{"id":500245,"date":"2022-05-09T17:00:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T16:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?p=500245"},"modified":"2022-09-15T16:16:21","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T15:16:21","slug":"chapters-in-a-book-how-to-structure-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/chapters-in-a-book-how-to-structure-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapters In A Book: How To Structure Them Well"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Chapter structure may not sound like the sexiest topic, but it has a significant effect on whether readers enjoy your story. As you strive to <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-become-a-better-writer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">become a better writer<\/a>, examining different aspects of your writing, perhaps you\u2019ve wondered: How long should my chapters be? How do I structure my chapters and make them flow?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll talk about why chapters exist, and we\u2019ll look at how you can enhance your reader\u2019s experience by carefully considering the context, pacing, content, openings, and titles of your book\u2019s chapters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To start off, let\u2019s look at a question whose answer might seem obvious: what is a chapter?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-Is-A-Chapter\"><strong>What Is A Chapter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most simple answer is that a chapter is simply a <strong>marked division of a book<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The origin of chapters is unknown, but they appear to have developed around or before 400 AD, alongside the concept of a table of contents. In many early examples, the front of the book would contain a numbered summary of each chapter. The reader could then find the corresponding number in the body of the book.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reference books, chapters are still used in much the same way. They form part of an overall indexing and organising system that makes the book more useful as a store of information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in novels and narrative non-fiction, book chapters serve a different purpose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of this guide focuses on chapters in novels and narrative non-fiction. To begin with, let\u2019s clarify the difference between chapters and scenes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure.jpg\" alt=\"chapter-structure\" class=\"wp-image-500272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/chapter-structure-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-Chapters-Work\"><strong>How Chapters Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this section, we&#8217;ll look at how chapters work, how they differ from scenes, what they&#8217;re for, and how chapter lengths are assigned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapters Vs. Scenes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chapters and scenes are related, as they are both <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/parts-of-a-book-breaking-it-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">parts of a book<\/a>, but they are not the same thing:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A <strong>scene<\/strong> is a part of your narrative, where characters experience certain events in a particular time and place.&nbsp;<\/li><li>A <strong>chapter<\/strong> is a division of your book, marked by a number or title.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In some novels, chapters contain one scene each.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More often, each chapter of a book will contain several related scenes. In this case, the scenes are usually divided from one another by whitespace, by a <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-typeset-your-novel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">typographic<\/a> ornament, or using a transition phrase in the text itself\u2014but not by a number or title.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are Chapters For?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike a reference book, you typically read a novel from front to back, often across multiple sittings. Chapters in novels support this experience in two ways:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Chapters mark appropriate \u201c<strong>pause points<\/strong>\u201d. These are moments where the reader can safely put down the book and forget those short-term details we normally hold in our heads as we read, like which characters are present, who just spoke, and so on. (A scene break can also function as a pause point within a chapter.)&nbsp;<\/li><li>Chapter divisions make the story more clear by creating a space when there\u2019s a <strong>change in focus<\/strong>, such as a change in viewpoint or location, a jump in time, or a new type of action.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These two purposes often overlap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter Length<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no hard rules about length when writing chapters. In addition to being functional, chapters in a novel are part of an author\u2019s storytelling style and can be used in a variety of ways. But here are some guidelines to consider:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>There\u2019s no specific <strong>maximum length<\/strong> for a chapter. If a chapter is too long, you\u2019ll probably notice that the pacing is slow, or that the chapter contains too many unrelated scenes. However, a long chapter can be appropriate for a climactic scene, or a passage that\u2019s meant to feel arduous.&nbsp;<\/li><li>There\u2019s also no specific <strong>minimum length<\/strong> for a chapter. Too many chapter breaks can annoy the reader, or come across as precious or grandiose. If a short chapter has the same focus as the chapter before or after, consider merging them and using a scene break instead. However, a short chapter can be appropriate when the action is quick (especially when switching between multiple viewpoints), or when emphasising a specific moment that you don\u2019t want to clutter with details.&nbsp;<\/li><li>(For more detailed advice about chapter lengths, see our guide <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-long-should-a-chapter-be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Long Should a Chapter Be?<\/a>)<\/li><li>Remember that <strong>chapters are not scenes<\/strong>, so not every scene break requires a new chapter.&nbsp;<\/li><li>When you keep chapter lengths <strong>consistent<\/strong> throughout most of your book, you establish a rhythm. You can then break this rhythm at a key moment to create an effect.