Do you name your chapters?

[scully931]

I am getting ready to send in a full and am 'iffy' about naming my chapters. What is the general opinion about naming versus putting a chapter number?

Thanks!

[Mr. Funktastic]

I think it's just personal preference. I don't use chapter names myself, but I don't really mind when other authors do. As long as they're relevant and interesting chapters, I wouldn't see a problem.

[Kristin Landon]

As long as the name doesn't start with "In Which."

[MightyScribbler]

I like numbers myself. I think children's books, young adult and fantasy tend to lean towards chapter names.

[jodiodi]

I just go the number route.

[Jenan Mac]

I use numbers. If an author's really clever at naming them, though, I prefer it.

[ccarver30]

What chapters? :tongue

I haven't even numbered mine...!

[Devil Ledbetter]

Mine are numbered, but I've been flirting with the idea of naming them for a while now. If I do, I'll wait until draft two is finished, then come up with something clever and thematic.

Then I'll probably chuck them and go back to numbers.

As long as the name doesn't start with "In Which."LOL.

[blacbird]

Yes, at least for my currently finished or in-progress unpublishable stuff, though not by conscious plan. And depending on the nature of any further unpublishable stuff I write, I might well use just numbers.

caw

[stormie]

I don't even number or form chapters until the second draft is completed. Then I see where a good chapter break could/should be. Then I number them. I don't bother with naming them.

[Rob B]

I did an interior story of a main work and named the chapters to further the differentiation. Some liked it while others didn't because they felt the technique gave up part of what they were about to read, which was certainly a justifiable contention.

I've thought about this a great deal, and I think it relates as much to genre and voice as anything else. You might want to consider:

A children's story could be ideally suited for a chapter title (voice cetainly would allow it), where a thriller, such as I write, might not. As I say, I've only done this once and the verdict is still out on whether I'm going to ultimately retain the chapter titles in the interior element. For me, it's a very interesting subject.

[WildScribe]

Mine are just numbered.

[herdon]

I name them Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three... ;)

The first book I wrote I fully intended on using chapter titles but I didn't want to bog myself down with thinking up titles before I began writing so I shelved it for later. Once later actually came I decided I really didn't need chapter titles and, since then, haven't bothered with it.

[NicoleMD]

As long as the name doesn't start with "In Which."

Awww...I like "In whiches" :Shrug:

[ClaudiaGray]

I have named chapters in the past, but I tend to simply stick to numbers. However, if I ended up feeling like I wanted to name chapters again in the future -- and there's no real reason except that names occurred to me, so they might again -- I'd go back to it. I think it's fine.

And speaking of "in which" -- E.M. Forster worked them like a master, so even that can be done!

[Azure Skye]

Yes and No. As of right now, they're named but only for my sanity. I use the names to remind what the chapter is about in case I need to fix something in chapter 3 that is relevant in chapter 10. As soon, and if, someone asks for a full, I'll remove them.

[Vomaxx]

I use chapter titles.

[Diviner]

I name and number chapters for quick reference. When I submit, they will be numbered only.

[III]

I always name 'em, probably out of self-indulgence.

[Zoombie]

I usually have short chapter names, such as:


Earth
Ocean
Captured
Escape
Fun with Gravity
The End
Or is it?

Real chapter names. In the same book too. Fun with Gravity is a my favored chapter.

[aadams73]

I just number them.

[Chumplet]

I generally number them, but after looking back, I see that one might be 12 pages, the next 6 pages, and the next 3 pages. So, rather than going through the whole thing after balancing the chapters (yes, I know it's not necessary) I figure I should just name them all xx until I decide where my breaks should be.

In a current WIP I've put aside, I'm considering naming the chapters.

[JBI]

I put the time and date and an In Which. Picked that up off of Umberto Eco, and I must say, I like it.

[Kristin Landon]

Actually, it's true, "In Whiches" can be fun.

I settle for numbers, though if it's essential to making the story understandable, I put in a note right below the number ("Two months later"). (That was because the viewpoint character in that chapter was not tracking well; there was no way I could have her reflect that two months had passed, because she didn't know. But I needed the reader to know.)

[Toothpaste]

Let's not diss the "in which".

Simply because I use them and to be honest, now I am feeling a bit concerned.

[Jamesaritchie]

I simply number mine. I don;t mind chapter titles, unless the title gives away what happens in the chapter, and then I hate them.

[Kristin Landon]

When I mentioned "In Which" I was thinking of nineteenth-century fiction, where the "In Which" would be quite elaborate and often followed by a little mini-synopsis of the chapter ("A View of the Sandwich Islands—Summoned to a Feast—What Transpired There—A Startling Revelation—The Gathering Storm—Etc.—Etc.—Etc.") And even that would be fine today, used with a little humor and irony.

I don't use chapter titles because thinking of book titles is extremely hard for me. Why ask for trouble? :tongue

[Andre_Laurent]

I number them.

