What's with all that crap in your stories?

OK - that's not how RaumTweet actually asked, but that's kind of what it comes down to.  Here's the actual question:

RaumTweet: "I've noticed that you have a leitmotiv in your stories: your chapter titles have a same structure (eg, Hide&Drink, with 2 verbs) or UC w/ verb+adverb), a sentence that marks the end of every chapter and another sentence, at the start of the chapter, that I call "miniteaser", but that often seems to be something that elicits many questions that are going to be answered by the complete chapter. Could you explain why do you choose to do so, how do you choose the sentences and so on?"

First off, that fact that someone actually noticed every Unexpected Circumstances chapter title is adverb+verb really kind of thrills me to death.  I spend an absolute ton of time coming up with the chapter titles and chapter ending lines for everything I post, and it's good to know tht effort is not wasted. :)

I'm a public speaker, and in a speech it's really important to get the audience's attention as soon as possible, and then keep their attention throughout your speech.  Writing stories in a "chapter by chapter" format is kind of the same as having a whole bunch of little speeches.  There are a lot of ways to get and keep people's attention, but the one I evoke in writing stories is to keep a set theme throughout.  That's where all the crap comes in.  No, I'm not really making fun of it and I'm not insulting myself.  I mean it as being the small stuff - the things that people probably don't even realize are impacting them.  My "themes" come in three parts:

1. Chapter titles

2. "Miniteasers" - I never really had a name for them, but this fits pretty well.

3. Chapter end lines

Having these three elements in each chapter I write (regardless of the story) wraps everything up in a nice, complete little box.  People know when it starts, they know when it ends, and there is a certain level of comfort for the reader in the familiarity.  If the readers feel relaxed and comfortable, they are more likely to keep up with the new chapters and maybe read my other stories as well - seeing similar elements in each of them.  I also hope it helps my work stand out a little from other writers and other stories.

As far as how I choose the chapter titles - well, I start a story with a particular theme (Verb and Verb for Hide & Drink, a four letter word for Surviving Bella (because Edward had a LOT of four letter words in that story), Adverb and verb for Unexpected Circumstances) and try to stick with it throughout.  Sometimes it gets a little difficult, so I at least attempt to make it a clear-cut enough theme that I can come up with a decent chapter title for each one.  Sometimes it's difficult!  There were some really BAD potential H&D chapter titles."Flame and Tame" was the possible title for chapter 25 of H&D (Churn and Burn).  Actually...now I'm not so sure they weren't both pretty bad.  LOL  CBWR? doesn't have any chapter titles because I knew I would be posting frequently, and I'll sometimes spend the better part of a week coming up with the right chapter title.

Chapter end lines - usually I have these figured out about half way through a chapter.  It's basically what the character has experienced during that chapter - what they've learned, what significant event took place, or how big of an idiot they are.  Once the character gets to that point, I know the chapter is done. :)

The miniteasers are, honestly, an afterthought.  I just go pick a short line that sums up a pretty major part of the chapter or one that I think will make the reader go "holy crow" and not be able to stop reading until they at least get to that line.

So there it is in a nutshell - the reason why I have all that crap in my stories.  I hope to get your attention, keep your attention, and have you coming back for more.

Is it working?

:)

If anyone has any similar kinds of questions, feel free to ask!  I'd be happy to answer any of them that don't give away plot for a current story. :)