Chapter length

[writing_diva]

I'd like to ask what would be acceptable for the length of a chapter.
Can chapters run from say, 3 to 35 pages? I'm trying to see if I have to cut my chapters down. some are 30 to 47 pages. Too much? Any help, appreciated.

S

[E.G. Gammon]

Try these discussions:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18855

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17981

[maestrowork]

/begin off-topic

May I suggest users do a search first before posting a question. Many of these have been discussed many times in this forum: chapter lengths, point of views, first-person vs. 3rd person, show vs. tell, etc.

/end off-topic

[Bufty]

The 'Search' box is at the top of these messages.

[writing_diva]

My sincerest apologies for interrupting or putting you out. I will not bother you with repetitive questions. I thought that's what this board was for, to ask fellow writers questions, to share and to learn from other's experiences. I was obviously mistaken on all counts. You have a nice day and I'll simply go away. Obviously this is the wrong board. Again, apologies. Stephania

[LightShadow]

My sincerest apologies for interrupting or putting you out. I will not bother you with repetitive questions. I thought that's what this board was for, to ask fellow writers questions, to share and to learn from other's experiences. I was obviously mistaken on all counts. You have a nice day and I'll simply go away. Obviously this is the wrong board. Again, apologies. StephaniaDon't listen to them, everyday new people show up and old subjects need to be drummed up again. Nothing wrong with that.

[Jamesaritchie]

Don't listen to them, everyday new people show up and old subjects need to be drummed up again. Nothing wrong with that.

Yes, but answering questions does take time and effort. When the same question has been asked only a few days before, it's faster, easier, and just makes more sense to look at the old thread, rather than expecting the same question to be answered all over again.

Doing a seach takes very little time and effort, and this is precisely why there is a search feature.

[MarkPettus]

I'm of two minds about this.

In cases like this, where one thread follows so closely on the heals of another about the same topic, I do wish people would search at least the first couple of pages before posting. A simple bounce of the other thread would have been received much better than a new thread. But, this isn't a reference book, it is a forum, a discussion venue, and most of what we ask for here, and what we provide here, is opinion. The opinions a thread will generate depends on the posters reading during the life of the thread. The same topic two weeks later might attract an entirely different set of posters, and a unique set of opinions -- any one of which might provide the guidance the thread-starter is looking for.

That said, in my opinion anyone who gets so upset by a comment posted on the internet that they fold up their tents and go home... probably isn't going to make it past their first round of rejection letters anyway. Sorry.

[LightShadow]

Yes, but answering questions does take time and effort. When the same question has been asked only a few days before, it's faster, easier, and just makes more sense to look at the old thread, rather than expecting the same question to be answered all over again.

Doing a seach takes very little time and effort, and this is precisely why there is a search feature.If the thread is still on the first page of the thread list, you are absolutely correct, but most newbies don't go past the new threads listed, and they don't know what has been talked about before, so on and so forth. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to be willing to research, or use the search bar. It makes sense, especially to someone familiar with message boards and familiar with this message board. When I first started on absolute write I had no idea what to do. I had never, ever done anything on my computer other than use my word processor, surf sports websites and some writing websites, and create a webpage through Yahoo and Comcast. In fact, I was new to highspeed. I didn't even realize there was a search bar for the first couple weeks. I found absolute write when looking up a question I had about genre through Yahoo. I loved it so much, I joined, thrilled to be able to communicate with other writers. At first that's all it was, a chance to communicate with other writers. She's new. Period, and the way it was approached to her about searching other threads and not bringing up old questions, I thought, was too abrupt. We have to give the new people a break, just as we received when we were new. Oh, and to answer her question, I tend to write my chapters between 8 and 15 pages, but it depends on the preferences of the editors that you are trying to appeal to.

