I have decided in changing the title of my story "A Boy and his Dog" due to the fact that there already is a book and movie with this title and with similar elements in the story that I had not known about until some people brought it to my attention. I don't want people to get the wrong impression about my story or go into it expecting something based on false assumptions, or god forbid, not read my story because of prior bad experiences with the title. :P
The only problem is I am having a hard time thinking up a new title for my story. (which is mostly the reason it got such as simple title as 'a boy and his dog' in the first place) So I was wondering if any of y'all that have read my little story had any ideas? Two of the major elements in this tale are Harvard the dog, and the power of names or words.
Comments
Don't worry, be happy
I like the title and I don't believe your error was intentional. There are a couple of people around that spend their time looking at the errors that others make, rather than their own. I am sorry that they are so unhappy.
It's a great little tale, and thanks for writing it.
Gwendolyn
Oh, no one has really pointed
Oh, no one has really pointed it out as an error or been any anyway nasty about it. I have just had people ask if there was a connection. And you know if there are people posting comments asking this then there are plenty of people that wonder about it that never say anything.
Besides I'm not sure I like someone else using my title. (*grumble* stupid effects of liner time where they got to it first *grumble*) :P
I agree with Gwen
I think that your title is perfect and it's a good story. You should write your story the way you want and call it what you want. The opinions of others should be taken as just that. By all means read what we have to say and take away what you think has any value, but don't let any of us tell you what is right or wrong because then we aren't reading what you want to say, but what someone else thinks you should say. The same thing goes for even the title of your story.
This is a good place to write your story and we want to hear what you have to say.
Several ideas, not sure if any are good though...
As your hero is becoming a heroine and may well end up that way for life how about in the form of a question.
A Boy and His Dog?
Or to ape Mr. Peabody and Simon.
A Dog and His Boy?
Or more generic.
A Child and their Dog.
Or if you like naughty titles.
A Dog and it's Bitch.
or a two part title
I Though Having Magic Would be Bitching ... Girl did That Ever Come True!
Okay, need to seriously wash my mouth out with soap for those.
Have fun.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
title idea
Elemental girl and her dog.
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
It is a long road ahead but I will finally become who I should be.
Not a bad one at all, Jenna
Worth our writer's consideraton.
John in sunny Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Boy and his Dog title change?
Try A witch and her familiar.
May Your Light Forever Shine
An Adolescent Human and his Devoted Canid Companion?
" a rose by any other name would smell as sweet..."
It was a good idea for a story, a well-written realization of the idea, and a cute, evocative title. Same reason it was used a few decades ago.
Maybe it could be refined, though:
A Boy and his Chihuahua?
A Boy and his Mastiff and All the People Afraid of its Drool?
A Boy and his Adventures With Mutation, Transformation and Magic. And oh, yes: his Dog.
I wouldda read it by any title, after the first few paragraphs.
Michelle
Two points...
First - unless your story is actually a take off from Mr. Ellison's (or the movie), that's not a problem. Titles have been re-used before.
Second - You can add a "caveat" that any resemblance between your story and the one by Mr. Ellison are purely coincidental - you only haven discovered his story AFTER starting to write this one, and have intentionally NOT read his to insure you don't accidentally copy.
I used Mr. Orwell's "Animal Farm" in a story myself, and acknowledged the fact (With apologies to Mr. Orwell...) It had no REAL TG elements (okay, there was sorta one) so I removed it completely (along with two other stories - that I left stubbs here - that were also not really TG).
So, don't sweat, unless you actually had recently read Mr. Ellison's book, and realize now that you had unconsciously copied some elements. Then, I'd revise the elements (change the university or the breed of animal, or...).
Good luck,
Annette