Chapter length?

Gregg · Apr 13, 2010

Is there any rule of thumb for chapter length in an adventure/thriller novel?
Most of my chapters are 3-7 pages, with a few in the teens.
At times I have 4 or 5 chapters that take place in different locations; in other parts of the book I'll have a series of short chapters in the same location.

Does the reader get confused if there is too much jumping around with short chapters?

Kateness · Apr 13, 2010

Chapters should be at least one word and less than a few hundred thousand.

The useless, but true, answer is: do what works.

Midnight Star · Apr 13, 2010

There are chapters of all different sizes, from 37 words to 37,000 words. It's all a matter of preference, really. Your chapters can be as short or as long as you like. There isn't any specific rule.

DeleyanLee · Apr 13, 2010

I've seen a two word chapter in a published novel.

I've seen a 73 page chapter in a published novel.

As long as the chapter does the work, length doesn't really matter.

nitaworm · Apr 13, 2010

I wonder about this. I've read YA books with just 1-2pages per chapter. Adult books between 4-6 pages. Rule of thumb, if you can end every chapter with a cliff hanger then you'll probably nail the reader.

RJK · Apr 13, 2010

Although it's good to have a few cliff-hanging chapter endings, it's not necessary to end all of them that way. A chapter should cover an activity or subject, and leave the reader wondering what's going to happen next.

A perfect chapter ending would allow the reader to slip in the bookmark, close the book, roll over, and go to sleep to dream about your story. He or she will want to know what comes next, but you've settled what's been going on in the current activity.

stephenf · Apr 13, 2010

There is an issue regarding reading fatigue.I not too sure this is totally true.But I have read somewhere that you should regard an hour reading, as about average time most people spend reading a book.Depending on the complexity of the writing and the age of the reader,that would translate as about forty to fifty pages.If you can eccept this unproven theory ,I would say you might be better off with shortish chapters rather than very long ones.

DeleyanLee · Apr 13, 2010

RJK said:
A perfect chapter ending would allow the reader to slip in the bookmark, close the book, roll over, and go to sleep to dream about your story. He or she will want to know what comes next, but you've settled what's been going on in the current activity.

I respectfully disagree.

The perfect chapter ending would compell the reader to turn the page and keep reading, too into the story to think about sleep.

Those are the books that sit on my Keeper Shelf, at least. If I'm satisfied enough to close the book, then I might be satisfied enough not to open it back up again.

seun · Apr 13, 2010

It's a bit of a generalisation but I'd say the more fast paced the book, the shorter the chapters. As thrillers are fast paced for the most part, you could bear that in mind or you could do what's more important -

Whatever's best for your story.

Gregg · Apr 13, 2010

Hey -all great and useful comments. Thanks -
Now for the final, I hope, edit.

third person · Apr 13, 2010

I have a chapter that's only two words:
It's time.

I believe Stephen King has a one-word chapter in Misery:
Rinse. (or something to that effect.)

Kateness said it best. Do what works. What feels right to you.

cryaegm · Apr 13, 2010

I don't think it matters. Before my edit for my first novel, I had somewhere to 28 pages for chapter 23. Now that it is split in half, it's probably going to be a lot less than 28 pages. Right now, the most is 15 - 20 pages (I think. I haven't gone and quite looked), but I basically just split it up with whatever scene I am in, if that makes sense.

For the third book I want to write, all I have for chapter one is: "My name used to be Miss Emily." Then I start with chapter two.

shaldna · Apr 14, 2010

as long as it needs to be

Tracy · Apr 14, 2010

Two suggestion: 1) check what other novels in your genre do, and 2) don't sweat it too much. No agent is going to turn down an otherwise compelling novel because the chapters are the wrong length. If, when she accepts it, she doesn't like the chapter length, she'll tell you then and give you advice on how to change it.

The best of luck with it!

Joel Engesser · Apr 14, 2010

I personally like novels that don't stretch out a chapter too long but then lately i've been having to read "on the fly" so its more of a convenience issue with being able to stick in a bookmark and shut it for a few days. I'd say if you are unsure or need a guide just look novels in similar genres and see what your favorite authors are doing?

Libbie · Apr 14, 2010

From now on, whenever this subject gets a new thread I'm just going to post this:

Baryonyx · Apr 14, 2010

I hate putting a book down partway through a chapter so prefer chapters that are short and sweet. I always get annoyed if I don't feel like reading anymore and I'm stuck in the middle of a long chapter since I end up rushing through it to get to the end.

In my current WIP I'm averaging around 2000 words per chapter.

jairey · Apr 14, 2010

I agree with the idea of letting chapter seek its natural length -- but

I've noticed a number of agents ask for "The first three chapters." and they don't go
on to add -- 40 - 50 pages, nor are they asking for sample chapters. With that in mind, one might want to be certain that the early 3 chapters are a really good taste of the whole.

I'm making the assumption that the agent really wants exactly what they say they want
and not your interpretation of it.

Just something to keep in mind.

Jean

Rubicon · Apr 16, 2010

Gregg said:
Is there any rule of thumb for chapter length in an adventure/thriller novel?
Most of my chapters are 3-7 pages, with a few in the teens.
At times I have 4 or 5 chapters that take place in different locations; in other parts of the book I'll have a series of short chapters in the same location.

Does the reader get confused if there is too much jumping around with short chapters?

Readers will more likely get bored with crappy chapters of any length than of well written shorter chapters.

Chapter length?

Gregg

Life is good

Kateness

Midnight Star

We are once in a lifetime.

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

nitaworm

AW Addict

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

stephenf

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

seun

Horror Man

Gregg

Life is good

third person

She blinded me--with magic!

cryaegm

Snakecakes

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Tracy

Joel Engesser

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Baryonyx

jairey

Rubicon