Quotations for chapter openers

Oberon · Jul 31, 2007

I have read a lot of novels that use quotations at the head of each chapter. I have done that for my s.f. novel, using a lot of sources, i.e.:

"Take care, beware!" George Harrison
"There is nothing more exhilarating than to be shot at with no result." Winston Churchill
"A person's a person, no matter how small," Horton Hears A Who, Dr. Seuss.

Now I wonder if these quotations might take away from the feeling of being in a different world, the author revealing himself just for fun. Any thoughts?

JoNightshade · Jul 31, 2007

I think it depends on the tone of your work. Based on the quotes you cited above, I would guess that your novel is a bit wacky and amusing. If your novel is "Serious Stuff," you might want to rethink the quotes.

Also, I like quotes from obscure sources. Or made up ones. If they're too recognizable, I get distracted. Like if I read that Dr Seuss quote, I'd be thinking, "Hey, Dr. Seuss! Hop on Pop! Pop on top! I do not like them, Sam I am." Etc.

Azraelsbane · Jul 31, 2007

When I first started writing novels I took a lot of time coming up with clever chapter titles and quotes to go along with each one. 160k+ words later they seem unnecessary and slightly childish (to me). I'm not sure if this is something new writers get caught up on or what, but I ended up axing all mine.

I kept a quote at the beginning of each novel.

Roger J Carlson · Jul 31, 2007

All quotations in a SF novel MUST be from the Encyclopedia Galactica!

Scrawler · Jul 31, 2007

I find random quotes from famous or infamous people gimmicky and distracting. I never really get how they relate to the chapter.

What worked: I just read a novel set during WWII and every few chapters opened with a news report relating to the soldiers. (November 1942 "A joint US-British force under the direction of Gen Eisenhower has begun landing in Casablanca....")

JohnDavidPaxton · Jul 31, 2007

I cannot think of a single time that I felt the quote set me in the right mood, enhanced the story or gave me something more to think about.

You're getting paid to set the mood. Don't rely on someone else to do it for you.

IrishScribbler · Jul 31, 2007

One thing I'm considering is using small sections (small paragraph, a few sentences) of the Celtic myth "Deirdre of the Sorrows" to head each chapter, since the myth is integrated into the plot.

I haven't decided, though.

Thoughts?

JohnDavidPaxton · Jul 31, 2007

Using a theme for a chapter heading, or chapter title, is an entirely differnet beast than having a page dedicated to Winston Churhchill's opinion on the state of war.

I prefer individual chapter headings, dedicated to the plot or the reader, to just about anything. I say go for it, Irish.

burkingman · Aug 1, 2007

It's a tough call. I find quotations add a bit of flavour, but usually no more than that, and sometimes they come across as pretentious or dull.

Still, I'm seriously considering opening each chapter of my current WIP with a quotation. I'm doing a kind of alternate-history fantasy novel and each quotation would come from a source inside that world (snippets of songs or popular serial stories, history textbooks, newspaper articles related to the plot). I think a similar approach (fictional quotations) was used in Dune. The intended effect is for the quotes to flesh out the world, to make it seem more real, and to quickly pass along to the reader some useful bits of information about the world. Will it work? We'll see. Has anyone else tried that?

And yes, having each quotation relate meaningfully to its chapter might be tricky.

Oberon · Aug 1, 2007

Thanks, all. As I look again at this thing I have decided to axe the quotes. They are extraneous, and though I had fun researching them, they distract from the story. Also, will help a little to reduce the word count. Maybe I'll get there (wherever there is) eventually.

But, in parting, one of my favorites: "I wonder where all the BAD people are buried." Charles Lamb, age nine, wandering through a graveyard.

Hillgate · Aug 1, 2007

Oberon said:
Thanks, all. As I look again at this thing I have decided to axe the quotes. They are extraneous, and though I had fun researching them, they distract from the story. Also, will help a little to reduce the word count. Maybe I'll get there (wherever there is) eventually.

But, in parting, one of my favorites: "I wonder where all the BAD people are buried." Charles Lamb, age nine, wandering through a graveyard.

Good call, Oberon. Your publisher can always suggest some if necessary - they're easy to slot in.

reenkam · Aug 1, 2007

I know you've decided to delete them, Oberon, but at the same time...if a publisher doesn't like them then they'll probably tell you. Sometimes quotes add to the story. Probably not, usually, but it's not like someone has to read them. When I read a book with pre-chapter quotes I usually just ignore them until I finish the book, then I'll go back and take a look. But it's not like they hurt me that they were there and it's not like I had to read them and they weren't distracting, so I think if the author wanted them there then why not? That's just my opinion on the matter...

Maryn · Aug 1, 2007

FWIW, I'm surely not the only reader who doesn't even read the quotes at the start of chapters or sections. I've found they contribute so little that I'm not missing a thing. Really. It's probably been 15 years since I read one.

