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A few weeks ago Eliabeth and I were brutally working through chapter titles. I have always loved chapter titles in books because I feel like it gives a little something to the story as a whole if done right. But, oh my, was it a painful process!
Thankfully, we not only survived the naming process but the friendship is still in tact. š Blind Sight was recently updated to include the chapter titles. That extra mile was ran for our readers. I’m very glad we made the decision but I’m dreading having to do it for book 2. Choosing a good chapter title is hard work!
What do you guys think of chapter titles for novels? A hit or a miss?
– Ermisenda Alvarez
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I had them….for a draft, then I took them out. To be honest, I go back and forth with thinking they are needed. This is great question and I can’t wait to see everyone’s thoughts.
Yeah, I thought it would be a good question to ask. Thanks for sharing, Christina!
For me, it depends on the genre. I haven’t put them in any of mine nor do I think they’re needed. I think it’s a personal choice š
Yeah, it seems to be a personal choice, Melanie. Thanks for commenting!
I think it’s very hard to come up with chapter titles without them sounding corny or trite. I haven’t actually tried to use them in my work yet, although I might make the attempt with a piece that’s supposed to be humorous.
I’m sure your chapter titles are awesome. š
I hope so! I agree that chapter titles are hard to get right because they can often feel forced. This was why I posed the question! š
It’s funny you both mention that. Mine were one words which were the essence of each chapter and they took me forever to come up with. Weird how one word can take hours when for the most part you can write thousands in that same hour. I took mine out because they felt corny and forced.
In ‘The Everywhen Angels’ which is essentially the same story told by three separate narrators (in each account more is revealed), each narrator has a different ‘register’ and ‘voice’. As a result I used chapter numbers for one narrator, long chapter titles for another, short chapter titles for another…
Ooo, that’s very clever! I love clever use of titles like that. Thanks for sharing, Marie!
You’re welcome. I’ll have to hope the darn thing makes it out of the slushpile and you’ll be able to see for yourself. š
I like them, but, I haven’t done them myself….not too sure why either to be honest š
Xx
They are a fair bit of work and aren’t a necessity. That was why we hadn’t done it until now. š
Had them in the first draft of Imminent Danger, but then one of my readers pointed out that the titles gave away what was happening in that chapter! So they had to go. Then I had “Chaper One”, “Chapter Two”, etc. But that didn’t seem quite right, so now I’ve cut it all the way back down to 1, 2, 3, etc.
Yeah, we also used to have ‘Chapter One’, etc. Now we have both the number and the chapter title. Making sure you didn’t give too much away is tricky! Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Michelle!
I think they’re nice. But I know it’s a lot of work. I’m still trying to come up with a good title for my novel. To think of a title for each chapter. Scary!!
As I mentioned, it’s tough but we felt it was worthwhile. š I find I either know the title of the story before I know the plot of the story…or I find the right title long after I’ve finished the story. Titles are important but darn tricky! Thanks for sharing. š
I use write poems when I was younger and they were all Untitled. It is hare. Will you fix the above there to they’re. š
Done. š
I like both – chapters with or without titles. It’s all right for me. Usually when I write though I don’t title my chapters, although I used to when I was 12… I guess it’s not that easy, but it’s fun anyway š
It’s definitely rewarding! I find chapter titles fascinating because it really depends on the person whether they include it or not, or like them or not. š Thanks for commenting this week, M. D.!
I titled the chapters in Webster’s Kiss and I don’t really know why. It just felt like me and like a natural part of my story. As an author, it helps you look at a chapter and know what’s in it I guess, as opposed to the Winnie the Pooh “In which Eeyore has a birthday…” kind of thing. If you’re posting your stories on a blog one chapter at a time, then it doesn’t really work to not have titles for them. As a reader, I’ve enjoyed chapter titles in some books and not so much in others. I think it has a lot to do with how much I’m enjoying the book.
Thanks for sharing! I think it depends on each book. That’s very true about the blog thing though…it would be strange to read just a number. A great point!