going to see
that being said you must draw the person in
example: would you stop and read or would you pass up a title "LOVE"
I would pass it up as there are more titles of the same that say nothing of the poems content
The rule of thumb I used was
1-your title must be strong enough to attract the attention of a reader
2-your first and second line must hold them, whther it be a poem , short story, essay etc.

Barbara Writes

i totally agree is why I work hard at choosing my titles with your rule of thumb in mine.
I would and have pass a poem over with just "love" I try to make my titles unique with a twist that make the reader stop and think. I hope to keep them wanting more.

Titles is the most important part.
the first few line is the second.
Where As the flow connecting the title with the content keeping the title in the fore front of the readers mind
and the ending giving the reader that sense of fullness.
Finally the title stick with you even after you finishing reading.

This is what I think about when choosing titles from begin to end

I have read a poem all the way through and had to go back at reread title because I found no connection or fail to remember what the title was.

China Blue

There is a way that you can create a title that is unique but it is very difficult to do so for the ourpose of this workshop I'll keep my comments easily understandable plus I do want to take the workshop time away other participants

China Blue

ok suppose you wrote a poem about a specific person
now you want to give it a title that will attract the eye of the reader right?

well you can pull something right from the poem

but you can also
using the poem about a person as an example:

consider the qualities of that person
consider how you feel about the person
what emotion does that person stir

I did exactly this and the title of the poem was
ROGUE LUMINARY

no where in the poem did you see rogue luminary

but considering the personality
A Rogue
then what does that person stir inside your emotions

Light
hence the Luminary

point is I wanted to show there are other options to finding a title
Now I will be quite lol

Barbara Writes

i have done this with choosing titles. And it works for me too, but
The idea of the title not being found anywhere in the poem, done this way, now that is hard. Lol Got me thinking.

I'm a person who will write several poems before I stop when in a infinite loop of emotions.

participants here who want to write five poems, then form their five titles from them sounds okay to me. Those who DON't want to take the challenge, DON't have too.

After all the workshop is titled "working with titles" so participant can come up with their titles however they want, but their poem for the workshop to be critiqued will be from the list that we will be posting after the discussion.

Candlewitch

I have read all of the above entries. Just letting you know I am here. And may I add that the title of the piece in question is the icing on the cake.

always, Cat

Barbara Writes

i meditated on this title for the workshop like I do poems to find the most fitting one. Thanks for pointing it out.

wesley snow

... that the first line of any poem, story, essay must be solid enough to "jump up and down on it". It is often how I choose which book I am going to read next. If the first line doesn't slam me upside the head, I put it back.
wesley

S

The above comment on the importance of a title in the poem being recalled can't be overstated. Who would recall a poem titled : "Could Barely Decide Which Route To Take"? ...........But, :"The Road Less Traveled" whose content could also be descibed by 1st title seems to have stuck to many minds...........And part of the actual title's effectiveness is its simplicity..........stan

China Blue

just to clarify

at first you asked for a list of five titles
then a poem using one of the titles and the other fours(optional) in the body of the poem

Now am I to understand correctly that you now want

five titles

and five poems using those titles?

Barbara Writes

One only poem.
The five poems was in response to your title thought. You need five tites, do that's good way To come up with them on your own. It's not the workshop mandate to do do

S

I know it's pretty common but I personally don't like seeing the title used as the first line in the poem, Just seems overly redundant.........stan

Bonitaj

It looks like it's all been said before... but I'll add my sixpence. One of my thoughts on a title is a little "sneaky"! I think It's to prove the writer's ability to use a word that is simple enough to attract most readers, but profound enough not to have been used before. (at least, not very often). And as Shakespeare would say: "Therein lies the rub!".
Looks like a great workshop Barbara! I for one, intend to fully participate AND enjoy!! ;)
Thanks
Boni

Barbara Writes

I like th sneakiness in a title also. It entices the reader, draw them in for a treaty read, while reading the reader realizes where they thought the title was taking them in the poetry isn't what they expect. A total surprise, but still a treaty read. This is my idea of snaky. What's yours do tell lol

Barbara Writes

I'll help mark and emog come to speed once they've checked in. I hope the discussion is building ideas for titles in your heads for that award winning poem.

As a reminder, selecting the right title for your poem is important. From the discussion we learn some why titles are important. Some ways we've discussed how titles affect poetry are listed below.

1 some readers find first liner annoying, boring, too easy. If the first few lines arent attention grabber Readers tend to pass poem over for another.
2 writing a poem first then pulling title from there. Chrys shared a great idea. A more challenging, but good way to find an effective title.
3 designing title easily remembered. Scrib gave a perfect example of a title thats not easily remembered and one easily remembered.
4 sneaky,

Barbara Writes

The discussion has prepared us for the next step, posting your title. All participants can now start creating their title list and post them here. Since Chrys has posted hers already I'll start there. Have fun.

