Breaking Apart the Novel

Dani Dunn · Feb 24, 2007

Hello wonderful people, I have a question for you all. I am writing a novel that is broken up into three parts. Each part has its own sections, but they all tie into the story. Is it weird to set up the book like this?

Redemption or Absolution
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Introduction

Part I: Tony's Story
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Part II: Carol's Story
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

Part III: Ramona's Story
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

johnzakour · Feb 24, 2007

Dani Dunn said:
Hello wonderful people, I have a question for you all. I am writing a novel that is broken up into three parts. Each part has its own sections, but they all tie into the story. Is it weird to set up the book like this?

Redemption or Absolution
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Introduction

Part I: Tony's Story
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Part II: Carol's Story
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

Part III: Ramona's Story
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Not weird. I just read a story done just like that. Can't remember the name. I think it was a YA.

If done right it can be quite effective.

PeeDee · Feb 24, 2007

You can break it up however you want. Just write it well and it doesn't matter.

Cath · Feb 24, 2007

Why should it be wierd? Many stories follow a three act format, which is essentially what you're suggesting here.

PeeDee · Feb 24, 2007

You want weird, go map out a Stephen King novel.

Dani Dunn · Feb 24, 2007

Thanks everyone. I was just concerned that it would be confusing. I'm still a struggling unpublished writer trying to get that big break, so I get confused about everything these days. I want to make sure my novels are well-written and easy to understand.

PeeDee · Feb 24, 2007

Well written and easy to understand will emerge on the level of the words and sentences themselves. Stephen King uses strange chapters to get his point across, Terry Pratchett uses no chapters at all.

So long as your words at ground level are well written and easy to understand, the rest will not present much of a problem.

Breaking Apart the Novel

Dani Dunn

Huh? What?

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Cath

The mean one

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Dani Dunn

Huh? What?

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?