5k too ambitious for an opening chapter?

The Lonely One · May 22, 2009

I know I know--do what works, chase the rainbow, chapters can be any length. I'm looking for reader answers rather than writer answers here, though. Be honest. Is 5k words too long for the very first chapter of a book, in your reader's mind? Would you rather see smaller for the first chapter and work into longer ones?

The first chapter is a full scene (if not two), but the first scene is just getting into character, setting the tone and filling the reader in. Then there is a line break and the character steps outside, into a different scene but essentially the same locale, characters etc. So what do you geniuses think? Cut it up into two chapters? Leave it the hell alone until later?

This is a first draft, and I'm more than aware of the write and edit later situation, but, I guess you could call this prudent thinking. Planning ahead. Something like that. Anyways, drop a line. Let me know what you think. Thanks, friends.

Parametric · May 22, 2009

Sounds fine. A scene break is as good as a chapter break in terms of letting the reader rest their eyes, grab a coffee, whatever. I might start getting ticked if a single scene was running to that length, but scene breaks definitely help. You might end up cutting 20-30% during first-round edits anyway.

Eric San Juan · May 22, 2009

Over the years, I've found that as a reader I vastly prefer books with shorter chapters (a preference I've since incorporated into my own writing). That opening chapter is especially crucial.

The "do what's best for the story" applies here, as always, but speaking purely as a reader -- and I speak only for myself, obviously -- 5k might feel a bit long as an opener.

Or course, if it's a rockin' 5k that really absorbs me, it'll feel far too short. Which is just the reaction you want!

vrabinec · May 22, 2009

I'm not suggesting you write the same way I do, but I find myself trying to fit too much stuff into first scenes pretty much every time I start a new project. Invariably, I end up going back and editing things out that seem more natural to be divulged later. But I leave them in where I put them until I'm done and rewriting the whole thing.

If that's not the case in your situation, then I'd say the word count is fine, because then it really is a matter of "whatever works".

maestrowork · May 22, 2009

5K is about 20 pages (or 15 TPB pages). No big deal if you write it well.

LuckyH · May 22, 2009

OK, as a reader then, although I don't think there is that much of a difference.

I prefer the traditional, shortish opening chapter, anything that is far away from what we refer to as an 'info dump'. Shortish? Probably around 14 to 20 pages.

5,000 words are not that far away from 20 pages, are they? It's a hot and sticky afternoon, and I can't work it out. What is it, 300 words a page?

CaroGirl · May 22, 2009

Are there any scene breaks, or is one long continuous scene? If there are scene breaks, I think it's fine. One long 5000 word scene might be too much for an opener. I know I've become frustrated with books that have a too-long first chapter.

Clair Dickson · May 22, 2009

I'm reading 'Ill Wind' by Rachel Caine (and enjoying it) and the first chapter was enormous-- some 70 pages! In fact, I think there are only five chapters in the 337 page book. I don't think it hurts the book even though my preferences is for much shorter chapters.

So, whatever works works.

AllieB · May 22, 2009

I don't think 5K is too long depending on what's going on...but I get a little nervous when you say you're "filling the reader in." First chapter should be hooking the reader, introducing conflict, maybe establishing character...not filling in backstory or details or history. If you aren't doing that, then you're probably fine. But filling in can (and probably should) often happen after the first chapter.

Mr Flibble · May 22, 2009

When I read I don't care how long the chapter is ( or even if there are no chapters) I care whether I'm enjoying the story

So if 5k is the best place to end the chapter and you can end on a note that makes the reader want to turn the page, go for it. Besides, if it's only the first draft you can change it later.

The Lonely One · May 22, 2009

AllieB said:
I don't think 5K is too long depending on what's going on...but I get a little nervous when you say you're "filling the reader in." First chapter should be hooking the reader, introducing conflict, maybe establishing character...not filling in backstory or details or history. If you aren't doing that, then you're probably fine. But filling in can (and probably should) often happen after the first chapter.

Meant that in a loose sense. By 'filling in' I mean by establishing character, voice, what's going on. Although only the first hundred, hundred fity words are any kind of back story, and it's catching backstory if I'm allowed to say so myself. 90% of this chapter is forward momentum.

BTW thanks everybody who's answered so far.

Sage · May 22, 2009

I personally prefer shorter chapters, but I am just one reader

Also, chase the rainbow.

Emily Winslow · May 22, 2009

My first chapter is 12,000 words.

The Lonely One · May 22, 2009

I suspect this is also a genre thing, too. I'm in sci-fi, space opera

batgirl · May 22, 2009

I'm trying to write a crit for a first chapter that was sent to me as a pdf (44 pp. at line-and-a-half), then as a .tex file. When I managed to cut&paste the text to RTF so that my puny tech skills allowed me to read & comment, I checked wordcount.
20,500 words.

-Barbara

blacbird · May 22, 2009

Maybe it's just me, but I think too many writers here get unnecessarily hung up on chapter lengths, chapter breaks, etc., in the first draft phase. Write the story. You can fool around with dividing it up later.

caw

Sirion · May 22, 2009

tainabell · May 22, 2009

When I'm reading a book, I don't care how long the chapters are. I don't stop reading because its the end of the chapter, I stop because its time to do something else, or because I'm falling asleep, or whatever other reason.

So it wouldn't matter at all to me as a reader how long the chapter was.

Izz · May 22, 2009

IdiotsRUs said:
When I read I don't care how long the chapter is ( or even if there are no chapters) I care whether I'm enjoying the story

So if 5k is the best place to end the chapter and you can end on a note that makes the reader want to turn the page, go for it. Besides, if it's only the first draft you can change it later.

What IRU said.

raburrell · May 22, 2009

Mine's about 6500 words, divided into four or five scenes and two POV's. Readers need places to catch their breaths, but the key is to let them do so whilst being eager to get back into it. (Something my first drafts probably didn't accomplish so well)

Show it to a few people (or post in SYW) and ask if there was some point where they stopped reading (or considered doing so). That'll tell you whether 5k is too much or not.

As a *reader*, 5k would take me roughly 7 or 8 minutes. Most readers would certainly read for longer than that at a stretch, I would think. So it's not the chapter length that's at issue per se, it's the ability of your story to get me past the first few pages and make me want to settle in for the long haul.

ccv707 · May 22, 2009

It should be as long as it needs to tell the opening segment of your story.

Raphee · May 22, 2009

5K. Not much at all.
Badly written 2K...is worse.

Blackest_Nite · May 25, 2009

Most of my chapters are around 5k, so if it's too long then I am in the same boat. But I honestly think that it's a perfectly fine number, so there is no problem with it. If the writing is good then the reader will read.

5k too ambitious for an opening chapter?

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Boxy But Safe

Dipwad

Fear the Death Ray

Oh, really?

Living the dream

A dark core to every cloud

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Do Not Walk on the Grass

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Writting broad

practical experience, FTW

Doing the Space Operatic

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

He who asks, "Why?"

In debt to AW

Rubbish Poet