Do you have to have chapter names?
- Thread starter LearningTwoWrite
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You can do whatever you like
They don't take off "points" for not having names?
Ummm, I don't know why chapter names would matter. Grab a stack of books at the library and you will see numbered chapters, titled chapters, and books with no chapters at all.
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I agree with what was posted earlier. Check out the books at the library. Besides learning what is typical for chapter headings (which, in all probability, is something an editor or an agent might want to weigh in on), you'll also learn a lot more about the genre.
They're not necessary, but I'd recommend them unless your chapters are really short. Like Tallent said, chapter titles add foreshadowing, and events are easier to recall if you have titles rather than just numbers.
IMHO, it's better not to have them, than to have weak ones. Best, is to take the time to come up with great (funny, foreshadowing, etc) chapter names. But some writers just can't think up good chapter names.
good chapter titles are an art in themselves. Too good, and they give away something important. My son HATES that. Too vague, and why bother?
I think they are best when the narrator has a distinctive voice and the titles fit along with that voice. Otherwise, I think they fade into the background and don't really matter either way.
I think they are best when the narrator has a distinctive voice and the titles fit along with that voice. Otherwise, I think they fade into the background and don't really matter either way.
I like chapter titles a lot. So much so my adult novel has them. But I am terrible at naming books/stories, go figure.
Chapter titles are optional. If you aren't into them skip them.
Chapter titles are optional. If you aren't into them skip them.
My editor wanted me to put in chapter names, even though I don't like having to think them up. It takes way too much time to come up with something that works.
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I had a lot of fun naming the chapters in TRAMH. I set a few rules for myself. The title had to be a quote from the chapter itself, it couldn't give away too much, and (with the exception of one) it had to be short.
IWWP, on the other hand, has no chapter titles.
Do what you think is best for your book!
Hope that helps!
Rue
IWWP, on the other hand, has no chapter titles.
Do what you think is best for your book!
Hope that helps!
Rue
I put chapter titles in my first MS. I had a lot of fun coming up with different ones, though some were hard and not that clever. Still, if an agent or publisher doesn't like them, they're easily removed. I'd say it's a matter of choice. I had what I thought were really good ideas for some, so I went with it, even if they all weren't the most amazing things I'd ever come up with. I'd say don't do it unless you really want to.