Chapter organization and length - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T05:40:28Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:95890?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A96119&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi, Donna:
Thank you for this…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-12-04:537324:Comment:1003942007-12-04T02:29:28.903ZEric Eckerthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/EricEckert
Hi, Donna:<br />
Thank you for this advice. I've been looking through various books to see what chapter lengths I like, and I believe you're right -- shorter chapters are the way to go. However, there's also a psychological bind when you think you have to read 50 chapters!! :-) I look forward to checking out your web site.<br />
Many thanks,<br />
Eric
Hi, Donna:<br />
Thank you for this advice. I've been looking through various books to see what chapter lengths I like, and I believe you're right -- shorter chapters are the way to go. However, there's also a psychological bind when you think you have to read 50 chapters!! :-) I look forward to checking out your web site.<br />
Many thanks,<br />
Eric Hi, Eric,
There are no hard a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-12-02:537324:Comment:998912007-12-02T20:58:37.388ZDonna Carrickhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Hi, Eric,<br />
There are no hard and fast rules regarding chapter length, but a good rhythm , where most chapters flow in an anticipated length, does make reading more enjoyable for most people. The current popular style seems to be short chapters where action flows visually from scene to scene. I think this fits with most people's lifestyles, never wanting to put a book down in the middle of a chapter, but not having enough time to commit to reading a long chapter in one sitting.<br />
I shortened my…
Hi, Eric,<br />
There are no hard and fast rules regarding chapter length, but a good rhythm , where most chapters flow in an anticipated length, does make reading more enjoyable for most people. The current popular style seems to be short chapters where action flows visually from scene to scene. I think this fits with most people's lifestyles, never wanting to put a book down in the middle of a chapter, but not having enough time to commit to reading a long chapter in one sitting.<br />
I shortened my overall chapter length for my latest manuscript, and I firmly believe, as do my first readers, that it makes for a more compulsive read.<br />
<br />
Best of Luck!<br />
Donna Carrick<br />
<a href="http://www.donnacarrick.com">www.donnacarrick.com</a> Yeah, it was difficult. I fou…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-23:537324:Comment:962382007-11-23T00:14:18.613ZEric Eckerthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/EricEckert
Yeah, it was difficult. I found out pretty fast that it wasn't going to work. I like the idea, though.
Yeah, it was difficult. I found out pretty fast that it wasn't going to work. I like the idea, though. Very clever! Sounds difficult…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:962032007-11-22T21:41:24.744ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Very clever! Sounds difficult, though. The titles would have to fit the content, no?
Very clever! Sounds difficult, though. The titles would have to fit the content, no? Since my protagonist is a rep…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961952007-11-22T19:45:49.488ZEric Eckerthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/EricEckert
Since my protagonist is a reporter, I started off with headlines as chapter titles.
Since my protagonist is a reporter, I started off with headlines as chapter titles. Nothing at all new about givi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961832007-11-22T19:00:27.571ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Nothing at all new about giving chapters titles. I've been doing it for years.<br />
<br />
Back in the days when novels started, they gave them short synopses. See DON QUIXOTE and the 18th century British novels. Good titles can create curiosity and develop themes.
Nothing at all new about giving chapters titles. I've been doing it for years.<br />
<br />
Back in the days when novels started, they gave them short synopses. See DON QUIXOTE and the 18th century British novels. Good titles can create curiosity and develop themes. Sounds like a good idea. Chap…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961782007-11-22T18:26:19.208ZJohn McFetridgehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
Sounds like a good idea. Chapter breaks often seem quite arbitrary.<br />
<br />
What do you think about something like Al Guthrie did with <i>Hard Man</i>, giving each chapter a title (a movie title, but still, a title) instead of a number?
Sounds like a good idea. Chapter breaks often seem quite arbitrary.<br />
<br />
What do you think about something like Al Guthrie did with <i>Hard Man</i>, giving each chapter a title (a movie title, but still, a title) instead of a number? Excellent point. In my newer…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961622007-11-22T17:54:37.120Zterry bowmanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/foolesgold
Excellent point. In my newer work I'm giving chapters the heave ho altogether. I still don't know if it'll take, but the idea is enticing.
Excellent point. In my newer work I'm giving chapters the heave ho altogether. I still don't know if it'll take, but the idea is enticing. You might want to consider lo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961592007-11-22T17:50:24.488ZStephen Blackmoorehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/sblackmoore
You might want to consider looking at it from the perspective of scenes rather than chapters, since those are really the building blocks you're going to be working with. You can decide later how you want to cluster them into chapters.
You might want to consider looking at it from the perspective of scenes rather than chapters, since those are really the building blocks you're going to be working with. You can decide later how you want to cluster them into chapters. Terry: Thank you for the advi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-22:537324:Comment:961192007-11-22T15:12:16.543ZEric Eckerthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/EricEckert
Terry: Thank you for the advice. I've pretty much decided to get it all down first (like you say), divide where it seems natural, and just keep testing it as I go. I truly appreciate all of the comments to my question. Thanks again!
Terry: Thank you for the advice. I've pretty much decided to get it all down first (like you say), divide where it seems natural, and just keep testing it as I go. I truly appreciate all of the comments to my question. Thanks again!