Maryn, whose eyes glaze over easily

Lady Esther · Aug 1, 2007

I think it's a great idea. Ann Brashares separates her chapters by using famous quotes (and without using "Chapter 1" etc.)
I love reading all the quotes and seeing how they relate to the next chapter.

Shady Lane · Aug 1, 2007

Lady Esther said:
I think it's a great idea. Ann Brashares separates her chapters by using famous quotes (and without using "Chapter 1" etc.)
I love reading all the quotes and seeing how they relate to the next chapter.

I was just thinking about her. And it works so well.

Carmy · Aug 1, 2007

I may read the first one or two quotes but after that I ignore them, but . . .

A WIP has quotes from fictional Annals and it's tough going creating them to reflect what's in the chapter without giving too much away.

Tasmin21 · Aug 1, 2007

I am using quotes about every other chapter in my urban fantasy. They are all quotes from notable texts on bushido (trust me, it makes sense in context) and have something to do, theme-wise, with the chapter that follows. I didn't think every single chapter was a good idea, though.

sanssouci · Aug 1, 2007

God knows there's a warm and fuzzy Nietzsche quote for just about every occasion. It's very tempting... But no I haven't, not yet anyway.

Philip64 · Aug 2, 2007

Quotations...

My experience is similar to Azrealbane's. One quotation (or two) at the start of a book is fine if you think it sets the tone or is genuinely a useful starting point. Having them at chapter openings usually looks fey and even a little pleading.

Also, remember the more you refer to other people's thoughts, works etc the less original yours will seem.

The ideal opening quotation is an arresting, largely unknown comment from a famous source (so do your research!). Here's one I read at the start of a thriller recently:

"Artists should have their tongues cut out." Henri Matisse.

Finally, on no account quote Shakespeare. Ever.

blisswriter · Aug 2, 2007

I like the quotations at the beginning of chapters. If I find them relevant to what I think is coming, I nod. If I'm not too sure, then I try to figure it out. If it still eludes me, I just start the chapter.

Sometimes it's hard to know if the quote is at all relevant until after I've read the chapter.

wayndom · Aug 2, 2007

Oberon said:
I have read a lot of novels that use quotations at the head of each chapter. I have done that for my s.f. novel, using a lot of sources, i.e.:

"Take care, beware!" George Harrison
"There is nothing more exhilarating than to be shot at with no result." Winston Churchill
"A person's a person, no matter how small," Horton Hears A Who, Dr. Seuss.

Now I wonder if these quotations might take away from the feeling of being in a different world, the author revealing himself just for fun. Any thoughts?

I've always enjoyed Len Deighton, who does it regularly (and well).

My only thought is that of the three examples you give, I'd toss the George Harrison quote, simply because there's not enough to it to make it quotable. It's like someone sneezed, and someone says, "To quote Oscar Wilde, 'bless you.'"

If it's not remarkably clever or pithy, it's not worth quoting.

Viola2007 · Aug 3, 2007

In my first novel I had quotations opening every chapter. When editing-time came, they were the first casualties. They take up space and don´t add much. On the other hand, I love reading chapter-opening quotations. That is why I included them in the first place.

Niteowl · Aug 3, 2007

I quite like quotations at the start. I've only seen it done well. Stephen King does it at the start of each chapter in his novel "The Long Walk". And Robert Aspirin does it in his Myth series (the two I've read, anyways), interestingly they are just made up sayings attributed to possibly famous people (i.e. "Russian winters can't be that bad" - A. Hitler).

javili · Aug 3, 2007

I find random quotes from famous or infamous people gimmicky and distracting. I never really get how they relate to the chapter.

Well, if they are random, they wouldn't relate very well.

Oberon · Aug 3, 2007

Lots of opinions. My conclusion is that if I use quotes at all, they should be made up, coming from characters within the novel, which is about a far-distant planet with people who have no idea they are from Earth. Adding quotes from this present-day world still seems like an intrusion: "Hi folks, I'm the author, ain't this fun?" It's not that kind of novel. I do have some quotes from characters, which I may keep. Thanks for your help.

Quotations for chapter openers

Oberon

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

Azraelsbane

Agony is defeat

Roger J Carlson

Moderator In Name Only

Scrawler

Bored fanatic

JohnDavidPaxton

IrishScribbler

JohnDavidPaxton

burkingman

Sporadic lurker

Oberon

Hillgate

On location

reenkam

aka cupcake

Maryn

Not Any More

Lady Esther

I can say the alphabet backwards!

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Carmy

Tasmin21

They will come from below...

sanssouci

Philip64

sticking his oar in...

blisswriter

blissed beyond belief...

wayndom

Viola2007

Niteowl

javili

Oberon