How to make chapters + master chapter length
During quarantine periods many of my friends and family have been doing puzzles.
This has included small puzzles and huge ‘take-over-the-kitchen-table’ style jigsaws.
Indeed, for some, puzzles have become a source of daily addiction!
When we write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project we ‘piece together’ a story just like doing a puzzle.
Certainly, as we move through the planning, writing, polishing and publishing phases chapters become the puzzle pieces that connect to reveal our greater life story.
So before you sit down to write again discover the importance of chapters for you and your reader …
Why do we need chapters?
Can you imagine a book without chapters?
It would be one giant block of never-ending text.
Indeed, what a chore it would be to read!
Therefore, I think chapters are essential for any book.
Firstly, chapters guide your audience through a manuscript.
Secondly, they help pace a reader from the first page to the last.
And of course they are very useful goalposts when we are writing and editing.
Related article – How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories
Related article – Story outline: How to make an outline and have topics to write about
What’s the average chapter length?
Traditionally chapter length and number vary depending on what style of book you are writing or reading.
For example, a novel is typically 80,000-89,000 according to Writer’s Digest.
So if it has 10-12 chapters that is 6600-8900 words per chapter.
Meanwhile, I feel a non-fiction book is about 50,000 words but can range from 35,000-75,000 words.
So if it has 10 chapters that is 3500-7500 words per chapter.
However, book styles within each category also have varying word count and chapter numbers.
Most importantly: there are no set rules!
Related article – Edit: The ultimate guide to polishing your writing
How to make chapters?
Having an average chapter length is important but you don’t need to stick to it!
The average is simply a guide because some chapters will naturally be longer than others.
For example, you have a manuscript of 50,000 words with 10 chapters.
That’s a chapter average of 5000 words.
However, chapter 1 might turn out to be 4000 words, chapter 2 about 6100 words, chapter 3 about 5500 and so on.
The key is to know why you are starting or ending a chapter at a specific point.
And there are a number of strategies to help you decide.
For example, split up chapters according to:
- Time periods: 1960s, childhood years, your 20s
- Setting change: You move house, live in a new town or go overseas
- Plot events: Leaving home, getting married, an illness, career change, etc
- Ease of reading: Think of your reader and split a long chapter into two or combine two shorter chapters
Related article – Super settings: Setting examples and how to write the setting for your life story
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: Why is theme important for my autobiography or memoir?
Final Say
Book chapters are essential for your readers and will also help you as a writer.
Indeed there are average word counts and chapter numbers for different types of books.
But be guided by your own judgement and elements of your book.
Book chapters will help give your writing meaning and order.
And that is definitely a good thing.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
Need help coming up with book chapters? Sign up for the free Structure Success video training to create a rough outline for your book. Sign up here or fill in the form below.
Your say
How are you planning to divide your book chapters? I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
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This article first appeared on the website Forever Young Autobiographies.com.
