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I found this question particularly interesting because I hadn't thought much about the connection between decreasing attention spans and chapter length, but I do think the two are somewhat related.
Like many things in the writing world, I think the answer to the question largely depends. You see, I don't believe that there's a magic one-size-fits-all chapter length that works in every situation. In a sense, chapters are like paragraphs in that their length depends largely on their content.
Yes, decreasing attention spans are an issue, but I think they're less correlated to the physical length of the chapter and more to the writing itself—most readers, I imagine, would have little problem reading a thirty-page chapter as long as the writing keeps them interested. On the other hand, a five-page chapter could be unbearable if the story is boring and the writing simply doesn't grab the reader.
In my experience, at least, I've found that chapter length is often influenced by the style and tone of the book—some books are filled with fifty+ short 2-10 page chapters, while others are divided into significantly larger (and fewer) sections. Furthermore, I suspect that average chapter length is also probably affected by genre, although I unfortunately wasn't about to find any statistics on that online (although if you find any, please feel free to leave me a link in the comments).
So what does this mean for writers?
While working on your story, I would worry less about chapter length and more about keeping the chapters interesting. Chapter length tends to come somewhat intuitively to writers—we often have a good idea as to when it's time to start a new chapter, and when we get it wrong, there's always editing. If your story calls for longer chapters with many sections within the chapters, then so be it. Short attention spans don't matter as long as you keep the reader interested.
Those are my thoughts, but now I want to hear from you: do you think long chapters are becoming less desirable over time? How do you decide how long to make your chapters?
34 comments:
Interesting response, Ava. Thank you.
You're right about the quality of the writing affecting whether someone will continue reading or cast the book aside. Some books, even those with very long chapters, I wished could have kept going because the scenes were so captivating. I don't know why, but the scene featuring Shelob in the Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers comes to mind.In my own writing, I am trying to cut the fat from my own chapters to keep the pacing strong. Until now they kind of dragged along with a lot of filler words and so on. My twin post is here at virtuefiction: http://t.co/kwYB0goe
Totally agree with you, Ava. I can't imagine a sillier metric to fuss over. If you keep your work interesting, no one will worry about the chapter length. So how do you stay interesting? Probably the best thing any writer can do is to have a model of a book they want to imitate: http://bit.ly/GYEJiU
As a reader, I do prefer shorter chapters. I don't think I have a particularly short attention span, I honestly just find them more convenient. I'd sit and read for hours at a time if I could, but I tend to read in shorter bursts. I hate getting to the end of a chapter and wanting to continue, but having to flick through and count the pages only to find that I don't have time for another chapter. I'd rather read the same number of pages in shorter chapters, because I can't bring myself to start a chapter and not finish it in one sitting. For me, shorter chapters just suit my reading habits better.
What an interesting question. Since I write MG, my chapters are shorter. As a reader, though, I also like shorter chapters because I use them as breaking points. For example, I was reading a book last night and thought, I'll just read to the end of this chapter before bed. The chapter was 40 pages!
However, e-books are a different animal. I don't do the same thing with them because I don't have a way to see how long the chapter is, so I'm more likely to stop in the middle of one if I'm really tired or have something else I know I need to do. I'm more likely to push the limits on finishing a chapter in a paperback than an e-book.
I've noticed that recent books are having shorter and shorter chapters. I don't mind long chapters, or long scenes, but I'm probably in the minority. :-P And because I like to read them, I also tend to write them. Working on making shorter scenes.
It may have to do with shorter attention spans in today's culture, but I agree that if a scene's content, pacing, storytelling ,etc, captures a reader's attention, they will typically keep reading.
My chapters are easily 30-50 pages long, but each chapter has 4-6 scenes in it, complete with scene breaks. My current WIP just seemed to lend itself to that format, because my chapters are like broad subject headings for each collection of scenes. (Isn't that what a "chapter" really should be, anyway, for the most part)?
Thanks as always, Ava, for giving your readers an intriguing subject to think about. :)
Hey Ava,
I've seen the research again and again on increasing interest in shorter ebooks, published more frequently; but I hadn't carried that through to consider how it would affect chapter length.
Overall, as a reader I do prefer shorter chapters, but I think it's still important to make sure each chapter has its own unique arc to carry the reader forward and push them into the next chapter.
