Faithful Nest

First of all, the internet does not have all the answers. The secret surrounds naming a piece written in response to a fairy tale. After trying several key word searches, I’ve pretty much given up. Yes, there is an answer out there. But I was exhausted by the time I found it.

In fact, I gave up, titled my piece with words acknowledging the fairy tale which it is involved. Some folks might have used the ‘after’ trick. As noted here by Emma Lee {link.} So, sneak peak, I have a couple of poems in submission rounds written in response to fairy tales.

Titles on your work can be very important. Due consideration involves content, preview, suggestion, or even distraction. Does your piece need a reference? Sometimes you can help your reader just by indicating the content in the title. This is a conflict in my mind. I want a reader to have to read the piece and think about it. Let’s not give it all away in the title already! Yet, hopefully they are committed to reading my work and need a little orientation. It’s sort of like pointing out a bird instead of just hoping the person with you can find it by its song.

Is your poem in a book or series? Your title may indicate a new topic or change in the direction of content. Often a word or phrase from the poem itself is a perfect title. There are many people who think of that as trite. Their intention is that every word is important and the title is the crown of the piece. Oh, yes, I agree. Words are so very important.

When responding directly to another poem, the title can show that. Responding to Frost or Continuing on a Snowy Evening may show that you are responding to this classic piece:

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
BY ROBERT FROST

With so many fairy tales and variations around the world, I could spend the rest of my writing career on them. But I won’t. It is a great prompt! Especially for someone like me who colors way outside the lines. The rest of the world keeps tight knit organizations and focus. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to keep my mind in the middle of the road. Not to worry, I don’t drive like that. My car is in the right place, just not my mind.