Just a question about chapter length...

[Deleted member 54065]

Well, I'd like to know your opinion on this.

See, my chapters (main) are around 4k-6k on average (especially the first volumes, the subsequent ones are around 4k-4.5k). Now, I got some comments that suggest I cut up my chapters to around 1k-2k length. However, my problem is, I already published the books (on other sites).

Yes, I'm aware of the fact that some readers can only read up to 1k-2k words per chapter (since they are busy, etc.). No probs with that; I understand the rush.

What I'd like to know is, should I edit the published chapters? Or I create a new upload (and append the words 'Web Version' on it)? What's your take on this (Edit existing, or complete reupload)?

Edit: Added the polls after I came home.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Your chapters should be as long as you want them to be.

 

[CheertheDead]

The only reason why u should cut your chapter to 1-2k is to inflate the view of your novel.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Your chapters should be as long as you want them to be.

I agree on this. There are moments in my work that is 'amplified' by the way I end my chapter.

The only reason why u should cut your chapter to 1-2k is to inflate the view of your novel.

I see, huh...well, as I'm not after the views, I guess I'm doing pretty well with my chapter length then. ?

 

[LordJoyde]

For the sake of keeping reader attention, 2.5k is already pushing it hard for the average reader. Those who read more and up to 4k or 6k per chapter are your fellow writers.

 

[CheertheDead]

I see, huh...well, as I'm not after the views, I guess I'm doing pretty well with my chapter length then. ?

As people usually say, the chapter length is for the author to decide. Each author has a length they are comfortable with. If you can make a chapter with a consistent length, there is no reason for u to change.

For the sake of keeping reader attention, 2.5k is already pushing it hard for the average reader. Those who read more and up to 4k or 6k per chapter are your fellow writers.

I am not sure but novel chapter like that of Overlord can be 40k in length.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

For the sake of keeping reader attention, 2.5k is already pushing it hard for the average reader. Those who read more and up to 4k or 6k per chapter are your fellow writers.

So what do you think? If ever I decide to cut up my chapters, should I reupload the entire books (under a 'Web Version') or edit the existing chapters (and reup the resulting 'excess' chapters)?

 

[Jemini]

The average physical media novel chapter is around 8K words. The average Japanese lite novel or web novel trends toward the same number.

The average English-language original webnovel chapters are around 2K words.

After reading a lot of English-language novels, I have noticed a trend in which I have grown used to this length and my head feels more exhausted when I go back to reading Japanese translated chapters which trend longer. So, there is some negative impact to reader enjoyment when the chapters are longer. Finishing a chapter tends to give a bit of a dopamine hit, which compels them on to keep reading. However, you can't make it too frequent. English language writers seem to have almost perfected the balance on this little issue, and that perfect window is somewhere right around 2K words, plus or minus 500.

EDIT: Then again, some of that is also conditioning. Readers are conditioned by the trends to expect certain chapter lengths which influences the way their brains react to it being outside of that window. The 2K word average is just what the English language webnovel market has conditioned readers into, so you will get a less favorable reaction from the readers if you are outside of that in either direction.

 

[tiaf]

Short chapters are convenient for busy people. I for one can’t sit down to read 4k or 6k at any time I want. I had several occasions when I was interrupted multiple times to read just one 4k chapter. I’m also someone who gets irritated and fed up if it happens too often.

1-2k chapters are bite size I can chew in my short breaks at work. I also don’t feel stressed to finish the chapter if they are short, because it’s manageable.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

The average physical media novel chapter is around 8K words. The average Japanese lite novel or web novel trends toward the same number.

The average English-language original webnovel chapters are around 2K words.

After reading a lot of English-language novels, I have noticed a trend in which I have grown used to this length and my head feels more exhausted when I go back to reading Japanese translated chapters which trend longer. So, there is some negative impact to reader enjoyment when the chapters are longer. Finishing a chapter tends to give a bit of a dopamine hit, which compells them on to keep reading. However, you can't make it too frequent. English language writers seem to have almost perfected the balance on this little issue, and that perfect window is somewhere right around 2K words, plus or minus 500.

So what do you think? If ever I decide to cut up my chapters, should I reupload the entire books under a 'Web Novel Version' tag, or edit the existing ones, and reup the 'excess' chapters.

I mean, yes, I'm aware of some readers' limits on chapter length, but my question is relative to that fact.

