How many chapters should I write?

Most experts agree that 3,000-5,000 words per chapter is a good guideline to follow. So, 12-27 chapters for a YA novel would be a good range to start with. From there, you can narrow it down a little more by checking out similar books within the specific genre you’re writing.

How many chapters should your first book have?

How many chapters should a nonfiction book have? Most nonfiction books have between 5 and 20 chapters. Any less than 5 and your chapters may be running long or may contain too many ideas.

How many chapters should a fiction book be?

Most novels have between 10 to 12 chapters, but that’s not set in stone. You can have two chapters or 200 — it all depends on how comfortable you are with experimenting. Consider your dear reader.

How long should the first chapter of a novel be?

From these numbers, we can establish some guidelines: the average word count of a chapter typically falls somewhere between 1,500 and 5,000 words, with 3,000–4,000 being the most common sweet spot.

Should I name my chapters?

Titles certainly aren’t necessary for individual chapters. Plenty of great novels simply use numbered chapters to break the story into sections. Titling each chapter with the name of the narrator helps establish who is speaking.

What should a first chapter include?

An ideal first chapter should do the following things:

• 1) Introduce the main character.
• 2) Make us care enough to go on a journey with that character.
• 3) Set tone.
• 4) Let us know the theme.
• 5) Let us know where we are.
• 6) Introduce the antagonist.
• 7) Ignite conflict.

Is it harder to write the first chapter of a book?

For the writer, there’s nothing harder than writing the first chapter and final chapter of a book. It is here that all of your perfectionism rears its ugly head calling for a full halt to your progress. I’ve written and rewritten my first chapter dozens of times, and I’m not alone.

Does the first chapter or the last chapter sell the book?

“The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.” Young adult novelist Richard Peck has trained himself to follow a very disciplined writing process. The A Year Down Yonder author only uses an electric typewriter.

Who writes the last line of a novel first?

John Irving knows exactly how his stories will end. He writes the last line of his novels first. The words are actually typed and sent as postcards to close friends, who have frequently noted that not even a punctuation mark changed from conception to publication. It’s a lovely ritual for author and reader.

Why is the first chapter called the last chapter in disguise?

Because the first chapter is the last chapter in disguise.” Master short storyteller Edgar Allan Poe believed the greatest writers composed their work with an understanding of the story’s end and the effect it should have on readers. Poe didn’t enjoy reading novels.