Hi writers:
I’m out of town this week, on a
quiet tour-de-California with my family. Part of my job this week, in addition
to enjoying my people and relaxing, is to find a new title for a project that
is nearing completion. I love the
titling process. I always begin a project with a “working title,” which usually
gives way to the “actual title” once it becomes clearer what lies at the
project’s heart.
Have a wonderful week, and more in
December –
e
PROCESS: FINDING THE
TITLE
Notice I say
finding, not choosing – this is deliberate, for I believe that the title of a
work of art is often INSIDE the work already, a heartbreakingly beautiful
phrase or a symbolic word that simply needs to be lifted out and set at the top
of the document.
Try this: Reread
a finished piece with a pen and mark phrases that pop. On a separate page, play
with these phrases, tinkering and trying out different ones as a possible
title. Also useful can be to ask friends to read for the “pop-phrases.”
FEATURED VENUE: ONE
STORY
One Story believes that stories are best read
alone, and so every three weeks they publish a pocket-sized issue containing a
single short story by a single author. It is an elegant, simple concept, and
their stories never disappoint. They are looking for stories between 3000-8000
words. (In addition to being a terrific venue for sending new work, a One Story subscription is a great
holiday gift for a reader.)
Submission guidelines here: http://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=guidelines
PROMPT
What do you have the keys to? (6min)
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