What is a chapter comprised of? Is it similar to a plot line, only compressed into a neat little package? Is there some sort of formula for a chapter, certain elements and aspects which have to be present or should you judge it on gut feeling?
What are your thoughts on it?
When I wrote my first book I didn't give it much thought but readers told me my enormously over-long chapters were quite episodic. When I tried to cut them up I realised each one had a shape to it and they didn't slice well. I think I naturally knew what to put in a chapter but didn't think about how long it should be to be commercially viable. I think you should let the chapters flow any way they want to, but don't let them become unwieldy.
Mark, feel free to do so.
Hmm, nice answer apart from the dramatic start and end... great in a thriller or suchlike, but never at the expense of the story line. I may just print your answer out though to remind me as I write my next novel.