Comments on: I’m writing a story and I’m having trouble naming the chapters. Would you please help?

By: CatLuver

CatLuver — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:49:31 +0000

If you’re stuck on chapter names, do what I do.

1. Name chapters according to the plot of the book. e.g. a story about the ocean could have chapters called Turtles, Seals, Mermaid, ect ect.
2. Name them Chapter One, Chapter Two, and so on.
3. Treat each chapter as a mini story, and name it that way. e.g. If your characters go to a beach in a chapter, call that chapter ‘The Beach’.

Hope I helped.

Answer mine?

By: scarlett9284

scarlett9284 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:49:26 +0000

A chapter should be much longer than even what you have written here.

As for chapters, if they don’t name themselves, they really don’t need to be named. I just use the numbers.

By: Friday

Friday — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:32:11 +0000

Chapter 1: “Charming” (refers to both the spell and Ash’s personality)
Chapter 2: “Type A” (relevant but not too revealing)
Chapter 3: “Bitten” (playing on the vampire theme but obviously about the apple)

Just a few ideas. Hopefully that helps.
Friday

By: Unpretty

Unpretty — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0000

My advice is not to use “I (did this)” and “I (did that)” so much because it all tends to blend together in a way. Obviously, the story is first person, which makes it a harder perspective to write in without using “I” so much, but a lot of readers will get irritated with the story if their eyes keep drifting over the same spots two or three times because the same word keeps appearing. The story loses its appeal.

The chapters are too short, too. Basically, you could take the three chapters you have and blend them into one, and still add more. Two or three paragraphs don’t make a chapter. Try expanding on each chapter…for instance, when you introduce Ash, you describe him, then cut it off by saying that the character has been with him for three years. But, how did a witch meet a vampire? Try broadening the chapters by adding hints of personalization…don’t tell the story. Let the story tell itself.

I know you weren’t looking for advice there…just wanted to give you a few tips.

As for chapter naming, sometimes I come up with a chapter title right away. It just pops into my mind and I know it fits. Other times, I leave it alone and come back to it later. Sometimes I don’t bother with naming the chapter at all.

If you want to name the chapter, don’t be too obvious…but don’t be too vague either. You want to capture the readers’ attention. For instance, in chapter 3, you could call it something like “Sour Apples”. At first, the reader will see that they are eating green apples and figure you are making reference to that. Then, they will see that it could be because of the cousins’ Friday night visit.

By: Bert H

Bert H — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:16:31 +0000

I authored a series of books and the chapter titles I took from an entry (somewhat obscured) from the text.

Ex:
Your first one could be titled -
The werewolf in my life.

Anything to perk a reader’s interest is fine.

By: Mr. Grudge

Mr. Grudge — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:54:43 +0000

I generally number my chapters leaving the story to the imagination of the reader. But, if your style is to tease your audience with a chapter name, my advice is to not be too revealing, such as (example) “Chapter One: The day Johnny Drops Dead.” Or, too cliche: “Chapter Two: The Mysterious Island.” You get the picture.

This is your story, and from what I have read so far, you are doing a fine job. But, naming each chapter is something that you as the other need to do with the same inspiration which caused you to write to begin with. Take the time to find that special nugget within each chapter to tease your readers with and you will find it so worthwhile and satisfying that you’ll have fun just picking out chapter names. I have the same pleasure coming up with story titles, and you should think of each chapter within your novel as story bites. Good luck!