Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hi all,

I've come across different advice about having chapters in a novella length work and no chapters at all (still using scene breaks though).

If using chapters, is there an ideal length, say roughly 2K per chapter? Or is it better to have more chapters, but shorter in length, say break up every scene into a chapter.
Currently I'm breaking them up where the content naturally feels like a new chapter, but that way some of the lengths vary a lot.

thanks!

There is no answer to that. Or at least no definitive one.

I've seen plenty of novellas with chapters in them. Their length is ... appropriate to the story structure. Just like in a novel. Some stories need short ones, some need medium, some need long.

Novelettes are something like 7,500 to 17,500 words, so it's less likely they'd need other than scene breaks ... But again, that depends on the story.

Bottom line: Write the rough draft however you like. Once you get that done, take a look at the structure and see if it works. And don't stress what "is best" or "should be."

I write a lot of novellas, but I never consider chapter length beyond two criteria. I have to have more than 4 pages, but less than 10. I find that too large takes away from the story as much as not enough.

When using chapters, their length is irrelevant. I've seen one pager that packed more punch than longer ones. Why force them to be bigger if there is nothing more to add?

As for novelette of 7.5k to 17.5k, I agree with Micah. They might not need more than scene breaks. I'm reading an anthology right now and none has chapters. They all use scene breaks. Some even have two scene breaks in one page. (Just to say that length is irrelevant no matter what.)

There is no rule.

Make your chapters exactly as long as they need to be! :)

C.B. wrote: "There is no rule.

Make your chapters exactly as long as they need to be! :)"

+1

I'm not sure what's recommended but I wouldn't ever cut/add stuff just to make a chapter the "correct" length. If it feels right, it just feels right.

Best of luck, LV!!

Hugs,
Ann

You should use exactly the number of words in a chapter that it takes to get your words told. No more, no less.

Dwayne wrote: "You should use exactly the number of words in a chapter that it takes to get your words told. No more, no less."

Ditto. As pretty much everyone is saying here you write your book, your way!

You decide that the story is short, novelette, novella, novel, and chapters are titled or numbered. If the book comes in parts etc.

You are the master of your creation.

Thanks guys! It's good to know that the general take is follow your instincts and there are no rules as such. :)

Micah wrote: " ... I've seen plenty of novellas with chapters in them. Their length is ... appropriate to the story structure....."

Would you say that the structure mostly depends on genre?
Edit: I don't write to a structure, or decide on a genre first. Sorry, I mean after you've got your draft.

When I am working on a novella, I try to aim for 1,000 words a day. I know this is approximately 3 1/2 pages. if more, fine, if less, I try to relax and see what is stopping the flow. When I have completed the story, I note how many pages/words it is and call it whatever category it falls into. Chapters seem to arrange themselves naturally. A moment in time plus a series of actions denotes the length. I try to think more about the story, and less about the structure.

Thanks Tobie!

I'd just say go with the flow! Let the chapters work themselves out.

I agree with C.B., Tobie and Saul: don't worry overly about the length of your chapters or 'scenes' in a novella. The flow of the story ought to dictate their length, and natural breaks will suggest themselves.

It's really whatever you wish to make it. I put my chapters at the 2,000 to 3,500 word range. As long as you balance them out nicely it'll pose no issue.

Chapter divisions are just another tool writers can use to create the impression that they want in the reader's mind. I tend to think visually, partly because I spent thirteen years in television, and hence I have a lot of "cuts" where we either switch to a different camera angle or a different scene.

Because of this I tend to have lots of short chapters. This seems to work for me but might not work for everyone else.

Like everything chapter length is part of your style. Do what you choose.

In my first novel I had 17 fairly long chapters. In my second, I had 36 shorter chapters. I found the shorter ones easier to work with. As a reader, I get bogged down in really long heavy chapters. I like them shorter.