I think it totally depends on the book. I can easily read a engrossing book (of any length) with long chapters or a book with short, sharp chapters. I've got a children's WIP with about eighteen chapters all ten to fifteen pages, but my shorter e-novel has forty chapters some as short as half a page, some at three or four pages...the e-book and its subject lends itself to a quicker read and the shorter chapters are more striking.
Sometimes you just cater to a different reader, I know readers who will only choose short books, a 'brick' (as some large books were termed a little while ago when Rowling brought out 'Goblet of Fire') can have some readers running a mile! While others adore curling up with a tome.
Everyone's different, I haven't noticed a particular trend either way, but as long as everyone is catered for, does it matter?
Interesting post Ava.
I have to vote for variety here. I'll be honest, I like short books with short chapters of slam-bang action that I can plow through in a day. However, I also like long books that I can disappear into for weeks, with lengthy chapters that take their time and build a world. I don't want to have to choose, and I especially don't want to have to choose because other people's attention spans are supposedly shortening!
I think as long as a chapter is full of scenes that accomplish something and move the narrative forward, length doesn't really matter that much.
Firstly, thanks for the post suggestion! It was a good question, and certainly something worth discussing.
I like what you said about wanting to read through long chapters--the example you cited is exactly what I meant about chapter length becoming less important when the story delivers.
Also, I'll definitely have to check out your post. Thanks for the link!
That's an interesting point, Lesley. I think on-the-go reading has taught me to read however much I can squeeze in, even if that means stopping in mid-chapter (which frequently, it does). I completely understand what you mean about wanting to complete a chapter in a sitting, however. I have on many occasions (especially with print books) skimmed through a chapter to see if I thought I could read it quickly. If the chapter was too long, I'd often choose to put it aside for later on rather than stopping in the middle.
I hadn't really thought about the different between print and e-book reading habits, but I've found that e-books have definitely made it easier to stop in mid-chapter. For one, as you mentioned, I often don't know how long the chapter is going to be (because while I can check, it's a little annoying to have to flip through all those pages, just to flip back) and the other factor is I don't have to worry about bookmarking--if I have to suddenly stop reading I can turn off my e-reader and toss it quickly into my bag.
I absolutely see the merits of short chapters and I tend to enjoy them myself, both while writing and reading. As long as the story is captivating, however, I don't really worry much about the chapter length.
As an avid reader with ADHD, I have to say that I don't think attention span and chapter length should have very much consideration. On average, I am going to stop reading and get distracted every 5 minutes. When I read, I don't pay attention to where I'm at in a chapter unless it is particularly exciting. On top of all that, I stop when I want to; I don't feel a need to go to the end of the chapter. Those who enjoy reading will get through it either way and enjoy it. Those of us with the short attentions spans probably won't even notice the difference between a 20 page chapter or a 60 page one, to be honest. Were not going to finish either in one shot anyways so whats the difference? Maybe that's just me though.
This is a great topic! For me, I think chapter length should vary based on content. If you have an involved, emotional scene, do you want to cause a break in the momentum and draw the reader out in order to announce the next chapter? Conversely, sometimes authors chop up a long chapter into so many unrelated segments that I wish they'd just started a new chapter.
Sarah
I could say a lot on this topic, and I will if my iPad doesn't forget my sign in and I lose everything I write again. So here goes.
My first novel had chapters that were generally around 3,000 words, which is pretty long. My second novel has much shorter chapters, and I think this suits the book. It's a fast paced comedy, so to keep each chapter short and snappy is good for me as a writer, else the scenes get to boring and more lame jokes start to appear. I don't give it too much consideration but I think I prefer shorter chapters. I don't think of the audience when I make them, but maybe I should.
Consider how I read: usually just before bed. So I never read a lot in one go and I want short chapters. Not because I have a short attention span but because I want to sleep quickly. It's also incidentally why I take so long to read a book and read even less than you a year. So I hate long chapters. Usually when I decide "I'll just read one more before I sleep" it turns out to be a long chapter and I
Groan and begrudgingly read it. This is why I don't get the term 'unputdownable' or 'page turner' because I will ALWAYS just stop reading when I a tired. The more exciting the section the better as I will go to sleep thinking about it and look forward to the next day's reading. So that's how I write. My stories are short exciting bursts designed to be read in nuggets. So I never want to make chapters too long. Ad I don't think I could ever write a book that didn't have chapters! I don't know where I would stop reading.
