Is it possible to write a continuous novel but instead of chapters have sections that illustrate the next part of the novel? You usually can see this in articles that have one point at the start, then might mention how a group is opposed to the idea in the next. (hard to explain ... sorry)
My name is Bob (in bold)
blah blah blah blah blah blah
She said hello (in bold)
blah blah blah blah blah
2007-08-27 18:11:01 · 7 answers · asked by Pete 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Absolutely not. Cormac Mc Carthy just won the Pulitzer Prize for The Road - which has no chapters and doesn't even use quotations. Be innovative and creative in your style. Pax- C
2007-08-27 18:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, chapters are not necessary. You can (as another person suggested) look at Terry Pratchett's books, or other stories where they only have four 'chapters' in a 300 page book. Definitely not necessary.
Although, if you are writing a novel, you will want to give the reader something to indicate that the point of view has shifted (called a POV shift). In other words, if Bob is talking, then somebody else starts talking, put some stars (centered) in between the text....
My name is Bob, blah, blah.
***
My name is Sarah.
2007-08-27 19:12:09 · answer #2 · answered by skpicky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter how long or short your chapters are. I've read books where the chapters are super-long (30+ pages) and others where the chapters were only a page or two. James Patterson tends to write very, very short chapters, and he has more bestsellers than anyone else. So don't worry. :)
2016-05-19 22:43:55 · answer #3 · answered by irina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Terry Prattchett, a famous british author, has a thirty book series of which, I believe, only two books feature actual numbered chapters. As long as there's a significant break between a paragraph ending one scene/section and the paragraph beginning the next, chapters aren't necessary.
2007-08-27 18:17:12 · answer #4 · answered by OodlesofNoodles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Stephen king novel needs chapters (or the reader will go mad). A Kafka novel (or something more surreal) can do with a sole character talking to himself in an empty room. You don't need chapters there. It spoils the continuity, tension and pace.
2007-08-27 18:17:20 · answer #5 · answered by Gatlin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds a lot like Ulysses.
2007-08-27 18:19:47 · answer #6 · answered by Omar Cayenne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes . you can .
2007-08-28 12:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by xothebestox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