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we know how chapters work in general, let\u2019s talk about how to structure them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters.jpg\" alt=\"book-chapters\" class=\"wp-image-500271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/book-chapters-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-To-Structure-A-Chapter\"><strong>How To Structure A Chapter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The structure is an important part of how chapters are used, and it can be helpful to plan out your chapters and determine which type of structure works for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When To Plan Your Chapters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like to plan ahead, or if you like to write from prompts with word counts, you\u2019ll do best by planning your chapters in advance. However, if you find that type of planning too constricting, it\u2019s fine to ignore chapter divisions while you write your first draft. When that draft is complete, you can use your revisions to consider where to insert chapter divisions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Now, this isn\u2019t to say you shouldn\u2019t plan at all. See our guide <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-plan-a-novel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Plan a Novel<\/a> for advice on planning the broad strokes before you write that first draft.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Structuring A Chapter: A Method For Everyone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a method anyone can use to structure a chapter. If you like to plan ahead, use these steps while plotting your book. If you prefer to write organically, then organise and revise, use these steps as part of your revisions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either way, this method will help you think about how to write a chapter by grouping and linking scenes, and cue you to whether there might be scenes missing that you should add, or superfluous ones you should (re)move.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping in mind that every chapter is both a self-contained experience and also part of the complete story, consider these questions:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What is the reader\u2019s mindset coming into this chapter?&nbsp;<ul><li>How intense was the previous chapter? Do we want to increase, decrease, or maintain that intensity?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What changed or what did the reader learn in the previous chapter? Do you want to elaborate on that immediately (consequences, added details, reactions), or do you want to switch focus (give the reader time to ponder or let their curiosity simmer)?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What was the emotional tone of the previous chapter? Do you want to maintain or contrast that?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>What should the reader\u2019s mindset be as they enter the next chapter? How will you set that up?&nbsp;<ul><li>Do you want the reader\u2019s mind clear or preoccupied when the next chapter begins?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What emotional state do you want them in? Will the next chapter have its best impact if the reader enters it excited, demoralised, apprehensive, \u2026?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What does the next chapter focus on? Can you prime the reader\u2019s interest by planting questions that the next chapter will address? Can you make the next chapter feel fresh by avoiding unnecessary references to what it will focus on (\u201ctopic fatigue\u201d)?&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>What job does the current chapter need to do?&nbsp;<ul><li>What does the reader need to learn, and how are you delivering that information?&nbsp;<\/li><li>Which events need to happen on-stage, which ones off-stage, and which are flexible?&nbsp;<\/li><li>If you have a multiple-viewpoint novel, which viewpoints are available to relay this chapter\u2019s events?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What length is appropriate for this chapter?&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As you answer these questions, you\u2019ll get a good idea of which scenes should be included in a chapter and how they should be presented in terms of viewpoint, tone, and focus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Note\u2014if you\u2019re not clear on the overall plot of your novel, you\u2019ll need to get that straight first before you worry about making chapters flow smoothly. See our guide <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-plot-a-novel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Plot a Novel<\/a> for advice and tools for plotting.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Two Kinds Of Bad Chapters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay special attention to fixing two types of bad chapters: chapters where <strong>nothing happens<\/strong>, and chapters where <strong>things happen but nobody cares<\/strong>. If you have a chapter that\u2019s not working, try these questions:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What is the most important thing that happens? Is the chapter built to support that event, or does it contain distractions and superfluous material?&nbsp;<\/li><li>Does this chapter exist solely to let you include a scene that you love? Can the story exist without this chapter? If so, try deleting it.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Does this chapter exist solely to move characters to new locations or otherwise \u201cget them ready\u201d for future chapters? If so, always delete it. You don\u2019t need to announce location changes to the reader, you can have them happen off-stage and refer back to them with a single sentence. (\u201cMary touched down at LAX just as furious as when she took off. She\u2019d decided to fly out the moment she learned of Frank\u2019s act of embezzlement.\u201d)&nbsp;<\/li><li>Is this chapter an infodump? If so, try to delete the entire chapter by diffusing your exposition into earlier chapters. At worst, you\u2019ll tighten it up considerably.<\/li><li>Does this chapter handle its events in a memorable way? If you have a chapter that is focused and does what it needs to plot-wise, but it just isn\u2019t that interesting, that can be a cue to think up a set-piece or a more original way of handling the action of this chapter.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, deeply probing a bad chapter will help you to uncover deeper problems in your story structure. (In other words, maybe the chapter is bad because there\u2019s no good way to tell it.) If a chapter feels bad during your early revisions, be a bloodhound and follow the trail until you\u2019re satisfied.