Rules on Chapters

March 30, 2009 9:20am CST
Does anyone know if there are any rules on how many words each chapter should have in a fiction book? I am trying to write my first book and researching all guidelines I can while I am brainstorming for my story plotline. Thank you in advance for any advice :0)
5 responses
• United States
5 Apr 09
Chapters generally come at a break in the action of the story or at a place the author wants to create suspense. If your MC gets a major surprise, a good place to break the chapters is between revealing the surprise and how the character reacts. If there is going to be a few hours or days in the MC's life where nothing really happens, end one chapter on Friday and pick up the next one on Monday (in the story, not in real life...in real life, keep writing until you run out of things to write or time to write it). I just finished reading the first six of the Harry Potter books and am now working on the tenth book in the Dresden Files and the chapter issue is jumping out at me very clearly.... J.K. Rowling tends to make her chapters fairly long (15-20 pages) while Jim Butcher keeps his to 5-10 pages. The best advice is to end a chapter where it feels natural.
11 Apr 09
Thank you - Your advice was very helpful. I love the Harry Potter series and my hubby reads the Dresden books so I may have to read a few of those. Thanks again.
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
There aren't any rules on how many words each chapter has to have (minimum or maximum). I think that the only way people are writing chapters is in order to help the readers mark where they read last - and to give them a sense of accomplishment when they're reading it (ha! 3 chapters down! 11 more to go!). I saw Stephenie Meyer's book and there were several empty chapters (not an original by the way, many previous authors have done it) - just to show how time passed by. Thanks for the response on my discussion!
11 Apr 09
Thank you for your helpful comments. I have also read Stephenie Meyer's books and I know the chapters you mean - Really wish I could have written that Twilight saga :0)
@snowy22315 (168392)
• United States
30 Mar 09
I doubt there are any hard and fast rules. There may be rules according to industry standards, but I dont know what they would be. I think the best thing is to check with potential ppublishers and see if they have any rules that they would like and require as far as their publication goes. It is important to find those things out.
11 Apr 09
Thank you - Thats a good idea :0)
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
30 Mar 09
I don't really think that there are any rules about this. I think that it is more up to your own discretion. Of course, you can always ask other authors for some advice about these types of matters. But I don't think that there are a specific set of rules for this. I guess you can always try to find out, if you really want to know.
11 Apr 09
Thank you
• United States
31 Mar 09
I think it depends on how long your book/story is. Ive seen books with chapters as short as a page or two. Then others like 10 pages long til the next chapter. it all depends on basically how you want your book to be, long or short... but I would try to go for 5 pages to a chapter:) What is your book about? I am also trying to write a book. I have 4 stories in the making..haha but I get bored with them sometimes and end uyp going back to them:) Anyways, add me as a friend if you want as we can give each other ideas and stuff:)
11 Apr 09
Thank you Well I was trying to go for a different kind of story so was thinking of writing about a soldier who has been away to war and then comes home and both he and his family have to try and adjust to having him home again. I have requested you as a friend also :0)