I have started writing my first proper novel, and posted the first chapter on this site. However after reading the comments, which I am so glad I received them I decided to remove the chapter to re-write it. In doing so I have decided that I'm not happy with the title that I have picked, so my question is. How do you decide what title to use, and is it best to use something short and snappy, or something discriptive regarding the story your trying to tell. How do you Choose, do you put several in a hat and just pull one out, or do you let somebody pick a title for you. I'm not happy with my original title but unsure where to get the title I want for my novel.
Hey! I agree with Adrian! :-)
"Authors usually struggle to think of a suitable chapter title when there is too much going on in a chapter. They should consider breaking the chapter up into more than one chapter."
Then again - a book title may, or may not, need to reflect the broad theme of the book... And, when it does, this may not always be the overt theme of the book...
David
"Anything You Want" is just as good a working title as any...
Settling on a title too early can end up being restricting.
I have found that an initial title doesn't matter - my own thinking as a story develops tends to create points at which a title changes.
As a practical tool - working with digital media - and over a long period - I have found that the occasional natural changes of title can be useful in a practical way... Rather then try to keep track of what is going on in one set of storage (folders) over a longer period and many revisions I periodiacally copy everything to a completely new set (date marked) and archive the old set. It does make things easier if the new set has a new name - and, as I work on each element within it, if I change the new material to the new name - this way I can see what has been worked on and what has not at a glance. This sounds far more complicated than it really is.
As far as working titles go - you can just as well pick a number combination or a randome word or two from the dictionary - all that you have to be able to do is recall what your working title(s) have been...
Ultimately you might settle on a title you want to represent the story - but an agent and/or a publisher might want you to go with something they think is more suitable...
David
Most contemporary chapter titles are short. Chapter lengths are also short. Long-winded chapters are a thing of the past. You will rarely find a chapter in a contemporary novel of more than 12-15 pages. Mine are much shorter.
My chapter titles are based on one main theme. I will use characters names, geographical settings and landmark events as chapter titles. But the title must relate to the broad theme of the chapter.
Authors usually struggle to think of a suitable chapter title when there is too much going on in a chapter. They should consider breaking the chapter up into more than one chapter. I had to do this before I learned to build a chapter round one broad theme.
Before you start a chapter ask yourself. Who or what is the chapter about?
Where is the chapter set/location? What is the dramatic event or main point you are trying to make?
A chapter should be based on one broad theme. Each chapter should be a water-tight, self-contained episode.
Chapters should have a dramatic opening. A landmark signpost and end with a cliff-hanger or a hook.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.