Advice on Long Chapters for Narrative NF!

tombookpub · Jul 27, 2013

As I create my first draft, certain chapters are clocking in at 6-8K words for my planned 70-80K, 14 chapter narrative nonfiction. While I expect a 10% cut via the second draft, these chapters will still be long, particularly in this day and age. Any advice regarding chapter splitting - especially since I have been striving to craft each chapter with its own narrative arc?
Thanks!

Donnie Marsh · Jul 28, 2013

I don't see why it matters if you need the legroom to discuss the topic. There are 18 essays in my 319pp. memoir. One clocks in at 58 pages and another at 5. Just depends.

Bufty · Jul 28, 2013

'Interesting' is more important than arbitrary length.

Siri Kirpal · Jul 28, 2013

Bufty said:
'Interesting' is more important than arbitrary length.

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Yep.

Don't break your chapters in two just to shorten them.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

tombookpub · Jul 28, 2013

Thanks for the replies so far

I hear ya! In this day and age, for my Gen X/Gen Y oriented book, I can't see a reader's attention spanning the length of an 8K chapter. Therefore, my concerns. Note that I do plan sub-chapter headings, er chapter sub-headings, um sub-chapter-sub-headings... ; )

veinglory · Jul 28, 2013

That seems within the normal range for chapter length.

Advice on Long Chapters for Narrative NF!

tombookpub

Nonfiction writer

Donnie Marsh

DÈẴƊ ḈỂƝŦƐȐ ƉËẪḒ

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

tombookpub

Nonfiction writer

veinglory

volitare nequeo