One of the things I like doing with my novels (and, even, certain info products) is put a quote under each chapter heading.
But, not just any quote.
A quote that sets the “mood” for the chapter.
The quote doesn’t reveal the content of the chapter, just the overall theme, and often there is some kind of (unrelated) connection to the story. (I do this in emails sometimes, too, but that’s a tale for another time, my little droogling.)
Anyway, I asked my publisher about this once.
(When we were publishing “Zombie Cop”)
I asked:
“What did you think of the quotes I picked for the chapters? I put a lot of thought into them, I just am curious if you picked up on them all or not.”
His answer:
“Your quotes do E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what you wanted them to do: Your audience – guys like you and me – will understand and appreciate 75% or more of almost every hidden reference, the quotes, and the other little treasures you scattered throughout the book like some of the street names, etc. I bet there’s a bunch I missed and I THINK I caught most of them. THAT IS GOOD, you want lots of things that a small percent will “get.” It makes the book most special to the very audience you want to like it.”
I have to agree with him.
And so, I have an idea for the sequel “Vampire Apocalypse”.
(I’m about a month away from finishing it.)
I already revealed the chapter titles a while back.
But, now I’m gonna reveal the chapter quotes.
Here goes:
Chapter 1: The Player
“Wow, these fellas really let themselves go”
– Tallahassee
“Zombieland”
Chapter 2: Fezziwig
“I’d give four million just to be able to take a piss without it hurting”
– Hyman Roth
“The Godfather 2”
Chapter 3: Monster Massacre
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil, because I am the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the valley.”
– Author Unknown
(Popularly attributed to General Patton)
Chapter 4: Plains, Pains, And Bat-mobiles
“Fly those friendly skies”
– Carl Taylor
“Men At Work”
Chapter 5: The Prodigal Returns
“So you’ve come to die with your city”
– Bane
“The Dark Knight Rises”
Chapter 6: The Life And Death Of Rory Rood
“You made me. Remember? You dropped me into that vat of chemicals. That wasn’t easy to get over, and don’t think that I didn’t try.”
– The Joker
“Batman”
Chapter 7: Hide And Stink
“Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right. Here I am stuck in the middle with you.”
– Stealers Wheel
“Stuck In The Middle With You”
Chapter 8: Saved By The Enemy
“If Hitler invaded hell, I would at least make positive reference to the devil in the House of Commons.”
– Winston Churchhill
Chapter 9: Odd Bedfellows
“I want to help you help me help ourselves”
– Crowley
“Supernatural”
Chapter 10: Skipper Of Skin
“It’s a swell ship for the skipper, but a hell ship for the crew”
– Author Unknown
Chapter 11: Vampire Apocalypse
“The water is poisoned!”
– Doctor Thomas Stockmann
“Enemy Of The People”
Chapter 12: King Of Egypt
“I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit”
– Ezekiel 31:16
Chapter 13: Down The Hatch
“…God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment”
– 2 Peter 2:4
Chapter 14: Back In The Game
“I may be bad, but I feel…good“
– Sheila
“Army Of Darkness”
There you go.
These are still subject to change, of course.
I have about 4 more weeks to go.
Then, it’s off to ye olde editor.
In the meantime…
Get up to speed on the story by checking out “Zombie Cop” here:
You can even read first couple chapters free.
See ya…
Ben Settle
