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

Re: YA length vs. adult

[janni.livejournal.com]

You know, I came to this same conclusion a few years ago. I was writing proposals, the proposals weren't selling, which meant both that my career was stalling out and I wasn't getting the satisfaction of at least finishing the books I'd started.

I'm much happier writing complete books, and seem to be doing better that way too. I wouldn't rule out doing proposals again--I don't know what said career will or won't want a few years from now--but I wish I'd spent less time writing proposals and worrying about markets, too.

I'm also beginning to think writing what I want to write is good market strategy, because it results in books no one else can write, meaning my books can't be swapped out for someone else's next season, say--even if it also means finding the right editor for those books can take a bit longer.

Re: YA length vs. adult

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I'm also beginning to think writing what I want to write is good market strategy, because it results in books no one else can write, meaning my books can't be swapped out for someone else's next season, say--even if it also means finding the right editor for those books can take a bit longer.

I hope so, too. Let's hang on to that diamond in a coal mine!