A New Part in a Book

[kristen15]

I'm writing a book that's split up into three parts. When I start Part Two, do I begin again at Chapter One? Or do I just keep adding on to the chapters I've already made?

[katiemac]

It's your decision. I've seen it done both ways.

If you want to start your chapters over from one, it could distance Part One further from Part Two, especially if the story takes a whole new direction. If, however, you'd like to keep a link between One and Two, to enhance the novel as one story, you might consider keeping the chapters in order.

[maestrowork]

I agree with Katie. It's up to you. Starting over with Chapter One makes your parts more "distinct." If you continue with the chapter numbering, it gives a sense of unity and continuation, even if you break them into parts...

[MarkPettus]

If the different parts are not already "distinct", rethink your reasoning behind dividing the story into parts.

The second book in a series begins with Chapter One, the first chaper of the second part of a book should be numbered consecutively.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

[LightShadow]

What seems to make your book flow the best? What looks best? What does your gut say? Instincts usually know what they're talking about. Sometimes one way or another prevails and that may be what the industry wants, and I've seen parts like what your saying done both ways, but nothing is ever in stone. Ultimately it comes down to: what way is in the best interest for your book?

[aruna]

I'm writing a book that's split up into three parts. When I start Part Two, do I begin again at Chapter One? Or do I just keep adding on to the chapters I've already made?

All my books have 3 or 4 parts, and all of them start at chapter one and go all the way through. No new chapter ones.

[AdamH]

I think it's all a matter of preference. There's no real right way or wrong way in numbering chapters. Heck, I even read a great book called "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon where each chapter is numbered in prime numbers.