Sci-Fi, fantasy and speculative Indie Authors Review discussion

I like to give my chapters a heading. When proofing my book, my brother said, "you might want to make your chapter headings more cryptic, because I can see exactly where the book is heading from the index."

I asked him where he thought the "book was heading." He was so wrong.

Now, I wonder if I should leave the chapters as they are to purposefully "misdirect" readers?

I remember a similar misdirection in looking at the chapter titles in one of the Harry Potter books. I say if there is no way it could possibly be a true spoiler, keep them intentionally vague or misdirecting.

Anthony wrote: "I like to give my chapters a heading. When proofing my book, my brother said, "you might want to make your chapter headings more cryptic, because I can see exactly where the book is heading from t..."

The question is, how do you name your chapters? If it something that you feel you are doing right and you like it, then leave it as is.

When I'm reading a book, I love foreshadowing with just enough misdirection to keep me guessing. There's a difference between, "Now, I see what that meant" and "You lied to me!"

I did the same thing in The Earl of Brass. When the two MCs are getting closer, I named the chapter "A Surprise Proposal." It wasn't a marriage proposal, and I got a collective GAH! from my readers or at least the ones who told me I was somewhat mean for doing that.

Short Answer:
As long as your chapter titles aren't like:
Chapter 22 - Main Character Dies
Chapter 23 - Just Kidding, Main Character Isn't Really Dead
I think you should be fine :)

Long Answer:
I don't pay too much attention to chapter titles. The only thing I remember about someone else's chapter titles was in William Ritter's book Jackaby. He intentionally left out Chapter 13 and it was a literary device to show a quirk of one of the characters.
With my own book, Atomic Aardvark, I had fun with my chapter titles hoping to add to the overall comedy theme. For example, one chapter is titled "Fancy Running into You" and involves a car crash.
Also, I don't have an epilogue. Instead, I have "That Thing After The End."
I like the idea of the reader finishing the chapter and then seeing how the chapter title ties into that chapter.
Except for one of the people who edited Atomic Aardvark telling me a lot of my chapter titles were cliché but she thought I could get away with it because they were funny, I haven't received any other feedback on my chapter titles. I suppose this is good. I'm not sure how I would take it if someone told me the best thing about my book was its chapter titles.

I used whimsical but descriptive chapter titles in my novel, but I'm not sure about the readers' take on it, since the feedback I received on the book never mentioned the chapter titles. To avoid all problems, I intend my next novel to have only chapter numbers.

Opinions in no particular order:

* I like clever chapter titles
* I dislike self-conscious chapter titles
* I don't pay much attention to tables of content before reading
* Chapter titles that are just numbers or "Chapter 1" etc. are fine
* I'm not afraid of spoilers
* I find the modern hyper-sensitivity to spoilers to be childish and annoying (a true spoiler is being told what you're getting for Christmas--when you're 10 years old--not that a main character has girl troubles in Chapter 7)

Personally, I tend to used chapter titles that tie into what's happening in that chapter. Not spoilers, but relevant. (Ex: In my first book, one of the chapters is "First Days of Freedom", and it literally revolves around the MC's experiencing what it is like to be free from the Arenas.) I haven't run into any books with spoilers, though I don't tend to pay much attention to the titles unless something catches my eyes as I fly past to get back to the narrative. Sometimes, I think that descriptive titles are a good thing - especially if you are a stop/start reader. You may remember what is going on in the chapter, which the chapter title will draw you to the right general area. Especially with electronic reading devices that don't let you book mark your place.

Just my two cents worth.

I confess I use chapter titles to set the agenda for a chapter before writing it. I try to make them slightly misdirecting and often use a 'well known phrase or saying' (i.e. cliche). Often I start with a title which implies my characters are going to decide what to do, then find (3000 words in, oops) they haven't come to a decision. Then change the title, carry it over to the next chapter.

(a true spoiler is being told what you're getting for Christmas--when you're 10 years old

nice one, Micah.