I definitely think this is more of an issue for Young Adult books, which do call for shorter chapters. What happens at the end of a chapter is really the key: something has to happen by it's end if nothing has already. That's what keeps me (at least) as a reader reading, I want to know what that something is. But whether chapters are long or not, I do think readers deserve breaks. If the plot calls to be collected into parts or "large chapters," I would still recommend breaking them down into bite-sized pieces, or at least those where you can see an end within a few pages. Good thoughts, Ava!
As a Reader, I like chapters to stay below about 20 pages - a nice readable snippet if I don't have much time. (I'm not a fast reader!)
As a writer, I have fallen into a pattern of aiming for about 3-4K words per chapter, but the most important thing is breaking the chapter at a moment guaranteed to make the reader want to turn the page, or long to return to my book.
It's interesting, because chapters vary from just one scene (or even shorter) to a grouping of many scenes. While I have a tendency of writing shorter chapters, I've found that as of late I've been writing longer chapters with more scene breaks in between. For me it comes down to what format feels right for the WIP, and while reading I don't mind either as long as the chapter doesn't start to drag.
And sure thing, Grace! Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
That's a great point about ensuring that each chapter has arc within it to push the story forward. Length aside, those kind of plot nuances are important to remember. Thanks, Melissa!
I always favoured longer chapters but then found that people liked to read a single chapter in a work break. It's not a matter of attention span, it's more a matter of how long it takes to read. Read your chapter aloud (because most people vocalise what they read), time how long it takes and if it's more than 15 min. - split the chapter.
I think that chapters should be as long as they need to be, but I think we'll see an increase in people wanting to buy short stories and novellas. Serials, too. :)
Interesting post. I write YA (the obvious choice for a teenager) and I found that my chapters naturally took up about 5 typed pages. No real design or intention to it, just what seemed to happen. It depends on the writer and the genre and SO many other things that it's hard to have rules. I tend to stop because of time constraints rather than at the end of a chapter, but I know that changes.
Some great points :D
That's a really interesting perspective, Austin. Thank you!
I think you're probably right that for those comfortable with stopping mid-way through a chapter, chapter length isn't really much of a factor. I suspect that it comes more into play with readers who really prefer to finish a chapter before they stop reading.
I agree that content is one of the most important factors when considering chapter length. Interestingly, I've read a couple of books that use short chapters to emphasize a quick pace, rather than drawing the reader out. Naturally at the end of each chapter (short or not), you give the reader a chance to take a break from reading, but when done correctly the readers won't want to stop reading, even between chapters.
Very interesting! I suspect a lot of readers enjoy reading before bed, although I for one generally like to read more than one chapter in a sitting, if possible. I understand what you mean about needing to get to sleep and putting the book down regardless of how good it is--there comes a time when you just have to stop even if you're in the middle of an intense sequence.
As a writer, I tend to side with shorter chapters, although as of late I've been experimenting with a slightly longer format. Like you, I couldn't imagine writing (or reading) a book without chapters. I feel like it would start to drag and become tiring very quickly, although I haven't tried it, so I suppose I could be wrong.
Thanks for the thoughtful response!
I absolutely agree that chapters (or some sort of break at least) is essential to the reading experience. As I told Matthew, I couldn't imagine reading or writing a book without chapters--it'd be exhausting!
You also make a great point about something needing to happen throughout the course of the chapter. Melissa mentioned earlier about every chapter needing an arc to carry it through the story, which I think is a great way of explaining it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Margaret!
I agree that the most important part is to put a lot of consideration in where to put those chapter breaks. A misplaced chapter break can easily interfere with the momentum of the story, but well placed chapter breaks will keep the reader want to continue reading well past what they originally planned.
Interesting! I'd never thought of timing how long it takes to read a chapter. Thanks for sharing, John!
You know, I hadn't really thought of that, but I think you're probably right. E-books make shorts, novellas and serials much more convenient and desirable.
Thank you, Emily! Judging from the comments (and my own experience) I think that time constraints are a large factor in when readers stop reading--and it's also a factor that we as writers have absolutely no control over. The best we can do is make sure the content is gripping enough that if a hypothetical reader didn't have time constraints, they'd want to read straight through.
I think you make excellent points, but there's something extremely gratifying about finishing several mini-chapters versus a giant chapter of the same length. It feels like you accomplished more, if that makes sense.
Interesting! I hadn't really thought of it that way, but I could see how you might feel that way.
"In a sense, chapters are like paragraphs in that their length depends largely on their content." Best quote I've read today.
Thank you! ^_^
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