I USE EPIGRAPHS in every chapter of my novel, Adventures of Rel Rel Malidimus Mages. Epigraphs, for those that don’t know, are the sentences or paragraphs that show up at the beginning of a chapter. Like an opening line or statement that gives context or an idea about the chapter to come. When I first started writing epigraphs, I simply used a phrase that a character said in the chapter. Nothing fancy, just a quote followed by the character’s name. Simple.
ONE BETA READER mentioned that she wished my epigraphs weren’t from the chapter. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant. I figured the quote was good enough and gave context, or at least an idea of what was to come in the chapter.
The Whisperwicks
THE WHISPERWICKS The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees and illustrated by Vivienne To changed that. I was wandering through Barnes and Noble one day with my family. Spending some time out of the house, and we often do. I happened upon a book with a very interesting cover. I’d never seen or heard of it, but after flipping through the pages, reading a couple of the paragraphs, I decided it was worth a read.
I HAD NOT READ A BOOK in ages. Which is horrible, for a writer and a lover of reading and books. I felt like this would be a good start to get me back into the reading groove. I bought The Whisperwicks and started as soon as we got home.
WHAT INTRIGUED ME as I started reading was the imaginative world. I loved the ideas, the characters, and the writing. I will admit that I am very particular when it comes to the writing style of a book, and I won’t read just anything. If it’s too flowery, too descriptive, and uses too many allusions or similes, I won’t read it. If it’s written in first person, I won’t read it.
I once read a fantasy book that, in its opening description, made it sound like the character was walking up hill through the snow, only to actually mean they were covered in ash on the side of a volcano. I hate that. I also hated the simile of a man drinking from a styrofoam thimble, to mean they drank from a styrofoam cup. Sh** like that irritates me, and makes me instantly put the book down.
MY FAVORITE WRITERS and books have simple, thoughtful descriptions that get to the point and paint a word picture, rather than rely on word vomit on the page. Madeleine L’Engle, Frank. E Peretti, and more recent authors that I’ve read, like Jordan Lees, do this very well. And truth be told, when I write? I’m trying to emulate Madeleine L’Engle and Frank. E Peretti.
If it isn’t written simply like this, I won’t read it.
Epigraphs in My Book
SO, YES, EPIGRAPHS. Whisperwicks The Labyrinth of Lost and Found begins every chapter with an epigraph, but it’s a bit of lore and information that doesn’t show up in the chapter, followed by the name of a book and the author. I thought this was genius! I’d never thought of writing an epigraph in this way. And for those who have read my books, this is the exact format that I use and follow. Thank you, Jordan Lees, you are awesome!
IN ADVENTURES OF REL REL Malidimus Mages, I create the epigraphs from an in-universe book called “Remember the Fall” by R.K. Folklore. Each epigraph is a small section that documents the events of the chapter, as told from R.K. Folklore’s perspective. And the reader eventually, or hopefully, notices that the event mentioned in the opening epigraph doesn’t line up with what happens in the chapter.
I did this purposely to show that there is something wrong with how things are unfolding, subtly referring to what characters Gamin, Razor, and Kitty mention in the early chapters. I try to show that something isn’t right, without explicitly mentioning that something has gone awry.
Closing Thoughts
But yeah! That is why I wrote the epigraphs the way I did, and it was inspired by reading The Whisperwicks The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees and illustrated by Vivienne To. I wanted to give credit for such a brilliant idea, and something that I believe changed my book for the better. It added a bit of subtle hints and lore that didn’t exist before. And for this, I must thank Jordan Lees!
