I wouldn't go down the road of thinking of chapers as "mini stories".

I agree, Michael. I don't think that's a good way of looking at it.

I do think it's important (and I've only started thinking about this recently) to consider what you want in each chapter, but not as a story on its own - as a component part of the whole.

For instance, if you have several viewpoints and intend to change between them in between chapters then you need to decide what works as that character's "episode" before moving to the next character, and what will juxtapose effectively. If you only have one viewpoint character then you similarly need to decide when you want to break for effect - whether at a cliffhanger or a lull. Perhaps a lull is always wrong - my point is that you need to consider when a break will enhance rather than detract from the experience.

I think a novel written with chapters like short stories would seem just like that, and would not sustain the tension throughout the book. So the joins matter, but not as if they're individual stories. All IMVHO.

Deb

I think it's the reader who needs chapters, Dee, even if the writer doesn't. Without chapters we'd never be able to feel we could put a book down. The end of a chapter tells me when to turn out the light, or get on with the ironing, or whatever.

I don't write in chapters but in instalments which I break down into scenes. Each instalment is required to be a certain number of words and MUST end in a cliffhanger. I found this very difficult and demanding initially but now I find it quite a nice challenge - a bit like a puzzle - making sure I get in all the bits I need to get in before the end. I also have to write to a synopsis, which again, didn't come easily at first.

I think it's the reader who needs chapters

Interesting observation, Jem.

You know how it's nice to have some white space sometimes? Some dialogue to break up dense paras, or a line break here and there? Chapters do the same thing, I feel - they let some air in. They also make it feel like you're making progress - a marker for the reader.

Otherwise it could seem as if the narrative just runs on, and on, and on...

Deb

we'd never be able to feel we could put a book down

Perfick!!!


I'm sure you're right, Jem and Deb. White page, whether it’s dialogue or spaces, seem to pull a reader through the story at a great pace. I once heard someone do a talk on why The Davinci Code was so successful, and one of the reasons he gave was the short chapters, and the associated temptation to read just one more.

Dee

At the most basic level, a chapter-break is bigger than a gap-with-asterisks, which is bigger than a double-line space. What you do with that break is up to you, but it seems a shame not to use a tool from the tool kit. But then I plan in chapters, from the ground up, so they're integral to the pace and structure of everything. I know that's not the case for everyone and every novel.

Emma

On my method: I can't be asked to do "sections" like some writers. The way I try to write a full story is the way I am now working on Lillie.
I do a word sheet with a chapter by chapter account straight from the hip till the end as a guide only subject to change.(Lillie will be about 12 chapters). These chapters are a brief insight to what will be going on.
Then I do another word sheet with Sub-Chapters(each numbered chapter corresponds to the same number on sheet one) these sub-chapters go into a little bit more detail and introduces charators such as friend , relatives etc)
My next sheet will be a sub-sub-chapter list: this will be more descriptive in regards to designing my charactors and scene. Then stepping back, taking it all in to see if I am happy with all my elements eg begining,middle & end
This doen I will do more sheets to fill in the blanks of ajoining storylines or sub plot.
(Christ, I haven't finished anything yet but I sound like a writer already)

I would like some tips on finding the time to write as I have a full time job. How best to motivate myself to get up and write in the evenings.

I would also like some tips on how others plan their work, and what you think of my way.

Thank you
Steve