[infinitus_kaze]

I like to give them names that provide a small hint as to what will come in the chapter without actually giving away too much of the chapter. I also number them, so my chapters end up reading, "Chapter One: XXXXXX, Chapter Two: YYYYYY, Chapter Three: ZZZZZZ."

Some of my chapter titles are things like "Four Goddesses", "Lied", "Bel Canto", "Fateful Flight", and "The Kraken" (titles taken from my two newest books still in production).

However, in some of the future books that I have already begun planning like my assassin novel or my vampire series I expect I will only use chapter #'s because I don't want to give something away with chapter titles.

[Paul S Cilwa]

I like to divide my books into "parts" (anywhere from three to 12), which I guess would equate to "acts", and chapters that are really more like "scenes". I name both. The parts have to have names that relate to each other (my current novel's parts are Dystopia, Utopia, Syntopia) and the chapters are quite short, just two or three book pages, and both numbered and named. I like to envision a reader reaching the end of a chapter--which almost always end in some kind of cliff-hanger, physical or emotional--and looking ahead to see how big the next chapter is, to see if they have time to take it on then or not. If it's short enough, they'll probably keep reading, hopefully giving me the reputation of having written a "page-turner".

I usually name the chapters from some interesting phrase that's actually used near the end of it (which also gets the reader trained to "look for it" without realizing it, which keeps them reading).

Here's sample chapter titles from When Falls The Sky:

1. Near-Death Experience
2. An Unfortunate Experience
3. Body Armor
4. A Chip On His Shoulder
5. Watched Over
6. Irreplaceable
7. Difficult to Access
8. A Life in Danger
9. Forbidden Site
10. Council of Twelve
11. There Is A Way
12. Helicopter
13. A Kiss Through The Ice

[Dave.C.Robinson]

Numbers.

I'm not good at titling the book-- I'm not going to title the chapters too.

[scully931]

Well, from all your responses I see that either works. That's what I thought, but sometimes I assume something and later everyone screams "are you crazy?!" :tongue

As for 'in which', I thought you were making a "Friends" joke. Like - "The one where Joey dances." I'm slow. :hi:

[Kristin Landon]

Well, really it's about the same idea. :D

[Nakhlasmoke]

Some of my books have named chapters, some have numbered. It depends on how I feel, really.

I find if chapters are named it's easier for me to remember where I am in a book I'm reading.

[plunderpuss]

If naming chapters matches the style of the prose, sure.

Let's not diss the "in which".

Simply because I use them and to be honest, now I am feeling a bit concerned.

Don't be concerned, Toothpaste. (I just had a gigglefit seriously addressing another person as Toothpaste. Oh, Internets, how I love thee.) As long as your in whiches are appropriate for the material.

[seun]

I got with instinct. I named the chapters in a couple of my books and left it at numbers in the last one.
Whichever feels right and suits that book is how it works for me.

[BruceJ]

I name my chapters. It's historical fiction and the titles identify the year (or maybe the day) and the location of the action. The chronological aspect is important to the story flow (at least to me, I guess) and the location just further defines the action and orients the reader.

[Prawn]

I use chapter titles. I start with the name of the main POV character of that chapter as the title, and then usually change it to something else, usually a theme I want to emphasize in the chapter. I know having chapter titles helps me as a writer, but only about half of my beta readers even noticed them.

[LeeFlower]

Well, I really, really suck at coming up with titles-- book titles are more of a nightmare to me than queries-- so I just number 'em.

[Toothpaste]

Okay, I feel better then. See I just did them cause I was inspired by Winnie the Pooh, I thought they were nice. And also I such at chapter titles, so I thought this could maybe make up for the lack of them. (also there isn't much to be done about them now, as I stare at my proofs lying on the rug before me . . .)

[Rob B]

I also want to thank everyone for responding to Scully931's thread. This is of particular interest because of a current work and I'm glad to see there is such a wide range of opinion. Unless I'm forced otherwise by a nasty agent or evil editor, I'm gonna leave the chapter titles in. Again, thanks to all.

[OverTheHills&FarAway]

My Current WIP, In Which I've Always Wanted a Mini Synopsis in the Title

Naming the chapter (usually half-way or all the way through) is one of the best parts!

My favorites, from my current WIP:

Gastropodal Secretions
Comic Book Stealing Thieves Get Only One Roll
Exit, Chased by a Bear
Descending Chord Progression in A Major, or Green Day Does Not Exist
The Same Thing We Do Every Night, Pinky

In case you can't tell, it's a YA with light leanings toward pop cultural references, and the odd Shakespearian stage direction.

[Sean D. Schaffer]

I am getting ready to send in a full and am 'iffy' about naming my chapters. What is the general opinion about naming versus putting a chapter number?

Thanks!


When I was a teenager I tried to name the chapters in my manuscripts. It never really went anywhere for me because I never could really come up with a catchy name for each chapter.

So when I write a work, I just use numbers. It's easier for me that way.

I hope this helps. Congratulations on the Full Request.

