Chapter titles have come a long way over the years, and I'm always disappointed when a book doesn't have them. When a book passes "the back cover test" the next place I look is the table of contents. I love reading chapter titles--they tell me a little about where the story goes--and help me determine if I want to tag along with that story or not.
"Chapter 20" just isn't a very compelling hook. (Unless of course every other chapter had a normal title--that would be interesting--why is Chapter 20 different? What happens that couldn't be put in a pithy title?)
Most books these days forgo chapter titles in favor of utilitarian numbers. Although fantasy is an exception to this. Crafting a chapter title is an artform all its own. Exactly how much do you want to give away? You want to entice the reader to keep going without betraying what happens--at least, not too much.
J.R.R. Tolkien did not like the fact that publishers dubbed the final third of the Lord of the Rings triolgy The Return of the King because he felt that it gave away the ending. Similarly, titling a chapter "Betrayed!" might not be such a good idea unless it's already evident in the previous chapter that betrayal is coming (even if the main character hasn't figured this out yet). A good chapter title is like a clue in a mystery. It tells you who, or what, the chapter is about--or perhaps, once you reach the end--offers insight of somekind to what transpired within.
I'd probably re-title chapter one of Morte D'Arthur "The Sudden Departure" or "The Duke of Cornwall" rather than summarizing the contents. My interest is piqued without being sated.
Currently, the first five chapters of Godsend are: "The Nymph's Quarrel," "A Daring Plot," "The Dark," "Knives," and "A Daring Plot Carried Out." Wow...I just realized that I have more than 5 chapters on this baby. That's exciting.
Yeah, most adult fiction and especially most sci-fi has numbered chapters, not sure why. Are we supposed to be too grown up for chapter titles to entice us?
ReplyDeletechapter titles are sometimes equivilent with pictures. if a book doesn't have them, why am i attracted to it? generally... i'm not. ;) i really like the titles you have so far (and i want to reeeead the story!!!).
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about it before, but from my first attempt at a story back in 5th grade, my fiction had chapter titles....but then something happened when went to college--I suddenly stopped using chapter titles.
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, I think I'll have to try it again. Coming up with chapter titles used to be one of the first things I did in brainstorming a story, because it helped me pace out the story. I should try it again. Thanks for the reminder!
It is interesting that you are learning from your own blogs ; ) Maybe it should be, the raven takes off.
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