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Title Prompts


I was recently looking for a new series to binge-watch during the nasty winter storm we just had and found a few that were promising based on the description.  Then I read the title "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart".  Hmmm... intriguing.  I scrolled past, then said I couldn't pass up something with such an interesting title.  So over the next couple of days I discovered what the lost flowers were and who Alice Hart was.  It was a riveting story, and I highly recommend it if anyone is looking for something to watch.  Anyway, it got me thinking about titles and how they draw people in or turn them away.  

Let's explore the art of a good title.  

PT Prompt #321

Choose an existing title and write a short story about it. 

 

PT Prompt #322

Think of a title first, then write the story. 

 

Please include the prompt number either in your story/chapter description or title to help readers who would like to search for specific prompts. Also, please remember that stories less than one thousand words must be posted as part of a collection.

If you check the subgenre ‘prompt’ in your story tags, then people/readers can find everything here:
https://gayauthors.org/stories/browse/subgenre/prompt/

 

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Jason Rimbaud

Posted

Oh, I have a title:

Myr's Old Fashioned Typewriter

Challenge accepted. 

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Thirdly

Posted

1 hour ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

Oh, I have a title:

Myr's Old Fashioned Typewriter

Challenge accepted. 

Is that in response to the images @Myr shared not too long ago?

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Jason Rimbaud

Posted

14 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

Is that in response to the images @Myr shared not too long ago?

He thought he was so cute, using AI to create the very thing...it doesn't matter. Challenge accepted. Now I hope he won't use AI to erase me before I can get it written. 

Does he have a sense of humor? I'm asking for a friend. Nothing related to this new project I don't have time to accomplish but I shall now undertake. Nope, I won't be poking fun of the wizard of GA, that would be foolish. 

Challenge accepted. 

Well, it was nearly twenty years, I had a good run, right?  

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Krista

Posted (edited)

I have two ideas for the first prompt. The first one is a bit silly but the second one might lead me down a 300k rabbit hole, and I can't... I can't keep killing off the Main Character to hard stop me from continuing the story.

The titles are: 

Twilight - even though I don't like horror anything, I thought about attempting to write a short story with some scary elements... probably won't touch this one though. 

and, 

Where the Red Fern Grows - and going full blown romance, because that's my safe and comfy spot. :P 

Nothing to do with vampires or the depressing story of a kid who loses both his dogs that wrecked me as a child when I thought it was going to be a cute little story about a kid and his two puppers... 

It was the first time I can remember thinking that I can't trust authors, they're evil critters. 

I may dabble with the second title though, truly. :P And just hope that it isn't this massive thing that consumes me in the attempt. 

Edited by Krista
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Valkyrie

Posted

8 minutes ago, Krista said:

Where the Red Fern Grows - and going full blown romance, because that's my safe and comfy spot. :P 

Nothing to do with vampires or the depressing story of a kid who loses both his dogs that wrecked me as a child when I thought it was going to be a cute little story about a kid and his two puppers... 

 

OMG me too 

Sad Anthony Anderson GIF

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Krista

Posted (edited)

8 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

OMG me too 

Sad Anthony Anderson GIF

On My Way Reaction GIF by OceanX

 

I also think someone should write: A Separate Peace - A story about co-workers who don't usually work together in close proximity, being trapped together on a project. Chaos, could also end bloody, because one co-worker, we'll call him Steve, is a cheeky little shit that gets up to meanness. And his co-worker's name, we'll call her Krista, a mostly sweet darlin that gets fed up with him and, get creative with how the blood gets everywhere, if you wish. You don't have to, but you know. ;) 

Edited by Krista
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Valkyrie

Posted

7 minutes ago, Krista said:

On My Way Reaction GIF by OceanX

 

I also think someone should write: A Separate Peace - A story about co-workers who don't usually work together in close proximity, being trapped together on a project. Chaos, could also end bloody, because one co-worker, we'll call him Steve, is a cheeky little shit that gets up to meanness. And his co-worker's name, we'll call her Krista, a mostly sweet darlin that gets fed up with him and, get creative with how the blood gets everywhere, if you wish. You don't have to, but you know. ;) 

The Velveteen Rabbit also wrecked me.  I swear it's why I have an unhealthy attachment to stuff.  

You totally need to write that story!  

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Jeff Burton

Posted

 

1 hour ago, Krista said:

On My Way Reaction GIF by OceanX

 

I also think someone should write: A Separate Peace - A story about co-workers who don't usually work together in close proximity, being trapped together on a project. Chaos, could also end bloody, because one co-worker, we'll call him Steve, is a cheeky little shit that gets up to meanness. And his co-worker's name, we'll call her Krista, a mostly sweet darlin that gets fed up with him and, get creative with how the blood gets everywhere, if you wish. You don't have to, but you know. ;) 

I actually did have an idea on what you propose that was born out of another prompt I think it was the one about two people having a conversation with each other.

But the idea is a dude working for a defense contractor ends up being friends with a co worker and suddenly spy stuff happens.

It was a crazy idea.

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Thirdly

Posted

On 1/30/2026 at 2:20 PM, Valkyrie said:

OMG me too 

Sad Anthony Anderson GIF

What story is this? Then again, when I think childhood, all remember is the Poky little Puppy and The Berenstain Bears.

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Valkyrie

Posted

2 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

What story is this? Then again, when I think childhood, all remember is the Poky little Puppy and The Berenstain Bears.

It's more of a young adult story.  It's called Where the Red Fern Grows.  If you read it, have a box of tissues handy.  

Thirdly

Posted

1 minute ago, Valkyrie said:

It's more of a young adult story.  It's called Where the Red Fern Grows.  If you read it, have a box of tissues handy.  

That's what they said about Anne of Green Gables, and I've been avoiding it for 35 years. 

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