I am writing the first chapter of a potential novel.
Unfortunately it seems most awfully finished, but quite short still. I will of course go back and touch up on it. But it is only 2 pages and 3 lines long. How does one extend their writing?
I am writing the first chapter of a potential novel.
Unfortunately it seems most awfully finished, but quite short still. I will of course go back and touch up on it. But it is only 2 pages and 3 lines long. How does one extend their writing?
Thanks Adrian, I do think some other chapters may be longer, but this just seems like a short chapter anyway. And, same for Derek - this chapter at least has a pretty natural ending, and some future ones will probably as well!
Thanks guys!
Your chapter ends when your story moves on to a different stage, such as a different time, a different venue or moves towards different characters.
Imagine it as a play, when the curtain drops for a change of scenery, that is the end of a chapter.
Hi Andrew.
Do not worry about chapter legth.
Half a page to 12 pages is fine for chapter length.
Sharon Creech's chapters are short. They vary from half a page to five or six pages.
Long chapters cover more than one incident or waffle on unnecessarily A clue to more than one incident is a long chapter title.
Most contemporary chapter titles are short. There are exceptions, but most chapter titles are one or two words.The chapter title should act as a sIgnpost as to what the chapter is about.
A chapter should be a self-contained watertight episode, with one dramtaic incident ending with a hook or cliffhanger. As a general rule, chapters should link with preceding and following chapters. In the following chapters, issues raised in previous chapters, dramatic events, cliffhangers or hooks, should be resolved.
I hope that helps.