Writing How long should a chapter be and which is more preferable?

[WhiteSnake]

Just started writing and I got confused in the middle of it.

When I read most web novels, I found out the different chapter lengths depended on either the author or generally if the plot drove the book/story forward. But now, I'm confused.

- Is there a threshold or specific chapter length that a chapter must contain?
- Which is of these do you prefer? (writing and reading)
* [Long Chapters]
* [Short Chapters]
or just
* [Moderate sized chapters]

 

[Fairemont]

Chapter length is best derived from the content, at least, in my opinion. End it where it is comfortable to end.

I have chapters between 1.5k and 6k words because of this.

They tend to complete a segment or "complete thought" rather than leaving it incomplete. So, I establish what I want to achieve with the chapter and write until that is complete. If it is getting particularly long, I might split it into two with a comfortable intermission. So, in that instance I'd be looking for a check point where the reader won't feel offput by switching chapters (or waiting for the next one).

 

[Xcalibur_Xc]

1.5k - 2k words normal standard: 4-5 chs/week
3k words: 3 chs/week
Above that- long chapters with over 5k words. Those who write that long chapters generally updates once or twice a week.

 

[McPhoenixDavid]

If updates are daily, I'd say at least 1K.

If thrice/four times a week? 2.5K.

Overall, 10K words every week.


Personally, I can't read everyday. So I prefer three or four chapters per week with a total of 10K words.

 

[Crimsonsake]

I'd recommend somewhere between 900-2,500 word chapters. That totally depends on you. If you are capable of writing 2000 words chapter and still be consistent with posting. If not write shorter chapter like 900 to 1200 words. The key things is whether you post consistently or not.

 

[MFontana]

Ultimately it's up to you when you're writing to decide what works for you.

Personally, I tend to opt for longer, deeper, and weighty prose that gets me thinking (as a reader).

As a writer, I tend toward 5500-6500 words per chapter so I can let the story build and breathe, and put in the level of detail and depth that I enjoy.

It works well for me, but isn't for everyone, and the truth is; that's okay. Some will like it, and others won't no matter what you decide to do.

 

[Eldoria]

Shortening the chapter is just one trick to increase visibility. The benefits of shortening the chapter:

1. Makes the chapter easier to read in a concise manner.
2. Speeds up chapter updates.
3. Makes chapters appear more in number. Potential readers are more interested in seeing 100 chapters with 100K words than 30 chapters with 100K words.

Ultimately, it will increase engagement. Although it doesn't necessarily mean the novel will be popular, market factors are more than just the short chapters.

For a new novel, it's best to start with short chapters (700-1000 words) to build visibility. Once your novel has garnered enough engagement, especially hundreds of bookmarks, you can start rewriting older chapters to improve the quality of your content.

 

[Arkus86]

Just started writing and I got confused in the middle of it.

When I read most web novels, I found out the different chapter lengths depended on either the author or generally if the plot drove the book/story forward. But now, I'm confused.

- Is there a threshold or specific chapter length that a chapter must contain?
- Which is of these do you prefer? (writing and reading)
* [Long Chapters]
* [Short Chapters]
or just
* [Moderate sized chapters]

It's a balance of your goals. Apparently shorter, more frequent chapters help you get readers faster. But if you go too short, around 1k words or less, your chapters will suffer, because they will be too short to still be interesting, which might hinder reader retention. Not enough room in one to properly develop the world, story and characters.

 

[WhiteSnake]

It's a balance of your goals. Apparently shorter, more frequent chapters help you get readers faster. But if you go too short, around 1k words or less, your chapters will suffer, because they will be too short to still be interesting, which might hinder reader retention. Not enough room in one to properly develop the world, story and characters.

Does that mean i have to make my chapters longer?

 

[Wenlock]

Potential readers are more interested in seeing 100 chapters with 100K words than 30 chapters with 100K words.

me who has the latter

 

[WhiteSnake]

Shortening the chapter is just one trick to increase visibility. The benefits of shortening the chapter:

1. Makes the chapter easier to read in a concise manner.
2. Speeds up chapter updates.
3. Makes chapters appear more in number. Potential readers are more interested in seeing 100 chapters with 100K words than 30 chapters with 100K words.

Ultimately, it will increase engagement. Although it doesn't necessarily mean the novel will be popular, market factors are more than just the short chapters.

For a new novel, it's best to start with short chapters (700-1000 words) to build visibility. Once your novel has garnered enough engagement, especially hundreds of bookmarks, you can start rewriting older chapters to improve the quality of your content.

Makes sense and my words are 800+ but not up to 1000

Ultimately it's up to you when you're writing to decide what works for you.

Personally, I tend to opt for longer, deeper, and weighty prose that gets me thinking (as a reader).