By the way, we won't be picking a title yet , just posting the list. The titles are to be posted to the comment section here NOT the working title section.

You can pick your title from the commulative list I've started below with Chrys titles.
Once all have posted their list, I will then add the commutative list to the syllabus.
Then you can scroll through or copy and paste somewhere for quick referencing for your award winning title and lines.

Titles

Chrys:
Silent Affirmation
Midnight Ride
Ancient Dreams
Frozen In Time
Straight From Your Pen

Wesley:
"The poet knows no more than you and I."
"Sé ágenspræc léþwyrhta broc canne ne beanleag æræt æfterield."
("The language poets use can't grow too old.")
"Once more into the Black Hole."
"Excuse me, I thought you could write."
"Out of the fire and into the nuclear facility dangerously cTlose to meltdown."

Bonitaj:
Full catastrophe living
Touched
Why love matters
Replete
Capricious longing

Barbara:
Where the wind blows
Changing of the winds
Rare gold
Fetal position
Wandering minds

China Blue

I see we are picking from a master list not just our own is that correct?

S

Yes, after all lists are posted it's first come first served lol.......stan

Barbara Writes

I believe choices within the realms of the guidelines are more fun. Participants can choose the same title if its from their list. Surely, the poem won't be the same. Lol

For example:
Title: Truly Insane
Theme: I fell insanely in love with you
Body and conclusion

Title: Truly Insane
Theme: ideas of changing the world occupied my thoughts
Body and conclusion

Flexibility in finding titles make it less painstaking. Titles may be the same, but the poem can have a totally different theme or meaning

Barbara Writes

All official critiques and comment on poems are to be made to the "Working With Titles " section. WE ARE NOT THERE YET, so hold off on critiques and comments until poems are posted.

All TITLES and COMMENTS on titles are to be made HERE not in the "Working With Titles" section.
.
Anyone who chooses to comment who have not join, can do so, BUT to participate in the exercises you MUST join and FOLLOW the guideline step by step.

If necessary, I will increase participants number. This is too keep the workshop progressing in an orderly fashion without confusion.

China Blue

I love that one title
excuse me I thought you could write
to bad we have to wait till all titles are in I'd nab that one great sense of tongue in cheek humor there

Bonitaj

Yes, I'm inclined to agree with Barbara. Each poet should be allowed to choice any of the countless number of titles and not be confined by - ":oh, oh! Someone has already chosen that one!" i;e. Whatever resonnates for you - JUST DO IT! ;)
Thanks
Boni

herewith my suggested titles!

1) Atlantic Sunset
2) Touched
3) Why love matters
4) Replete
5) Capricious longing

Barbara Writes

I find the title "Once more into the black hole" intriguing. I Iike this one more so of them all

wesley snow

"The poet knows no more than you and I."

"Sé ágenspræc léþwyrhta broc canne ne beanleag æræt æfterield."
("The language poets use can't grow too old.")

"Once more into the Black Hole."

"Excuse me, I thought you could write."

"Out of the fire and into the nuclear facility dangerously close to meltdown."

Barbara Writes

We are now at the fun part. Lol. So far we have 20 titles, those who have not post there titles can do so now, pick the title, write the poem, then click the "Working With Title " in the drop down box when submitting the poem.

For those that have posted titles you can start the next step, choose your title and start writing your poem, then post to "Working With Titles"

Barbara Writes

I have posted the master list at the bottom of the syllabus. To me it is easier to find and view list. In comparison to looking through all the comment to see what title others came up with.

S

Don't forget to state which workshop poem is for next to title (title workshop) to avoid confusion..........stan

S

A few more titles :
THE DAY THE POETS DIED
WHEN THE INK STOPS FLOWING
WHO SHALL SPEAK THE TRUTH
DON"T LOOK AT THE SUN
THE SOUND OF PAGES TURNING

R

raj

13 years 2 months ago

i was hoping to read some poems in the workshop but it looks like the workshop is yet to get started...wishing all participants a good time

Barbara Writes

Here is the master list so far. You can look over the Title List and see what we have come up with so far. We are beginning to write poems now. Some poems should be coming soon

Chrys:
Silent Affirmation
Midnight Ride
Ancient Dreams
Frozen In Time
Straight From Your Pen

Wesley:
"The poet knows no more than you and I."
"Sé ágenspræc léþwyrhta broc canne ne beanleag æræt æfterield."
("The language poets use can't grow too old.")
"Once more into the Black Hole."
"Excuse me, I thought you could write."
"Out of the fire and into the nuclear facility dangerously cTlose to meltdown."

