Is 5k words too much for the first chapter?

[Esden-Noir]

So basically, I'm planning on releasing a new novel which I've been writing recently. (it's named iterate and I've linked the poster below) but my question here is. The first chapter turned out to be 6,788words long. I've tried trimming it or shortening it some aspects, which made it Haruka’s smirk turned ice-cold. “I know exactly what will make sure you never come near any of us again.”5,419words long. I can't shorten it further because every part of the chapter is necessary. So should I post it Or do people not like reading long chapters?

 

[Fairemont]

5k is a longer chapter for most web serials and such. However, it shouldn't be an issue with anyone other than the pickiest readers.

 

[Esden-Noir]

5k is a longer chapter for most web serials and such. However, it shouldn't be an issue with anyone other than the pickiest readers.

Thank you for your input. But what about you? Would you read a chapter that long if presented?

 

[Fairemont]

Read it? I write chapters that long. Or longer...

 

[ElijahRyne]

So basically, I'm planning on releasing a new novel which I've been writing recently. (it's named iterate and I've linked the poster below) but my question here is. The first chapter turned out to be 6,788words long. I've tried trimming it or shortening it some aspects, which made it Haruka’s smirk turned ice-cold. “I know exactly what will make sure you never come near any of us again.”5,419words long. I can't shorten it further because every part of the chapter is necessary. So should I post it Or do people not like reading long chapters? View attachment 46835

No not too long.

 

[K.A.A.Ptaszek]

5k words may seem a bit long for a web novel but tbh it's pretty normal for a novel to have chapters like that. So I guess it shouldn't be a problem. I think though, that you could make it that way: Chapter 1 - Prologue (I), Chapter 2 - Prologue (II) or sth like that ^^

 

[Th3Breadnought]

Hardly prominent myself, so take it with a grain of salt: but I reject arbitrary rules like "chapters should have x number of words" or anything else where the key argument boils down to "it's simply not done/this is how it's always been done". I'll read a 10,000 word chapter if it's good. I'm not sitting thinking "this is too much good content at once, less please".

 

[Jaymi]

A chapter should take as long as it needs for it to tell everything you want it to tell

 

[MajorKerina]

That's a lot to ask of a reader at the beginning most recommend to have like a little introduction or prologue before hitting someone with something deep like that it can absolutely work but it's definitely a lot to ask of a first time reader

 

[Esden-Noir]

Hardly prominent myself, so take it with a grain of salt: but I reject arbitrary rules like "chapters should have x number of words" or anything else where the key argument boils down to "it's simply not done/this is how it's always been done". I'll read a 10,000 word chapter if it's good. I'm not sitting thinking "this is too much good content at once, less please".

I agree, if it hasn't been done... Well it actually was very famous back in the day to have a long first chapter so I guess it'll work out

That's a lot to ask of a reader at the beginning most recommend to have like a little introduction or prologue before hitting someone with something deep like that it can absolutely work but it's definitely a lot to ask of a first time reader

True. But I'd say, an epilogue or Prologue isn't necessary if the first chapter does it's job of explaining without breaking immersion

Read it? I write chapters that long. Or longer...

Well I might fall into the same boat soon enough

 

[JordanIda]

No.

 

[Anonjohn20]

So basically, I'm planning on releasing a new novel which I've been writing recently. (it's named iterate and I've linked the poster below) but my question here is. The first chapter turned out to be 6,788words long. I've tried trimming it or shortening it some aspects, which made it Haruka’s smirk turned ice-cold. “I know exactly what will make sure you never come near any of us again.”5,419words long. I can't shorten it further because every part of the chapter is necessary. So should I post it Or do people not like reading long chapters?

If every chapter was that long you'd see people drop the story. However, I don't really see the problem with a longer opening chapter.

 

[Esden-Noir]

No.

Well you were straight to the point

If every chapter was that long you'd see people drop the story. However, I don't really see the problem with a longer opening chapter.

I see. Well I'm in the clear then, from chapter 2 the story becomes shorter chapters

 

[PancakesWitch]

The most famous web novels have chapters of over 10k words.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with long chapters.
What's wrong is filler in chapters, things that dont matter, adding too many details.
There's a difference between a 10k word chapter where 70% of it are useless details and only 30% is something happening than a 10k word chapter where 100% of it is action and important plot progression.
Most readers will only check the first chapter before dropping a story, so giving them a first chapter packed with everything the novel offer is essential, you cannot rely on writing a 1k words first chapter and barely do anything and think people are going to follow through it.

 

[FRWriter]

Split it down the middle. No questions asked.

 

[Makimaam]

When I’m reading a story I enjoy, I can get through a 10k+ word chapter in one go. But strategically, it’s usually better to split chapters into 2–2.5k words. That way you can update more frequently, build reader anticipation and keep the momentum going. More uploads, more visibility.

 

[JordanIda]

Well you were straight to the point

Fine then, I'll elaborate (sigh).

Ignore the length.

Do you end a letter to your mom mid-sentence, because you're at the bottom of the page and you planned ahead to write a one page letter? No. You flip the paper over and continue. Your letter's as long as it needs to be, to say what you need to say to Dearest Darlingest Momma. Right?

It's the same with every component of a story. From sentences on up.

Each paragraph completes a thought or action.

Each scene gathers thoughts and actions (paragraphs) into a unit that effectively conveys a coherent idea.

Each chapter orders and combines coherent ideas (scenes) to move the story on its critical path and ends at a milestone or crux that is recognizable to the reader as meaningful forward progress.

Chapters combine to tell the overall story, in such a way that each chapter contributes salient progress toward the story's end.

Nowhere does length enter into any of it. A scene is long enough to do its job. Same with chapters. Same with the book itself. It sounds like a simple thing. But if a scene fails to convey some meaningful idea, the reader will know it. If a chapter fails to reach some milestone or crux that is meangful to the overall plot-- if it ends simply because it's deemed long enough-- the reader will know this, too. Effective scenes are complete stories within chapters. Effective chapters are complete stories within the book. And an effective book begins, develops, and ends.

 

[Esden-Noir]

Fine then, I'll elaborate (sigh).

Ignore the length.

Do you end a letter to your mom mid-sentence, because you're at the bottom of the page and you planned ahead to write a one page letter? No. You flip the paper over and continue. Your letter's as long as it needs to be, to say what you need to say to Dearest Darlingest Momma. Right?

It's the same with every component of a story. From sentences on up.

Each paragraph completes a thought or action.

Each scene gathers thoughts and actions (paragraphs) into a unit that effectively conveys a coherent idea.

Each chapter orders and combines coherent ideas (scenes) to move the story on its critical path and ends at a milestone or crux that is recognizable to the reader as meaningful forward progress.

Chapters combine to tell the overall story, in such a way that each chapter contributes salient progress toward the story's end.

Nowhere does length enter into any of it. A scene is long enough to do its job. Same with chapters. Same with the book itself. It sounds like a simple thing. But if a scene fails to convey some meaningful idea, the reader will know it. If a chapter fails to reach some milestone or crux that is meangful to the overall plot-- if it ends simply because it's deemed long enough-- the reader will know this, too. Effective scenes are complete stories within chapters. Effective chapters are complete stories within the book. And an effective book begins, develops, and ends.

I agree with this one, and true my ideology is the same. Hence the chapters length in the first place🫡

 

[Author_Riceball]

6,7

Funny sex number

 

[KennyCelican]

Read it? I write chapters that long. Or longer...

I read this and thought about the Diary, where the shortest chapter is just over eight hundred words... And the longest one is over twelve thousand.

But overall it's more important that the chapter grabs the reader's attention and pulls them along than how long it is.