Insert Cool Title Here

This is something I've been thinking about recently, as I try to get back into reading real books rather than watching TV or goofing off on the internet. Do you know what makes me pick a book up off the shelf? Yes, the cover art is part of it. But mostly, it's the title. That's the most important element of the story, if you're writing for an audience (and frankly, everyone is writing for an audience, even if you don't know it yet). If the title isn't interesting or catchy enough to make you curious, then no matter how hard you worked on the story, it was basically a waste because no one will read it. I mean, just titling these blog posts is hard work!

Isn't that sad? I think that's every writer's worst nightmare (it's certainly mine). But the most difficult thing for me when I write is summing up that story, that work that I've poured my heart and soul into, in a word or a short phrase—a title. Have you ever tried to summarize a 200-page novel with one word other than "great" or "awesome" or some variation thereof? It's incredibly hard! I always feel like my title is inadequate, that it doesn't communicate the awesomeness that is my baby (aka the story).

So what I always try to do when titling my stories (usually after they're mostly done) is think of the main idea of the story. The main conflict, the name of the main character (though that feels like cheating), or a prominent theme across it all. It's hard, too, because I like to have titles at the beginning so it looks good on my desktop. But that's a problem because I really haven't figured out where the story is going, so it typically ends up being something lame like "Jayden's Story" (yes, that was the legitimate name of one of my stories for a while) and then it sticks because I'm too lazy to change it or I just can't see the story with any other title. So when it's finished I have my work cut out for me to figure out a decent title that will catch a reader's attention and make them want to at least read the summary. And the best titles always make a reader ask questions.

Here are a few titles that I feel like I did well with. I put extra thought into what I wanted to communicate with the title. Plus, with FanFiction (which is what these two stories are), I have quite the extensive audience, so I had to come up with something to catch people's attention. I like to think I succeeded, since the first one has over 60,000 views after only six months!

Taking Control is a Harry Potter FanFiction (I know, I'm a geek) where Harry leaves the Dursleys after the fiasco at the Ministry of Magic at the end of fifth year and literally takes control of his own life.
(Check it out here!)

A Mishap and an Opportunity is a sort-of sequel to Taking Control. Through a mishap at the Ministry, Harry is transported 20 years back in time and gets the opportunity to meet and befriend his parents and the rest of the Marauders.
(Check it out here!)

Here are some of my titles that aren't so great. Mostly it was just a placeholder that sounded better than "So-and-So's Story" (and I have a few with names like that, too). Just FYI, though, don't get too excited by the number. All of them, while perhaps finished, are incredibly unpolished and one is going through a severe rewrite because I wrote it when I was fourteen. None of them are anywhere near ready for publishing.

Making it Home is a title I'm still iffy about. It's the story of a 17-year-old boy whose father dies in a tragic car accident where he is injured as well. Because his mother can't handle staying in the same place after her husband's death, she moves him and his twin sister several hundred miles away, and the boy is left dangling, trying to figure out who he is and how to turn his new life in the middle of a Nevada desert into a proper home.

Called is a somewhat Medieval story about a young prince whose father, the King, dies in battle, and as the eldest (and only) son and heir, the burden of the kingdom is thrust upon him while he still struggles to come to terms with his father's death. I thought the title was appropriate, but its connotation doesn't really communicate what I wish it did, nor does it really capture the essence of the story.

Do you see the dilemma I'm faced with? Please help me!

Do You Want Some Stuffing with that Scene?

Do you want to know what the most frustrating part of the writing process is? Filling in the gaps! I have tons of great ideas for scenes that I can't wait to write—but I have to fill in the space between those scenes, and keep it interesting enough that whoever's reading will keep reading.

"Fillers" are generally time skips in the process, anywhere from a few hours to a few decades. They're necessary, but they are so dull to write. I can't count the number of times I've finished a really good scene or segment that I really like and have plans for the next big event, but there's space I have to fill in first. The hardest part is making that "filling" significant to the plot itself. If it's not important, it doesn't belong in the first place, because it really is just stuffing. I mean the stuff in pillows and quilts, not in your Thanksgiving turkey. Several times I've reached a point that needed "filling" and stopped writing, to pick up again months later and, in the case of one story I wrote, more than a year later!

It really is the details that are the most important, but when you're like me and just want to skip the frosting and get right to the cake, it's hard. Especially when I have so many fun and exciting scenes bouncing around in my head! But the best piece of advice I have, for myself and any other writer out there, is to persevere! Keep writing even when it sounds like crap. If you can't come up with anything in your current project, switch to a different one or start a new one. But don't forget to come back! There have been a number of times when I've come back to a story after a break, sit down in front of the keyboard, and literally just start typing, and then magic happened. The hard part was letting it happen.

Something else I like to do is write down the main ideas for those other fun scenes, if not write out the whole thing, while I'm trying to fill in some space, and then copy and paste later on. It gets those ideas out of my head and onto paper, leaving my mind free to come up with some clever detail that by the end of the story will suddenly become an important link in the plot! I've also been known to tinker with different points of view, especially when I'm having trouble with a character. It's amazing how much you learn about a character by spending some time in their shoes. Then, when you switch back to the main character and the main point of view, it's suddenly easier to write those interactions.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is, don't ever give up. As a writer, you have a whole world at your fingertips that's just dying to be born. Let it. Even when you can't see where the story's going, your fingers do. Let them work, and you'll be surprised with what you end up with. It will be a hundred times better than what you originally planned.

Stormy Poetry

I love thunderstorms. If it were practical, I would sit outside in the middle of one. I just love the sound and the smell of the rain, especially just as it starts to fall, and the low rumble of thunder. Lightning flashes constantly leave me in awe at the power of nature. This poem was born from sitting beside an open window as the first thunderstorm of the season approached. I listened to the sound of the raindrops hitting the pavement or splashing into puddles and tried to capture my love for thunderstorms in words. Enjoy! Comments are always welcome.

April Storm

The sharp scent of dampened dust

Preludes, from all else distinct.

The first sight glistens just

Like silvered dimes on concrete.

Then is heard a splashing gust,

Friendly patter, cold and sweet.

Then comes the crack!

Thunder grates a mighty roar

As lightning splits the sky.

Locked windows rain detains,

Storm seems to never end.

No one outside.

Flickering bright.

Huddled inside.

There will be no rest tonight.

What Am I Doing Here?

Hello everyone! Welcome to my new blog, A Writer's Cache. If you've never heard the word "cache" before, I'll spare you a headache and explain. A cache is a place to hide your treasure. I'm hoping that's what you'll find here, because I'll be "hiding" something very important to me.

Writing is my passion. Everything you'll read here is my words, direct from my head to my fingertips.  Most of what you'll find on here is commentary and writing advice, with short, original examples relating to the topic discussed. It will either be poetry or short fiction. But you'll also find commentaries on the struggles or triumphs of being a writer, including constructive ranting about my personal struggles as I strive toward my goal of becoming a published author. You'll also find some stand-alone pieces that I just wanted to share.

My goal in starting this blog is to get my work out there and to get some feedback, in addition to sharing what works for me in the hope that I can help someone else. Tell me what you like and dislike about anything you find on this blog. I'm hoping my writing here will catch someone's attention and I will have the privilege of helping others learn to love reading and writing as much as I do (and maybe learn something from you all along the way).

I  want to make this interesting for you. I want to get to know my audience. If you have something to say, say it! Comments on my writing style, a request for a certain type of advice, an example of a specific writing principle, whatever. This blog is yours as much as it is mine!

Thank you all for beginning this new journey with me. I'm excited for it, and I hope you are, too!

PS: Check out my other blog, Journey of a Missionary!