No this is not the 18th Century and ‘yes’ chapter titles are being reborn. Chapter titles tantalize without revealing too much.
Both young adult and fantasy novels tend to see more chapter titles than other genres. However, any genre can use them.
There are many ways to title your chapters:
- take a snippet from the book.
- combine numbers so that your chapter title becomes “Jane, 1953”
- use a setting, “Paris in Spring”
- try one or two-word titles
- present a mystery
Then there is the most common way to name your chapters, base it on the event that occurs in that specific chapter.
5 Features of Chapter Titles
- its a great way to convey information
- a small promise to reassure readers that the story will be satisfying.
- starts with intrigue another enticement for a reader
- to reinforce ideas from your story
- hint at events to increase tension or dread
Headings are linked to the story – hooking the reader. For there potential customer considering the purchase of your book, chapter headings can be like smiles.
Chapter headings are only a small part of a book’s tone. They are, however, one of the first things the reader encounters and in the 21st Century are very much under used.
Font size and style play a big part. Children’s books tend to have huge titles that take up half the page, whereas mysteries opt for the discreet and understated.
Be careful not to give too much away and make sure the title connects with the reader.
In the end, it’s just a matter of making mindful choices.