Bonitaj:
Full catastrophe living
Touched
Why love matters
Replete
Capricious longing

Scribbler:
THE DAY THE POETS DIED
WHEN THE INK STOPS FLOWING
WHO SHALL SPEAK THE TRUTH
DON"T LOOK AT THE SUN
THE SOUND OF PAGES TURNING

Barbara:
Where the wind blows
Changing of the winds
Rare gold
Fetal position
Wandering minds

Barbara Writes

I like your view, that titles are gems. Giving special effort to find a title that will make the reader want to read more orb poem is very important. Sometimes I have scroll to poems just to see what happening and have had titles that catch my eye and held me until I click read more. Lol

Bonitaj

Just stopped by to say - liked the look of your titles! Now to get working on one of them! ;)
Thanks
Ps. Just one more thing .... I will b changing the tense of one of the titles... Hope that's ok!

China Blue

are we selecting a title from all offered or just our own?

China Blue

Just say when and I am ready to post my poem
I can wait though until you give the green light

tired_goat

I wish I was more like James Dean
Push-Ups
Deer Shooting
Sometimes I Forget Their Names and Get Them All Confused
Reflection (8 Months Late)

S

Here you go posting PUSH-UPS when I'm almost done with writing on another title. Push-ups could well be something other than exercises lol.............stan

Barbara Writes

I notice Chrys is the only one posted her poem. We all lead busy lives, So I know when you have that moment your poems will fill the papers. I Anxiously awaits you.

Barbara Writes

I love the way you use all five of your titles in your poem. It really made the Title and theme stand out beautifully. Each title was perfectly inserted into the poem making it my favorite of yours.

Barbara Writes

The workshop is doing better than I could ever imagine. I'm really have fun here. Hope everyone is feeling the same and getting something new to take away that will make future title finding a joyful and not dreaded painstaking task lol. The purpose of the workshop is to make finding a title flexible.

Boni and Mark demonstrated well in their poems how the same title can be used and have a totally different theme.

Scrib and Wes showed how well the same title, by simply changing wording, can make title flexibility an ease.
With just a little imagination picking titles can be fun not a daunting.

Barbara Writes

I wanna thank all participants for joining and doing such a great job. I also wanna thank everyone for being so kind and gracious sharing time and talent helping me make this workshop a success. Without each's help it couldn't been so.

In sumerization, the objective of "Working With Titles" workshop, was for practice in finding proper titles for your poems. Find titles that draw people to read your poems, make coming up with titles easier, less painstaking, and stretch flexibility in choosing titles.

Firstly, we discuss importance of titles. Secondly, each made a list of five titles. Thirdly, from master list of everyones titles, we chose title liked the most, then wrote poems that resonated title more effectively throughout their poem.
Hopefully, all gain valuable knowledge from workshop that will aid them and others in their poetry writing successes.

End result, we did well. Now give each generous pat on the back:)

weirdelf

This was a totally successful workshop.

Where did the word 'raping' come from?

S

A most enjoyable and informative experience..........stan

Description: Working With Titles

In this exercise, each participant is to write a list 5 titles for a poem and post them here. After you've written your list of titles, pick the one you want as a title for your poem, then choose 4 of other people's suggestions to incorporate in your poem.

All poems should be posted to the "Working With Titles" workshop.

This is a fun way to sharpen your skill with titles. It will also get those creative juices flowing with flexibility in your content.
Director: Jess Tapper
Leader: Barbara Writes
Moderator(s): Scribbler, Bonitaj, Candlewitch,

Objectives: The objective is to practice finding the proper title for your poem. A title that will draw people to read your poem. This exercise is designed to make coming up with titles easier, less painstaking and stretch your flexibility.

Level of expertise: Open to all

Subject matter: Creating titles from a list of ideas. Using all or some of the titles in your list for lines and verses in your poem.

We will start with a discussion on the importance of titles

Master Title List

Chrys:
Silent Affirmation
Midnight Ride
Ancient DreamsV
Frozen In Time
Straight From Your Pen

Wesley:
"The poet knows no more than you and I."
"Sé ágenspræc léþwyrhta broc canne ne beanleag æræt æfterield."
("The language poets use can't grow too old.")
"Once more into the Black Hole."H
"Excuse me, I thought you could write."
"Out of the fire and into the nuclear facility dangerously cTlose to meltdown."

Bonitaj:
Full catastrophe living
Touched
Why love matters
Replete
Capricious longing

Scribbler:
The Day The Poets Died
When The Ink Stops Flowing
Who Shall Speak The Truth
Don’t Look At The Sun
The Sound Of Pages Turning

Mark:
Ore Locked
In the Wake
When I fall
Water Circus
Clams Served

Tired_goat
I wish I was more like James Dean
Push-Ups
Deer Shooting
Sometimes I Forget Their Names and Get Them All Confused
Reflection (8 Months Late)

Barbara:
Where the wind blows
Changing of the winds
Rare gold
Fetal position
Wandering minds