Friday, August 2, 2013

Should chapters be of the same length?

Some time back, one of my writing friends who had gone the independent publishing route as most of the agents had turned down her book, told me while chatting online, that she was adjusting her chapters. I asked her what did that mean. She said she was making sure that all the chapters are of equal length.

This got me in a bit of a problem. For my previous two manuscripts, I had not paid attention to this detail. Infact, if you ask me, I won’t even be able to tell you the word count for the chapters or the number of pages for each chapter. I just know that the prankster book has long chapters and the other about a boy and a magic spirit has short chapters. But whether the chapters are of equal length or not, I won’t be able to tell.
                                                                                    
Unfortunately for me, I don’t pay much attention to chapter lengths. Neither while writing my books nor while reading someone elses. I am more interested in making sure that the chapters end on a suspense or cliff-hanger mode. I also love giving each chapter a title.

For the current manuscript I am writing, I noticed this small detail. It’s just the first draft, so it’s going to undergo a seismic change. My first chapter is 1742 words and second chapter is 1000 words. The other chapters will fall in the 1500 words range. Maybe even less.

I checked the chapters of the book I am currently reading. The first chapter is 15 pages and the second chapter is 26 pages. This disparity made me feel happy. I am not alone where unequal chapters are concerned.

I am sure no editor or agent will reject a manuscript because one chapter is longer than the other. But, I am still concerned. What if this becomes a major issue when I shop my book around?

Should I be worried, that I have unequal chapters? Do you think I should ensure that all the chapters are of equal length? What about you all? Does chapter lengths gives you a cause for worry? Do you think unequal chapters can hamper a book? Any advice for me will be appreciated.


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36 comments:

  1. Interesting thoughts. My books tend to be shortish chapters as I find that works best when writing for a younger market. Adult books I read tend to vary so I would agree that cliff hangers and hooks are more important than length most of the time with an adult market.

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  2. I am with your friend on consistent chapter lengths, but I'm also with you on not overly worrying about them.

    As a reader, if a chapter runs on and on through too many pages, I get antsy for the next scene. But if its too short, and the next is too long, I'll feel pressured to get to the next event in the story - or my nerves will be jittery cuz too much is happening in too short a time.

    As an author - and a reader too probably - chapter length is also a part of "pacing" for the action of the novel. I never get hung up on the word count; but I do consider the "page flipping" as opposed to flow concept.

    A chapter needs to achieve a concept; and word count or number of scenes isn't that important. You can have 20 pages of mostly dialogue and backstory that flows well and accomplishes the chapter's character or story plot points that is 1500 words, or 10 pages of action that covers the plot points and 1500 words. Readers are hung up on page count, writers on word counts.

    So, yeah, chapter consistency within plus/minus 5-10 pages is good for pacing and plot development; but if occasionally 1-3 pages is all you need, then go for it.

    I'd say consistency is the key here. Adventure and mystery novels need shorter chapters to keep reader interest (and allow for life/potty breaks) while women's fiction and fantasy allow for longer chapters.

    As you say Rachna, sometimes longer is better, sometimes shorter is required. The consistency is not having a 5 page chapter, then a 25, then 15, then 35. Its setting a page turning pace, allowing the reader to stop if absolutely necessary for live events, but leaving them wishing to return as soon as possible.

    I'm no writing expert, but as a reader, if I know a chapter is consistently so many pages long - or so many minutes to read - then I know how long between each life event I can read.

    It sounds to me like, although you are not paying attention to the actual word count or number of pages of a chapter, you are definitely considering the pacing of a chapter for reader attention span, type of novel, and pacing/flow of concepts.

    Only worry about your chapter lengths if someone specifically says they are too long or too short; then look at the content of the chapter and what it is intended to accomplish.

    If your novel has a consistent rhythm and flow, then your chapters are just the right length.

    Just my opinion as a reader, of course.

    ......dhole

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  3. I have more experience blogging, than writing books. Hence my perspective comes from there.

    One thing that I am concerned about while blogging is - some of my posts tend to get somewhat lengthy. I will not want any post to go beyond 600-700 words because that's the maximum length that can sustain my reader's interest, online.

    I guess it might be different with books, but I am not in favor of writing more words just for the sake of it. I feel that authors should disregard the word count and focus on the material. This applies to individual chapters, as well.

    Destination Infinity

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  4. I wouldn't worry about chapter lengths. My editor told me that different lengths can be a good thing.

    She did get on my case about my chapters being too short and choppy, though, but I think that's something else entirely. ;-)

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  5. I know I'm trying to keep my chapters at a similar length, but I'm not holding it strictly to a certain page or word count, but I suppose it does depend on what MC is doing to the ms :)

    PS: Love Michael - also wishing him all the VERY best :)

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  6. PS... Just read Donna's comment above and *here* is your answer, Rachna!

    "I'm no writing expert, but as a reader, if I know a chapter is consistently so many pages long - or so many minutes to read - then I know how long between each life event I can read."

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  7. I don't think different chapter lengths is a problem. I do prefer reading books with shorter chapters than longer ones. But I'll read anything as long as it interests me.

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  8. Hi Rachna!
    This is a very informative post.thanks for posting.i have not written a single book till date but aspire to do so in the future.this write-up is going to help me.but frankly, as a reader i have never ever bothered about the length of the chapters or even the number of chapters per se... as long as the story is engrossing and beautifully written.so please focus on the plot and dont worry too much about the word count
    happy writing
    :)

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  9. I really don't think it's a problem. I've seen many published books with chapters of different lengths. Sometimes there's a chapter that's only a page or two. It depends on the story and where the chapter needs to end.

