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Writing Group / Re: Chapter Length
« on: February 19, 2009, 03:09:58 AM »
I also prefer regular length chapters. When I'm reading, I like to be able to plan how many chapters I can read in a sitting before reality interferes. It bothers me to place my bookmark into a book mid-chapter.
I find that I write chapters that are around 3,000-4,000 words long, which is just a little shorter than what most of my short stories come out as.
I have noticed a trend towards shorter chapters in a lot of books. Sometimes it's only the opening and/or final chapters that get shorter. I think psychologically, shorter chapters are less intimidating and may encourage the reader to keep reading.
I have actually stopped reading a book because the chapters were too long. I just felt I couldn't commit the time to read a whole chapter in one sitting so I figured it wasn't worth it to read the book. I actually think I might get annoyed with chapters that take longer than a half-hour for me to read.
I find that I write chapters that are around 3,000-4,000 words long, which is just a little shorter than what most of my short stories come out as.
I have noticed a trend towards shorter chapters in a lot of books. Sometimes it's only the opening and/or final chapters that get shorter. I think psychologically, shorter chapters are less intimidating and may encourage the reader to keep reading.
I have actually stopped reading a book because the chapters were too long. I just felt I couldn't commit the time to read a whole chapter in one sitting so I figured it wasn't worth it to read the book. I actually think I might get annoyed with chapters that take longer than a half-hour for me to read.