Chapter names or no chapter names?

[NoFcuksGiven]

Do you guys prefer to put chapter names on your fiction or not? Personally, I don't bother using them for two reasons:

1) I'm already using too much of my brain power coming up with the contents of the chapters themselves. I don't wanna use even more just summarize each one in a couple of words, especially if it provides little or no return.

2) The title of a chapter could potentially spoil the contents of the chapter and possibly lessen the emotional impact of the chapter itself.

Usually, I just label my chapters with simple numbers (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, ...etc.) But maybe there are legitimately good reasons for using chapter names.

What are your guys' opinion on the matter?

 

[HelloHound]

it helps distinguish your chapters from others but ultimately it's a choice of vibes and preferences

 

[Deleted member 1244]

Use a bell curve

None in the start, none at the end, but name most of the middle ones.

 

[Roseofblades]

I name my chapters for a few reasons. Sometimes its to hint at the content of the scene. Sometimes it's to make an obvious reference to the various Anime I enjoy. Most of the time it's to make an either sarcastic, ironic, or simply hilarious joke. Like... The titles of one of my chapters is "This wasn't supposed to be another sex scene!"

Dealer's choice. Personally I feel like doing it sets the tone of the whole scene or shows my warped sense of humor.

 

[georgelee5786]

chapter names are nice

 

[ManwX]

i like naming things.. its the best feeling to name things... gotta name me chapters.....

 

[J_Chemist]

Answered in depth in another thread asking the exact same question.

Yes, I use numbers and names.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

There is also a practical reason you should name your chapters. It's good for remembering things.

 

[TASTYLEADPAINT]

Name. It's a good way to remember what chapter Is what.

 

[DaisukeHanashi]

Name, even though I haven't named my chapters cuz I know most book chapters (I mean, the printed book chapters) don't name their chapters too often.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I like them, but that's just me. You do you.

 

[ReadLight]

Do you guys prefer to put chapter names on your fiction or not? Personally, I don't bother using them for two reasons:

1) I'm already using too much of my brain power coming up with the contents of the chapters themselves. I don't wanna use even more just summarize each one in a couple of words, especially if it provides little or no return.

2) The title of a chapter could potentially spoil the contents of the chapter and possibly lessen the emotional impact of the chapter itself.

Usually, I just label my chapters with simple numbers (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, ...etc.) But maybe there are legitimately good reasons for using chapter names.

What are your guys' opinion on the matter?

I write a chapter name so I know what to write for this chapter.

Funny enough often at the end of a chapter I have to change my chapter name to match what I actually wrote.

 

[TsumiHokiro]

Titles are useful so your readers can identify which chapter is which. Numbers work as titles as well. I both number and name my chapters, though names are used to give a general idea of what is going to happen in the chapter, such as hints, or as reference for something that would be interesting to think of while reading that chapter. It's just extra-info. Books don't use chapter names since they're usually self-contained, but they have "Book titles" nonetheless. This bird would like at least unique numbers so it's easier to navigate through the novel…

 

[Galaxyx]

Numbering is a must, but a real name not really. I generally don't like them if they spoiler me on the content of the chapter if it isn't something that was already clear from the chapters before. Exceptions are if it's puns those are always welcome. But in the end it doesn't really matter much so if you as the author think it wastes too much brain power ignore them

 

[Sylver]

Chapter titles are the default source of advertising your content. Keep in mind, every time you publish a new chapter it will be up in the title page for SH as recently uploaded. People are less interested in taking a chance on a story with the captivating title of "Chapter 45"

Now a title like "Her First Time" might grab some attention plus it helps you the author take notice of what grabs the readers' attention.

For example, I notice the chapter titles that include Wolf Girl tend to have a boost in viewership during my scheduled publish time. So if I ever feel like gaining a boost of attention, I can write the chapter title to include Wolf Girl in them. Some examples are "The Wolf gets to know her Prey" or "The Story behind the Wolf."

 

[ATRUNA]

I like chapter names to be honest.

 

[BearlyAlive]

Name them chapter four hundred four and so on. Worst of both worlds!

 

[Bartun]

I love naming my chapters with references to movies, shows, and popular culture but in such a way they aren't spoilerific. It's a nice challenge.

 

[SurfAngel_1031]

Do you guys prefer to put chapter names on your fiction or not? Personally, I don't bother using them for two reasons:

1) I'm already using too much of my brain power coming up with the contents of the chapters themselves. I don't wanna use even more just summarize each one in a couple of words, especially if it provides little or no return.

2) The title of a chapter could potentially spoil the contents of the chapter and possibly lessen the emotional impact of the chapter itself.

Usually, I just label my chapters with simple numbers (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, ...etc.) But maybe there are legitimately good reasons for using chapter names.

What are your guys' opinion on the matter?

I have named every chapter of mine. I like the idea that it gives a minor hint into what I am thinking about as I write the chapter.
I mean I use numbers as well, that is great for organizing them overall and certainly helps when outlining a few chapters ahead - so the number system is - at least to me, unavoidable.

 

[prognastat]

I do use chapter names. Biggest one for me is to not exclude chapter numbers. Cool that you have a name for your chapter, but I would really like to be able to see where in the story I am based on the chapter number and also when comparing to how many new chapters came out since I last read it. That shit annoys me.