I am writing my first mystery novel. My question is : How long should a chapter be? I would love to hear everyone's opinion? Thanks!!!
Quick Question! How long should a chapter be?
- Thread starter Carimel
- Start date
- Status
One of my teachers once told me every chapter should be ten pages long, and although I know that's not true, and writers vary tremendously, that particular bit of advice has stuck in my head and I find that that is how long my chapters always are. Part of it has to do with the pacing of your writing--with a mystery you want people to turn the page, so you might want short chapters. On the other hand, P.D. James has very long chapters. There's no right answer.
How long is a piece of string?
(Come on. You knew someone was gonna say it.)
There's no right answer to this. I find my chapters tend to be, on average, about 1000 words.
(Come on. You knew someone was gonna say it.)
There's no right answer to this. I find my chapters tend to be, on average, about 1000 words.
Any length that works. I've read some chapters 200 words long and the scene or POV changes each time. Others are 3-5000 words long as a section. Whatever works for you. As long as you start with a hook and end with a cliffhanger that makes the reader keep tuning the pages, any length works.
hi mate
I reckon there are no reles about chatpters . The only thing I would try to stick to is get all the chapters more or less at the same size . It makes easier to read .
I reckon there are no reles about chatpters . The only thing I would try to stick to is get all the chapters more or less at the same size . It makes easier to read .
A chapter should not be measured in words. A chapter should be measured in events, emotions and points of view. Once you've got a concise grouping of one/more of these and have come to a logical break in the same, that's the end of the chapter.
I'm reading a John Irving book that has chapters in the 50 page range. Stephen King has chapters that are a page or less. Each is a clear, concise grouping of a scene, and emition or a point of view.
I'm reading a John Irving book that has chapters in the 50 page range. Stephen King has chapters that are a page or less. Each is a clear, concise grouping of a scene, and emition or a point of view.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2007
- Messages
- 3,802
- Reaction score
- 465
- Location
- Canada
- Website
- www.linneaheinrichs.com
There really isn't any set length. The only thing I find with my own writing is that the chapters tend to get shorter as the pace increases.
Linnea
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 9,709
- Reaction score
- 2,054
- Age
- 48
- Location
- uk
- Website
- www.lukewalkerwriter.com
Absolutely. Each chapter should tell its own mini-story. When that story's done, so's your chapter.
My first chapter is something like 21 pages, and I have others as short as 6. Granted, this may change during edits, but for now they feel right.
Dude, a chapter can be as long as it takes to tell a scene. There are books with no chapters at all, why does it matter?
The first three to four chapters are usually long but the rest of the book should be a lot shorter.
The first three to four chapters are usually long but the rest of the book should be a lot shorter.
Totally.
I've seen published chapters 3 words long. I've also seen published chapters 68 pages long.
Whatever it needs to be to do the work it needs to do.
I have some very short and some rather long chapters. It just depends how long it takes to tell each piece of the story.
I write until the chapter is done and then I start a new one. then I write that one until it is done.
I write until the chapter is done and then I start a new one. then I write that one until it is done.
I don't believe this is true. Is this just something you've observed in your own writing or reading?
I assume you have read some Mystery books and have them on your bookshelves or have seen them in the library.
How long were all the chapters in those books? And looking at them ought to help you twig the different lengths and ways different mystery writers adopt to decide when and how to end a chapter.
There is no 'should be' length.
A chapter can provide a convenient (and easily re-found) point to stop reading and put the light out. On the other hand chapters are usually deliberately ended at a point where the reader wants to keep turning the page -NOT where everything is tied up, calm, neat and tidy.
That's the skill of the craft - keeping the reader wanting to turn pages.
Good luck.
How long were all the chapters in those books? And looking at them ought to help you twig the different lengths and ways different mystery writers adopt to decide when and how to end a chapter.
There is no 'should be' length.
A chapter can provide a convenient (and easily re-found) point to stop reading and put the light out. On the other hand chapters are usually deliberately ended at a point where the reader wants to keep turning the page -NOT where everything is tied up, calm, neat and tidy.
That's the skill of the craft - keeping the reader wanting to turn pages.
Good luck.
Please! Please! I get it!
All books should have a total number of pages not more than twice the number of pages in the first four chapters!
Is that it?
I win a cookie!! I win a cookie!
All books should have a total number of pages not more than twice the number of pages in the first four chapters!
Is that it?
I win a cookie!! I win a cookie!
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Messages
- 43,746
- Reaction score
- 8,654
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.amazon.com
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 9,709
- Reaction score
- 2,054
- Age
- 48
- Location
- uk
- Website
- www.lukewalkerwriter.com
Good question, and one that is a hot topic now. Since Patterson started the 2-4 page chapter trend, others are starting to follow. More people are trying to get a little reading in when they can. . . on their lunchbreak, on the ride home on a bus, you get the idea, so I think they feel they have accomplished a great deal if they read 3 chapters (maybe only 10 pages). Chapter length is a personal choice, I try to setup the end of my chapter so the reader can't wait to turn the page. Good luck!
thanks, writing memoir got 2400 words down and only got 3 years covered maybe will take several books to complete want to publish soon as i can
Why did this thread make it up to twenty-four posts? The very last thing you want to worry about is the length of your chapters. If the breaks don't come naturally, don't put them in until you're done. It's the same thing as the "when to title" debate. Don't worry about it. That's it. It's over. Done.
-giusti
-giusti
When I'm reading I tend to prefer shorter chapters so there is always a suitable place to stop and pick up from later.
I have always been interested in forced structure and limitation within writing so the ten pages per chapter idea appeals to me in some ways
I have always been interested in forced structure and limitation within writing so the ten pages per chapter idea appeals to me in some ways
- Status