[Jamesaritchie]

If the thread is still on the first page of the thread list, you are absolutely correct, but most newbies don't go past the new threads listed, and they don't know what has been talked about before, so on and so forth. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to be willing to research, or use the search bar. It makes sense, especially to someone familiar with message boards and familiar with this message board. When I first started on absolute write I had no idea what to do. I had never, ever done anything on my computer other than use my word processor, surf sports websites and some writing websites, and create a webpage through Yahoo and Comcast. In fact, I was new to highspeed. I didn't even realize there was a search bar for the first couple weeks. I found absolute write when looking up a question I had about genre through Yahoo. I loved it so much, I joined, thrilled to be able to communicate with other writers. At first that's all it was, a chance to communicate with other writers. She's new. Period, and the way it was approached to her about searching other threads and not bringing up old questions, I thought, was too abrupt. We have to give the new people a break, just as we received when we were new. Oh, and to answer her question, I tend to write my chapters between 8 and 15 pages, but it depends on the preferences of the editors that you are trying to appeal to.


I agree. But when someone tells a newbie to do a search, they aren't being mean. It's just a good suggestion, and will answer the newbie's question much faster than waiting for replies from people who just ansered the same question. I don't see any abruptness, and certainly nothing to take offense at. All I saw was good, useful advice being offered. I don;t think abruptness has anything to do with it. She asked a question, she received a very fast answer. That answer was "You'll find the answer, many answers in fact, right here. Just click on these links."

Anyone who wants more than this is being highly unreasonable, in my opinion. Either they want an answer or they don't. If they do, clicking the provided links is far and away the fastest method. Using search is the second fastest. Waiting for replies from people who have already spent time and energy answering the same question is the slowest method.

[LightShadow]

I agree. But when someone tells a newbie to do a search, they aren't being mean. It's just a good suggestion, and will answer the newbie's question much faster than waiting for replies from people who just ansered the same question. I don't see any abruptness, and certainly nothing to take offense at. All I saw was good, useful advice being offered. I don;t think abruptness has anything to do with it. She asked a question, she received a very fast answer. That answer was "You'll find the answer, many answers in fact, right here. Just click on these links."

Anyone who wants more than this is being highly unreasonable, in my opinion. Either they want an answer or they don't. If they do, clicking the provided links is far and away the fastest method. Using search is the second fastest. Waiting for replies from people who have already spent time and energy answering the same question is the slowest method.The links to click was the perfect answer, but maestro may have touched a nerve with her. He gave good advice, and he's right. She probably should have checked for identical past threads first. Sometimes it's not what you say, it's how you say it. As writers, we should know that. Maybe he could have said something like, "In the future, so that we may elimate too many duplicate threads, it may be a good idea using the search feature before creating a thread. Welcome to our message board, and I hope you find the answers you are searching for." Maybe it sounds like a little a** kissing, but sometimes when we are new and not so sure about things, it's nice to receive a little buttkiss every once in a while. Not everyone is sure of themselves, or go getters, and maybe as a result will receive a lot of rejection letters, until the day they learn the boldness and composure necessary to be a successful author.

[scarletpeaches]

How can someone become a writer, though, if they can't even do that sort of research (that is, searching for a topic)? Perhaps I'm being a little abrupt myself as we were all newbies at some point, but I remember having a good long read of all the back-topics before I started my own threads...And this particular subject was dealt with fairly recently. IMO, if you don't know how long your chapters should be...well! I would respectfully suggest one needs to read more novels, and call it research.

[LightShadow]

How can someone become a writer, though, if they can't even do that sort of research (that is, searching for a topic)? Perhaps I'm being a little abrupt myself as we were all newbies at some point, but I remember having a good long read of all the back-topics before I started my own threads...And this particular subject was dealt with fairly recently. IMO, if you don't know how long your chapters should be...well! I would respectfully suggest one needs to read more novels, and call it research.Correct. Readers are leaders. Writing involves research. Still, I have have a tendency to be diplomatic, and I always believe in giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Besides, chapter length isn't always something that one can manage easily. Often, they do run long or short simply because in most cases the right length for a chapter is when you are finished saying what you've got to say.

[maestrowork]

But, this isn't a reference book, it is a forum, a discussion venue...