:)

[Anthony Ravenscroft]

Perhaps there'll be appropriate opportunity, but for the most part I don't even number 'em, except in a reference sorta way, but it's a kinda easy bet that the first chapter is One, the twelfth is Twelve, & like that.

I'd have to rifle through my collection, but I'm fair certain there was a novel where the first chapter is "2" because the book alternates between the present (or "2") & the past (or "1"), which I remember thinking ingenious.

[Elodie-Caroline]

I use chapter names for when I'm writing and editing my work, it helps me to know which bits are where. But when I eventually submit my work, the chapter names go and I only use chapter numbers.

Elodie

[Michael Dracon]

I already have difficulty deciding what the title of my novel should be.

I've actually tried it for the first few chapters. But when I found out my chapters were an equivalent of about 10 pages I stopped naming them. I'm not going to try and think of several dozen titles.

That, and with at least two of the titles I had come up with I noticed that they spoiled the chapter by telling the reader what will happen.

[Inky]

If I named my chapters, then I'd be forced to place my characters in a cage, the chapter being forced to stay on topic of titled chapter. (I think I just spoke in one complete circle...somebody hit me)

I can't even begin to tell you the nightmarish revenge my characters would plot--and one does dare piss off a Shadow Master, nevermind he's the son of Hades...get my point? No?
My characters are so alive, so rich in their own voice that they literally take over--why, yes, I do hear voices--to 'hen them in' would do them an injustice. Now, on a side note: those that name their chapters, and have a brief little saying at each beginning have my total collapse-to-knees respect. THAT takes talent...but ONLY if it pertains to said chapter. Nothing more irritating then some artsy fartsy saying...and it has nothing to do with what's coming. Kinda like being stalked by the Easter Bunny--completely ridiculous!

[Inky]

I already have difficulty deciding what the title of my novel should be.

I've actually tried it for the first few chapters. But when I found out my chapters were an equivalent of about 10 pages I stopped naming them. I'm not going to try and think of several dozen titles.

That, and with at least two of the titles I had come up with I noticed that they spoiled the chapter by telling the reader what will happen.

EXACTLY!!! If you name your chapters, have it be cliffhangerish (yes, it's a word--as of RIGHT NOW)...don't have it be a revelation of what's to come...it's like a naked man coming through your window..you pretty much can guess what comes next...

[Devil Ledbetter]

If I were to name my chapters, I would wait until they were written and revised.

[Elodie-Caroline]

I always come up with names for the chapters after they're finished. Like I said earlier, they're markers for me, once the novel is finished, the chapter names go.


I already have difficulty deciding what the title of my novel should be.

I've actually tried it for the first few chapters. But when I found out my chapters were an equivalent of about 10 pages I stopped naming them. I'm not going to try and think of several dozen titles.

[Sean D. Schaffer]

If I were to name my chapters, I would wait until they were written and revised.


That was part of my problem, actually. I would try to name my chapters before I wrote them out the first time. Didn't seem to work for some strange reason...

:rolleyes:

[Steve W]

Hi,

I think it depends on the book. I've never named chapters before, but for my current project, I am. I don't like to give anything away, unless it's cryptically, but I find it fun to come up with names.

I've sought advice from an editor who said it's a fashion thing - at the moment, chapter titles aren't 'the new black', but who's to say they won't be this time next year?

Cheers,
Steve

[Monkey]

When I pick up a book, sometimes I read through the table of contents, just scanning the chapter names. This can give a general feel for the work and even, to some degree, the author's style. Because of this, I do name my chapters. I have a lot of fun with it; were someone to read through my chapter titles, they may get an idea for the major themes of the book, but they certainly won't know the story! I like to give slightly misleading chapter titles on occasion...for instance, in my YA novel, I labeled the second to last chapter "The Last Day". The last day of what? Reading the chapter titles, people may think that the protagonist died, or that the friends involved end up splitting apart. I love naming chapters like that :D

As for the "In Which", I think Brust does it masterfully.

[janetbellinger]

I used to name my chapters, but I don't any more.

[southern_cross3]

In my fantasy WIP I name the chapters, usually one to three words that encompasses the overall feeling or theme of the chapter.

[Soccer Mom]

I name my chapters, but I do write for kids (MG) so YMMV.

My favorite chapter name? "A Tale of Two Dinosaurs".

[rubarbb]

Ithing a title is an insight into the chapter. It's like a painting, some people just number them. I always give them a title, it makes you think.

[Thekherham]

I don't name my chapters. Some years ago I tried to give names to my chapters, but I gave up.

[Penguin Queen]

Let's not diss the "in which".

Simply because I use them and to be honest, now I am feeling a bit
concerned.

I think in writing one can do anything, as long as it isnt plagiarism or illegal, and most importantly, as long as it's done well.

Personally, I like "in which"es.

My mystery novel doesnt have chapters, I just start a fresh page for each new day. It does consist of four parts, and those are numbered and have a title (a question each). So I suppose you could say my novel does have four very long chapters, and that they are titled. :)