Length of Chapters?

[alfreda89]

How long are your chapters? Do you have any firm views about chapter length?

W has been listening to a lot of podcasts about writing. Mike Stackpole has been doing a "Book in 21 days" series, and mentions that he crafts his chapters to be 2500 words long. I see that as ten pages or so. He is convinced that this is a comfortable amount for someone reading one chapter a night, fast enough that the reader is committed to the book, and shorter chapters give the reader a sense of accomplishment.

I've always aimed for 25 pages, with three scenes in them. They can vary as far as 20-30 pages. Sixteen chapters, ~ 400 pages, and anywhere from 110-120,000 words in length. 110,000 words seems to be my natural length for a novel.

How long are your chapters? Do you have a reason for that length?

As a reader, do you prefer shorter chapters? Or do you not really notice chapter length?

I hope to stop by later today to see what y'all think. In the meantime, errands that must be handled.

Comments

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

My chapters tend to be about 30-33 pages in length -- I don't know why, but that length just feels right to me.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about it "feeling right". It's as if my subconscious has decided exactly the tone and rising or falling action before I even sit down to finish the chapter.

Good thing, too. The conscious brain is way too musy to write right now...