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

Hrrmm,

[dragonherder1.livejournal.com]

I don't have a specific length in mind, it needs to be at a good point to break the story. Why cramp a story if it needs to be longer or shorter.

That being said, I feel that an author can usually find a good natural break in narative and make a chapter end there. It does give me a chance to get some sleep.

I find chapters that go on and on annoying. If I am not really into a book it makes me think that the author doesn't have a handle upon their own pacing. Very few books need chapters that are forty or fifty pages long. Most authors cannot sustain the action continuously for that long.

So, break the chapters when there is a good break in the story. This can often be a good way to indicate that "time passes" without being jarring.

YMMV :-)

David


Just my opinion

Re: Hrrmm,

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

So, break the chapters when there is a good break in the story. This can often be a good way to indicate that "time passes" without being jarring.

Quite true. Writing smooth transitions is an art, one we work hard at!