Back in 2016, while still writing and editing my first fantasy novel, I wrote a post concerning the pros/cons and naming conventions of chapter titles. Since then, I’ve learned more about the ins and outs of creating them. First, a chapter title must be true. An author should never title a chapter something like “A Stampede of Pink Elephants” when there is no stampede or even a mention of a pink elephant, real or imagined, within the chapter. This notion of truthfulness brings us to the next problem, and the reason that creating chapter titles requires writing and editing skills, too.
We may label this second can of worms “honesty to a fault.” Imagine a sub-plot dedicated to the romance between the main character, Mary, and the detective, Richard. Naturally, the pages spent building up the romance teases the reader and forces possibilities and questions to grow in his or her mind. Will one die? Will they break up? Will they get married? Perhaps the end of chapter ten is a cliff-hanging hook. Will Richard save Mary in time? Too bad you titled chapter sixteen, “Mary and Richard’s Wild Wedding.” The author created an honest title, but his/her table of contents is nothing more than an extended spoiler list of the novel.
Here are the chapter titles for Storm of Divine Light:
Chap. 1 The Signs & Portents of Mage-Sense
Chap. 2 The Confessions of Brother Maynard
Chap. 3 Religious Relics Are People Too
Chap. 4 How to Roast a Goblin
Chap. 5 Secret Steps
Chap. 6 The Metamorphosis of Liberon
Chap. 7 Under the Stolen Kiss
Chap. 8 In Hot Pursuit of a Mouse
Chap. 9 Affection’s Afflictions
Chap. 10 The Last Wagon
Chap. 11 The Incredible Gnomish Vision Tube
Chap. 12 A Bloody Fragrance
Chap. 13 Soft Footsteps in the Dark
Chap. 14 Forks in the Road
Chap. 15 Suns, Moons, & Stars
Chap. 16 May the Light Shine upon Thee
Chap. 17 Something Stirs in the Wood
Chap. 18 Across the Queen’s River
Chap. 19 Ancient Rites Fulfilled
Chap. 20 Red Desert Rezzin
Chap. 21 Palatial Brevity
Chap. 22 The Price of Blood
Chap. 23 Golgent on the Horizon
Chap. 24 Weapons of Light
Chap. 25 Bulls, Ballistae, & Bandoras
Chap. 26 Guilder’s Gambit
Chap. 27 Stronghold of Shadow
Chap. 28 Full Circle
Chap. 29 Vows
I hope these chapter titles create an air of mystery and will entice the reader rather than reveal the whole plot of Storm of Divine Light. Of course, they are all truthful descriptions as well.
Do you use chapter titles when you write or prefer them in the books you read? Which chapter title of Storm of Divine Light intrigues you the most?
I used chapter titles in my first novel. As it’s the first one in a series i now have to use them in the subsequent books. I’m regretting it as it’s hard work thinking of them.
I like your titles, especially How to roast a goblin and Something stirs in the wood.
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Agreed. A table of contents needs thinking and revision. I think that’s why many shun the idea. I simply use working titles while writing. After the draft is done, I go back to revise them and keep them saved in another document.
Many beta readers and critique groups members have singled out “How to Roast a Goblin” 🙂
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Great titles!
In my case, I sometimes prefer numbers (“Chapter XX”) so that I don’t give away anything about the plot. Conversely, in my children’s books, I let the titles tell a short story of their own; kind like a book summary: “I woke up… I met a king… I met the world’s best salesman… Then I went to school…” etc.
I guess you could say I’ve been experimenting with my titles 🙂
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Hi Nick and welcome back 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post and my naming conventions within the table of contents.
That is essentially “The Balancing Act”, don’t spoil, but be honest. 🙂
I hope you’re enticed to give “Storm” a try. I’m truly interested in your opinion.
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I’d love to! But you know first-hand how little reading time the wee ones leave us, hence the delay.
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Believe me I know. There’s a backlog of reviews waiting to happen here too. You’re fantasy series is waiting to step up to the plate. Currently reading D.L. McGyver’s Castle Guards series, then comes TR Robinson’s Bitches, Colin Garrow (got two of them…haven’t decided yet), David Permutter, then your 1st in series.
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Believe me, there’s no pressure. I’m overwhelmed with one, let alone two wee ones!
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(Having said that, I do appreciate being in your tbr list 🙂 )
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