With just a month to go before I finish what I expect will be the last draft of my novel, I’m starting to think about where to put my chapter breaks.
My Story
Then story I’m telling on is pretty straight forward. The time period of the story is about two weeks in the lives of the characters. I don’t jump around. I don’t change locations or eras. I don’t have a prologue or epilogue. I’ve written it from start to finish, saying everything I want to say in (what will hopefully be) about 80,000 words. I have always intended to put in chapter breaks, but just haven’t really gotten around to it.
Next month, when I hand it over to a few trusted readers for feedback, I want the experience of reading it to be as novel-like as possible. So I plan to insert the chapter breaks before I send it out. I’m just not sure where to put them.
Chapter Breaks
I’ve done a bit of research. Writer’s Digest suggests inserting chapter breaks either when you shift the story in time or location, or in the middle of an action scene – to create a cliffhanger and keep people turning the pages.
This guy agrees with that. He adds that chapters should be in the range of 20 pages, with 50 pages being the longest you really want to go. He also says to use your instincts and check your work, which makes sense to me.
In looking at books that I’ve referenced many times while working on my novel (White Oleander
My Chapter Breaks
My story starts off with an argument at a funeral. When I’m done polishing it, I hope it will stand up as a kick-ass first chapter.
Throughout the story, I have scenes with good tension, where it might be good to use the cliffhanger theory, but even if my story was an action-packed murder mystery, ending every chapter that way seems repetitive.
Though I don’t have any big shifts in time or place, the story does allow for breaks between scenes. I think what I will do is print out my draft and look for places every 15-30 pages that might make good chapter breaks. The only reason I’m even worried about it is that I want the novel to feel balanced.
What I don’t want is ten three-page chapters followed by a forty page chapter, then a 20 page chapter and so on. I want it to feel masterful. Scratch that. I want it to be masterful. I’m no master novelist yet, but to me, these details are the equivalent of dressing for the job you want. A master novelist would get this detail right, and so I will strive for mastery and work to get my chapter breaks in places that work.
Do you have a go-to method for placing chapter breaks? If so, lay it on me. I’d love to hear it.
I tend to agree with Vicky R—spare yourself considerable heartache (and time) by inserting your chapter breaks as you write. (From the start.)
Whether you’re a pantser, of plotter, or a mix.
It all depends who you quote or reference—e.g. chapters all equal length.
Short chapters—with suspense, thrillers, adding to the rapid flow and drama.
Varying length chapters—have a look at Khaled Hosseini’s three novels. He often uses varying length chapters.
Where to place the break? Sure … at scene breaks
Three scenes then a break?
That depends. How long are the scenes?
Whatever you do, don’t break the tension (entirely.) You want them to turn the page, and the next, and the next…
The more one write and the wider one is published, the more one can break the basic rules it seems.
Thanks Danie,
Sadly, it’s way too late for me to insert the breaks before I start (man, if I had a dollar for everything I’ve learned writing my first novel…) But as I look at my next project, I definitely plan ahead for how and where I want my story to break.
Did you do any type of plotting or outlining before you started writing? This can be a great help in determining chapter breaks…even more important though are scene breaks. Whether you’re changing POV, moving to another location etc…most chapters can stand to be broken up into multiple scenes. I use a three act structure overall, but i concentrate on building blocks…each paragraph leads to the next paragraph, each scene leads to the next scene. Then the chapters take care of themselves. Happy writing!
Hi, Vicki,
I’ll have to chalk this one up as another reason that I will never write another novel without an outline. Your advice makes a lot of sense, but I just didn’t go into this one with so much organization in mind. Also, this story is one POV, very few locations. I suppose I should use the chapter breaks to bring a cadence to the whole thing. Thank you for the tip!
I aim around 2000 words, give or take. I know as a reader I don’t like long chapters. I want a spot to put my book down. Having said that I try end on a spot that encourages further reading. That’s my personal preference. Go with your gut and instinct.
My gut wants it to be one long chapter. Ug… Nobody wants to read one, 350-page chapter. Thanks for the advice. I had to make a bunch of edits on my last pass, so now I’m having to decide all over again where to put the breaks. 2000 words seems like a good place to start.
I write Young Adult, so I tend to keep my chapters between 10 and 20 pages each. In a world where there’s so many other things competing for a reader’s attention, long chapters can be a little off-putting. I vary chapter breaks: changing scenery and time at the beginning, cliff-hangers as we move towards the climax, and whatever feels right as I edit. I try not to repeat the same type of ending, though sometimes a good … works wonders to spark interest in a subplot.
At some point one should stop reading advice and start going with what feels right. As a writer you’re a voracious reader, which means you already know what works and what doesn’t (even if it’s only in your subconscious). Trust your instincts. Happy writing 🙂
I agree, long chapters can feel off-putting. I’m not writing YA, but I feel like I tend to enjoy books with more succinct chapters, so that’s what I’m going with. Ultimately, you’re right, I have to go with my instincts. Cheers!