It's common courtesy to do a search first on ANY bulletin board so you don't end up asking questions that have been answered many times, and waste bandwidth. Bandwidth is not free. Also, it only takes 2 minutes to do a search. And the search link is at the top of the forums for a reason...

This is simple, common net etiquette. We are not being mean here. We are a lovely, helpful bunch. But after seeing the same questions over and over again over a short period has a very adverse effect on people...

I am sorry if I sounded short -- and those who know me know I am usually very diplomatic. But the thing is, don't leave just because of one jerk like ME. As writers, we need to have thicker skin. So you learn, and next time, you do a search. That's all. No need to say "I am so sorry if I offend you, and I am leaving now and never bother you again." That's just playing victim.

Besides, I fail to see how I was being mean (unless you want to pick it apart and assign interpretation to every word I say):

May I suggest users do a search first before posting a question. Many of these have been discussed many times in this forum: chapter lengths, point of views, first-person vs. 3rd person, show vs. tell, etc.

I think I was actually very nice and calm pointing out the correct etiquette. Perhaps the original poster is just a little over-sensitive?

[LightShadow]

It's common courtesy to do a search first on ANY bulletin board so you don't end up asking questions that have been answered many times, and waste bandwidth. Bandwidth is not free. Also, it only takes 2 minutes to do a search. And the search link is at the top of the forums for a reason...

This is simple, common net etiquette. We are not being mean here. We are a lovely, helpful bunch. But after seeing the same questions over and over again over a short period has a very adverse effect on people...

I am sorry if I sounded short -- and those who know me know I am usually very diplomatic. But the thing is, don't leave just because of one jerk like ME. As writers, we need to have thicker skin. So you learn, and next time, you do a search. That's all. No need to say "I am so sorry if I offend you, and I am leaving now and never bother you again." That's just playing victim.

Besides, I fail to see how I was being mean (unless you want to pick it apart and assign interpretation to every word I say):



I think I was actually very nice and calm pointing out the correct etiquette. Perhaps the original poster is just a little over-sensitive?Perhaps, and once she's been writing for a long time and has a stack of rejections up to her nose she will become thick-skinned. And, I understand the etiquette involved, and only understood bandwidth recently - - - Maybe I'm just a poop because I always want to say things the right way, because I've been on the butt end before, yet did not really understand why. I just tried to put herself in her shoes and feel that even though it seems unnecessary, sometimes a little coddling is needed. They need a few worms before being thrown out of the nest.

[Fishmonkey]

I just tried to put herself in her shoes and feel that even though it seems unnecessary, sometimes a little coddling is needed.

Hey, I'm new, coddle me! Seriously though, failure to search is an honest mistake, I agree. However, reacting to pointers and even criticism with 'screw you guys, I'm going home!' is a bit immature, IMO. If you're new at a message board (or anywhere else), you try to learn the established rules. And Maestro wasn't even short.

[maestrowork]

I think I may change my title to: The Board Coddler....

;)

[scarletpeaches]

I reckon the bottom line is, if you want to be a writer:

1) Learn the basics. Chapter length is primary-school stuff. We should all know this by now.
2) Do research, both in writing and in forums. Read back-topics.
3) For God's sake don't be so sensitive. You need to develop a thick skin in preparation for all those rejection slips. Being prissy or sensitive will not get you a huge royalties cheque. It will get you laughed at at best, slapped at worst.

[James D. Macdonald]

The answer to the question "How long should a chapter be?" is "How long do you want it to be?"

There isn't a standard chapter length. Chapters have varied from no words at all to books with no chapters.

Do what feels good to you.

[aruna]

I believe the correct answer was given to her, and nobody was rude. However, perhaps a few friendly words of welcome in addition would have made her feel less brushed off. I noticed she posed the same question in the mentoring thread, before posting here, and that too went unanswered.

[maestrowork]

People did welcome the poster in another thread.

[scarletpeaches]

How long is a piece of string?

[James D. Macdonald]

How long is a piece of string?

'Bout that long.

[scarletpeaches]

Ah. I see. Thanks. ;)