I am writing a novel and it has been suggested that it needs chapters, but I'm not so sure. It's only a novella really, just over 30000 words. I've been told that a chapter has to be a mini-plot with a resolution that contributes to the overall story, but I don't think that I have any parts that do that to turn into chapters. Does anyone have any ideas?
2007-09-29 00:58:06 · 8 answers · asked by hiddenstar 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
As an author my self. Not all books have chapters. If the story is continues through out the book. with like no flash backs to the day before and such. then no chapters are needed. it is up to you if you want chapters or not and a book can be from only 30 pages long to a 1,000 or more. but if you can't make chapters then don't try to. you may end up messy the way the story goes. know when to end a chapter can be hard. so leave it be. if the publisher wants chapter then put them in. other wise leave it alone.
2007-09-29 01:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by sassylassy2876 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like books to have chapters so I can see a clear stopping-point at which I can take a break and think about what I've just read before going on. Reading Hemmingway's "The Old Man And The Sea" was torture for me because I literally couldn't put it down.
2007-09-29 17:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by Caitlin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. I think it depends on your writing style. I'd ask some people to read it, and ask what they think. Most of the authors I read divide their stories into chapters, and it usually works with the story. Terry Pratchett, on the other hand, does not use chapters in his books. That works for his stories.
2007-09-29 02:16:45 · answer #3 · answered by Molly T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, novels need chapters. They need to be divided into chapters because it'll be easier for the readers to search for the part where they 'pause', 'missed', 'searching' or 'wanting to know'.
If you want to divide them into chapters, read your story all over again. Try to separate the parts by each 'turning' journeys/adventures...etc...
EXAMPLE: Chapter 1, a journey somewhere at "......"(place).
chapter 2, another journey (somewhere else or different from the previous journey/chapter...)
I hope that I didn't make you feel confuse or anything...T.T, sometimes I can be a 'making you confuse' explainer...
2007-09-29 02:32:24 · answer #4 · answered by Yezzie Yas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, that really depends on the book. The Road by Cormac McCarthy had no chapters and this actually strengthened the effect of the book. i would have to read yours to tell you if i thought it needed chapters. you are the author so you are the best judge of how your novel should be presented.
2007-09-29 05:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by amanda c 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should divde it into chapters, just because it makes it an "easier read" for everyone. Also, if you publish it, it will take up more pages, giving the illusion that you've done more work than you really did! LOL I just published my first "novelette" myself, and if I hadn't chopped it up into chapters, I don't think it would have been long enough.
Check it out, and good luck with your book!
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Company-Holly-E-Gaskin/dp/1432705792/ref=sr_1_1/103-9817843-5888656?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191067680&sr=1-1
2007-09-29 01:09:01 · answer #6 · answered by Holly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the joys I find in writing is that there are no laws governing format. Write what you feel, and if it conforms to somebody's preset notion of what it should look like then that's convenient, but if not perhaps the novelty of an alternate approach is just what your story required. Write for yourself. The reactions of others is their business, not yours. Go for it.
2007-09-29 01:10:31 · answer #7 · answered by mrjones502003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-09-29 02:26:19 · answer #8 · answered by wilma m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