As a writer, I tend toward 5500-6500 words per chapter so I can let the story build and breathe, and put in the level of detail and depth that I enjoy.

It works well for me, but isn't for everyone, and the truth is; that's okay. Some will like it, and others won't no matter what you decide to do.

that's lengthy and scary (in a funny way)

1.5k - 2k words normal standard: 4-5 chs/week
3k words: 3 chs/week
Above that- long chapters with over 5k words. Those who write that long chapters generally updates once or twice a week.

ultimately, it depends on updates huh??

 

[McPhoenixDavid]

Shortening the chapter is just one trick to increase visibility. The benefits of shortening the chapter:

1. Makes the chapter easier to read in a concise manner.
2. Speeds up chapter updates.
3. Makes chapters appear more in number. Potential readers are more interested in seeing 100 chapters with 100K words than 30 chapters with 100K words.

Ultimately, it will increase engagement. Although it doesn't necessarily mean the novel will be popular, market factors are more than just the short chapters.

For a new novel, it's best to start with short chapters (700-1000 words) to build visibility. Once your novel has garnered enough engagement, especially hundreds of bookmarks, you can start rewriting older chapters to improve the quality of your content.

True. But can't do stuff like this:

Chapter 01:​

Arthur raised his blade, his eyes gleaming with the rage of a thousand microwaves, "You shall hand over the mayonnaise, NOW!"

Chapter End.

Chapter 02:​

Charles raised an eyebrow, his expression screaming 'I had enough,'. "This mayonnaise is expired. Why are you you addicted to expired things? Is that your Zombie Fetish working?"

Chapter End.

Short chapters can't be shorter than an acceptable length. At least 700 words.

 

[JayDirex]

Just started writing and I got confused in the middle of it.

When I read most web novels, I found out the different chapter lengths depended on either the author or generally if the plot drove the book/story forward. But now, I'm confused.

- Is there a threshold or specific chapter length that a chapter must contain?
- Which is of these do you prefer? (writing and reading)
* [Long Chapters]
* [Short Chapters]
or just
* [Moderate sized chapters]

The long chapter writers/readers are a noisy cult. The sweet spot is 1500-2500 words per chapter. it just is.

 

[expentio]

Now I'm feeling bad. I only manage 5k words a week. And that's if I have a decent one.

 

[Eldoria]

me who has the latter

Another trick I've noticed is that you can divide your long chapters into sections (part 1, 2, 3, etc.) without editing the content. The goal is simple: to make your chapters feel more numerous. So readers can read a marathon.

The long chapter writers/readers are a noisy cult. The sweet spot is 1500-2500 words per chapter. it just is.

The chapters I've rewritten average 2,000+ words per chapter. Anything below that makes it difficult to develop ideas and create a cinematic story.

 

[WhiteSnake]

Okay, I just decided to make my chapters around 800 words cause its my first book, and the book will be short cause as a writer (to me) the hardest part of a book is not starting it but getting to finish it, so I'll just make it less than 50 chapters and my words less than 1K (depends though)

 

[Eldoria]

Short chapters can't be shorter than an acceptable length. At least 700 words.

This approach only works for new novels. To build loyalty, you need to improve the quality of your content. Meanwhile, short chapters will degrade the quality of your content. So, simply use the short chapter trick as an initial promotion before writing longer chapters.

 

[OokamiKasumi]

Just started writing and I got confused in the middle of it.

When I read most web novels, I found out the different chapter lengths depended on either the author or generally if the plot drove the book/story forward. But now, I'm confused.

- Is there a threshold or specific chapter length that a chapter must contain?
- Which is of these do you prefer? (writing and reading)
* [Long Chapters]
* [Short Chapters]
or just
* [Moderate sized chapters]

Short chapters (1000 words) are a trend originally caused by Translated novels posted on the 'Net. A trend picked up and perpetuated by amateur writers also posting their stories on the 'Net.

This trend of super short chapters happened because most translators tend to break the chapters into smaller sections for faster posting speed on Pay-To-Read sites -- where More chapters = More $$$. However the full original chapters are anywhere from 2500 words to 5000. This is why translated chapters tend to be listed as: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 -- indicating that chapter 1 has been divided into 3 sections.

Publishing houses tend to prefer 2500 words to 5000 per chapter. However this is ScribbleHub. There is no limit on how short or long you can make your chapters.

Personally though, Short chapters: under 2500 words, annoy the crap out of me.

 

[McPhoenixDavid]

This approach only works for new novels. To build loyalty, you need to improve the quality of your content. Meanwhile, short chapters will degrade the quality of your content. So, simply use the short chapter trick as an initial promotion before writing longer chapters.

...I unintentionally baited you into giving a great advice.

 

[Cookiez_N_Potionz]

At first my chapters were 500-800 and than 1k-2k.