Short chapters are convenient for busy people. I for one can’t sit down to read 4k or 6k at any time I want. I had several occasions when I was interrupted multiple times to read just one 4k chapter. I’m also someone who gets irritated and fed up if it happens too often.

1-2k chapters are bite size I can chew in my short breaks at work. I also don’t feel stressed to finish the chapter if they are short, because it’s manageable.

Again, my question is, 'If ever I cut up the chapters, should I reup the entire books (under a Web Version tag) or edit the existing ones and reup the resulting excess?'

That's the opinion I'd like to know. Thanks guys! ?

 

[tiaf]

So what do you think? If ever I decide to cut up my chapters, should I reupload the entire books under a 'Web Novel Version' tag, or edit the existing ones, and reup the 'excess' chapters.

I mean, yes, I'm aware of some readers' limits on chapter length, but my question is relative to that fact.

Again, my question is, 'If ever I cut up the chapters, should I reup the entire books (under a Web Version tag) or edit the existing ones and reup the resulting excess?

Oops, I forgot the second part. Web version to avoid confusion. Those who like short chapters can go there.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Oops, I forgot the second part. Web version to avoid confusion. Those who like short chapters can go there.

Oooh! Thanks for the answer! ?

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Why do that? If you write your chapters to be 4-6k words, I don't think cutting them up would do your chapter structure any good. Unless you want to rewrite every chapter/don't care about quality much/have a very modular chapter structure, there is no reason I see you'd want to cut them, even if your readers suggest you do.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Why do that? If you write your chapters to be 4-6k words, I don't think cutting them up would do your chapter structure any good. Unless you want to rewrite every chapter/don't care about quality much/have a very modular chapter structure, there is no reason I see you'd want to cut them, even if your readers suggest you do.

Hmm...you got a point. I mean, I really made it like that.

But just in case, what's your opinion if ever I decide to cut it up? Complete reupload, or edit the existing chapters?

 

[IDKWtWrite-San]

In my opinion, you should do what you truly do and not cut them since it's already your fundamentals or atleast your requirement in a "chapter". Some cases, reader tend to just scroll down a bit faster neglecting some word and stop in a conversation line or an important detail of the story you wrote.

That's what I think the reason why some of your reader are saying that you should cut them like a part 1 or 2 for some reason since they prefer a short like 1 to 2k words i think

 

[Deleted member 54065]

In my opinion, you should do what you truly do and not cut them since it's already your fundamentals or atleast your requirement in a "chapter". Some cases, reader tend to just scroll down a bit faster neglecting some word and stop in a conversation line or an important detail of the story you wrote.

That's what I think the reason why some of your reader are saying that you should cut them like a part 1 or 2 for some reason since they prefer a short like 1 to 2k words i think

I see...thanks for your perspective. Yeah, my original intent for that work is that it's a 'slow burner', something that you read as you de-stress or rest, and not 'on-the-go'.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I don't understand why do you want to split your chapters if you aren't after views. It would be much better to spend this time writing\planning\editing new volume(s).

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I don't understand why do you want to split your chapters if you aren't after views. It would be much better to spend this time writing\planning\editing new volume(s).

Well, while I'm not after the views, I'm concerned on how my novel is with regards to most of my new readers. You know, if most of them could go through the 4k-6k chaps. (I only received those kinds of comments recently, see?)

It's just a matter of taking care of, and listening to, my audience. They are dynamic.

It would be much better to spend this time writing\planning\editing new volume(s).

Also, I'm currently writing my volume 12, and I'm on a break. That's why I'm able to do this.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

I think a chapter should accomplish moving the story forward, some can do it in less words, but if you split you chapters down the middle it may not be as satisfying to read. I haven’t done much creative writing, but I’ve written a lot of D&D campaigns and there is a similar concept where instead of getting exp for killing monsters, the players will get a new level once a new goal in the story has been accomplished.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Well, while I'm not after the views, I'm concerned on how my novel is with regards to most of my new readers. You know, if most of them could go through the 4k-6k chaps.

Then I would probably choose to reupload the entire book. I don't think it's that easy to naturally cut chapters in two. It would be a lot more work to make it a smooth transition, and perhaps you would even need to rewrite the chapters. That's what happened to me when I thought of splitting my prologue. As you ask for opinions, I think you should make a separate version of your novel and tweak it a bit to fit the 2k words standard.