By PJ Scribbans
One of the quiet decisions every novelist faces might seem trivial from the outside, but it can shape the entire reading experience:
Should you use chapter titles… or not?
When I began writing The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier, this question lingered in the background as I crafted the plot. Some authors prefer a clean, minimalist approach – simply numbering their chapters. Others (like me) see chapter titles as an opportunity: a subtle form of storytelling that happens before the reader even begins a scene.
In the end, I chose to use both chapter numbers and titles. Here’s why.
Why I Use Chapter Titles
As you can see from the chapter structure of my novel…
Chapter 1 – The Sisters Chapter 2 – The Bay
Chapter 3 – The Mystery Girl
Chapter 4 – The Dream
(and onward…)
Every title teases a theme, a moment, or a piece of the puzzle.
I wanted the chapter titles to act as breadcrumbs, not spoilers, but hints. A single phrase can spark curiosity. The Holloway, Things Change, or A Walk of Pain… these names whisper of what’s to come without giving the game away.
The Pros of Chapter Titles
Foreshadowing: Titles can suggest tone and intrigue.
Wayfinding: Readers appreciate markers, especially in longer works. A chapter title can help them recall their place in the story’s emotional landscape.
Atmosphere: Titles add mood before the prose begins.
Marketing potential: (Yes, really!) Titled chapters can be quoted, shared, or turned into teasers for social media and newsletters.
In The Mereland Chronicles, the chapter titles have also become a tool to showcase the emotional journey of the two main characters, Hannah and Henry, without explaining their inner turmoil directly.
Why Some Authors Skip Titles
Of course, some writers (especially in thriller, sci-fi, or literary fiction) avoid chapter titles altogether. They worry about:
- Distracting the reader.
- Accidentally revealing plot twists.
- Breaking immersion.
That’s a valid approach, and for some stories, it’s the right choice.
But for an atmospheric, character-driven, historically inspired novel like The Crier, I beleive chapter titles help deepen the reader’s engagement.
What Readers Say
Interestingly, readers often remember chapter titles long after the details fade. I’ve had early beta readers tell me they couldn’t stop thinking about phrases like Converging Paths or A Perfect Place. Even when the specifics of the scenes blurred, the feelings tied to those titles lingered.
That, to me, is the power of a well-chosen chapter name.
Final Thoughts
So… chapter titles or no chapter titles?
For The Mereland Chronicles, the answer was clear: Yes, please!
If you enjoy stories with rich atmosphere, complex characters, and subtle clues woven into every layer, you might just find yourself turning the pages of The Crier and wondering what the next title will reveal.
The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier – Coming 2025 – See here for latest news.
✨ Watch out for pre-orders in the coming months – don’t miss out! ✨
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PJ Scribbans Author 