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  10. It doesn't really matter, as long as you don't screw up your pacing. The chapters is I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells are almost all fifteen pages long, with very little variance. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card ranges from eight to fifty page chapters.

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  11. Shall do. I find that different chapter lengths come naturally, there is a definite end to each chapter happenings, and I never find that they are the same number of words.

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  12. I mix it up, although my chapters are always on the short side. It's all about what suits the story.

    Happy Weekend!

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  13. I think it would be impossible to make them the same length, but as Donna stated, making them close would allow for even pacing. Dividing my manuscript into chapters is the last thing I do, and while I look first for natural breaks, I do try to keep the chapters within a couple pages of each other.

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  14. I, like you, have never paid attention to the length of chapters and I'd honestly be shocked to learn that any publisher does, either. I mean, unless it's such a start contrast that it's jarring. But in general, i really can't imagine that matters.

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  15. Interesting post, Rachna. I've actually read more in more than one book on writing that you should vary your chapter length. Just as, within a chapter, you should vary your sentence length. It keeps the movement of the story fresh. If you take one of your favorite books and go through it, counting pages, I'll bet you'll find both long and short.

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  16. Interesting post, Rachna. I've actually read more in more than one book on writing that you should vary your chapter length. Just as, within a chapter, you should vary your sentence length. It keeps the movement of the story fresh. If you take one of your favorite books and go through it, counting pages, I'll bet you'll find both long and short.

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  17. Interesting post, Rachna. I've actually read more in more than one book on writing that you should vary your chapter length. Just as, within a chapter, you should vary your sentence length. It keeps the movement of the story fresh. If you take one of your favorite books and go through it, counting pages, I'll bet you'll find both long and short.

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  18. Hmmm interesting. I think making the chapter lengths equal might curb creativity and spoil the story. I have read book where some chapters were a page and a half and others much longer. I think it depends on the publisher...

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  19. When I'm drafting and working from an outline, many times my chapters look the same length. Then when I'm revising I shorten, lengthen, combine, and delete, so the lengths vary.

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  20. Hi friends, thank you all for chiming in with your advice and suggestions. I agree with you all that pacing is more important than word count. As long as the chapters are racy and the scenes zip along at an steady pace, the length of the chapters should not be a cause for worry. If boring exposition is what is making a chapter long, then it has to be snipped.

    Hope you all have a good weekend.

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  21. Rachna, we can't do everyhing :0) you have a treat ahead of you,

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  22. I've never heard an agent or editor comment about chapter lengths. A beta reader commented about a few chapters in my book (she wanted shorter chapters), but now the book has sold to a publisher, the editor made no mention of them nor asked for changes. Any reader can stop anywhere -- that's what bookmarks are for -- so don't worry about it.

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  23. I don't think it's something to worry about, certainly not at the shopping around stage. They'll let you know if chapters need adjustments (probably if you have very long chapters).

    mood

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  24. I can't believe that's a real issue, the equal length part. I've taken note when one chapter starts to get too long, and I try and shorten it. I know that can be an issue. My first book has one chapter that is quite longer than the rest, and I shortened it as much as I could, but it's still long. But, I'd be a surprise if that was an issue for an agent, as they would make changes anyway. Writer’s Mark

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  25. I can't say I've ever given much attention to the relative lengths of chapters.

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  26. You raise such pertinent questions and then it is a pleasure to read all the comments. This blog is a great learning place. It seems there are no set rules about the length of chapters.

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  27. Thank you for a very informative post.

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  28. In my longer books, my chapter lengths tend to vary depending upon the subject matter and timeline. My shorter ones are lower 4000s/upper 5000s, mid-length is 7000s/8000s, and my long ones are over 10,000 words. I view chapters the old-fashioned way, as like short stories, miniature novels unto themselves. The idea of a chapter of only a few pages is foreign to me. Ten double-spaced pages, in the drafting stages, is about my average in my shorter books.

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  29. It's funny, my chapters usually end up being about 2000 words. I'm relatively consistent there.

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  30. Hi Rachna. Most romance publishers look for 3000-ish chapter length and some consistency. I think the younger audience likes shorter chapters so they can brag how many chapters they read.
    I try to keep my chapter lengths consistent.

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  31. And this time I waited Rachna as I wanted to learn from all you writers on this important aspect of writing books! Well worth a wait to gain different views from so many good writers:)

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  32. I try to keep my chapters, for fiction and non fiction, all about the same length. There is some variation though, depending on what's included.

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  33. Well, as an artist you can do whatever you want, but I find that keeping some consistency in chapters helps keep the reader involved. Depending on the story, I will actually make chapters longer or shorter if I think it helps the overall flow.

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  34. Hi, Rachna,

    First, THANK YOU for the lovely shout out! I really appreciate it!

    As for chapter lengths, I find in my writing, the story /chapter dictates where it needs to end. Some may be a bit shorter, others longer. It depends on the scene and thought.

    If your novel has good pacing an flow then DON'T worry about it! It's all about the balance, ebbs, and tides. This is what makes a truly good story. Not the chapter lengths.

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  35. I'm in the "whatever suits the story", natural breaks, cliffhanger, make em' go to the next chapter category!!!

    Now if I'd only write those chapters...

    Bless you!!!

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  36. This is such an interesting post. I probably wouldn't have paid attention to chapter lengths- but my co-author is a 5th grade teacher. She told me why she likes shorter chapters (read aloud, kids can get to the end of a chapter or maybe two during a reading time etc.). All of our chapters are not the same length, but we tried to keep them around 8 pages or less. At first we had some that were much longer.

    I am definitely curious if chapter lengths makes a difference. I know I love HP and the chapters are close to 20 pages long. :)

    Thanks for such a great topic!
    ~Jess

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