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters.jpg\" alt=\"using-book-chapters\" class=\"wp-image-500279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/using-book-chapters-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-To-Start-A-Chapter\"><strong>How To Start A Chapter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting a chapter can be daunting in much the same way as<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-start-a-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> starting a book<\/a>. Luckily, some of the same advice applies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a process you can use for any genre. As before, use it as a planning tool or a reviewing tool, depending on your writing style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Starting A Chapter- Reader\u2019s Attention Method<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of a well-planned tourist attraction: its entrance is carefully planned to focus and guide people to ensure their experience is enjoyable. The start of your chapter can accomplish the same thing using these steps: (1) tell the reader where they are, (2) get their attention, (3) put their focus where you need it, (4) lead them on from there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To <strong>tell the reader where they are<\/strong>, use a chapter title, dateline, or opening sentence to provide them with a mental starting point. You might tell them whose viewpoint they\u2019re in, or where the scene is set, or something that\u2019s just happened. This is the equivalent of the tourist attraction\u2019s \u201cWelcome to \u2026\u201d sign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To <strong>get their attention<\/strong>, don\u2019t think \u201cvolume turned to 11\u201d so much as \u201cshiny object\u201d. One technique is to force the reader to activate their mind\u2019s eye by giving them a partial image. Another is to engage their analytical mind by creating an open question. Either way, you\u2019re demanding that their mental resources be focused on the story\u2014if half their brain is still on their grocery list, this will help them forget about it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now <strong>put their focus where you need it<\/strong>. Do you want the reader to watch a particular character\u2019s movements? Speculating about someone\u2019s intentions? Thinking about a particular problem or mystery? Use the image or open question from the previous step to bring their attention where you need it. For example, if you want their attention on a particular character, your opening image might be of something that character is touching, or of an article of that character\u2019s clothing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you\u2019re ready to <strong>lead the reader onward<\/strong>. Let the natural action of your chapter begin to unfold.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Starting A Chapter\u2014Example<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s create an example for a crime thriller novel. We\u2019ll say our protagonist has been captured, and we want to set up a tense conversation between him and his captor, followed by an exciting escape sequence. We might try this:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>Mojave desert, Monday, 2pm<\/em>&nbsp;<br>The pocket-watch was ornate; Civil War most likely. Jesse watched it swing from the brown suit jacket as the barrel chest paced back and forth in front of him, the voice droning on.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Gold. Some sort of flowers or vines engraved on it. Diamond stud. Roman numbers on the face.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Jesse looked up. His neck was burning. He hadn\u2019t been able to loosen his wrists at all.&nbsp;<\/p><p>McCallum was looking somewhere out on the horizon. Talking about loyalty and betrayal. Jesse was too dehydrated to focus on the details.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Then McCallum stopped talking, and Jesse realised he could hear the pocket-watch keeping time\u2014a dutiful witness to his final minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how we developed our chapter opening:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>We <strong>tell the reader where they are<\/strong> using a dateline, a common device in thrillers. The phrase \u201cMonday, 2pm\u201d tells us how much time has passed since the previous chapter. The fact that it\u2019s daytime gives us the start of a mental image of the desert.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\"><li>Now we get the reader\u2019s <strong>attention<\/strong> with an initially vague description of the pocket-watch and its owner. Ornate, but how? And why is the owner above Jesse\u2019s eye level?&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\"><li>Now we give the reader answers paired with more questions, <strong>focusing<\/strong> them on Jesse\u2019s predicament. They realise that Jesse is tied up, kneeling, dehydrated, and apparently in mortal danger. The reader can see that the immediate concern of this chapter will be Jesse\u2019s desire to escape this situation and that McCallum wants a final confrontation.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\"><li>Now we\u2019re ready to <strong>lead the reader onward<\/strong> to the action of the chapter: words will be exchanged, Jesse will attempt to escape, and the reader will anticipate the outcome.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>This is just one way we could have started this chapter. Using the same method, we might instead have started with Jesse waking up in a dark, cramped space; hearing snatches of muffled dialogue; then realising he\u2019s in a car trunk when it\u2019s opened and blinding light streams in. The method is a checklist\u2014your creativity fills in the blanks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you have a method for writing a chapter opening, let\u2019s look at one final detail: chapter titles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters.jpg\" alt=\"structuring-chapters\" class=\"wp-image-500278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/structuring-chapters-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-To-Write-Chapter-Titles\"><strong>How To Write Chapter Titles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to keep in mind about chapter titles is that, unlike a <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-come-up-with-a-great-book-title\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">great book title<\/a>, they\u2019re optional! Plenty of books do without them, so don\u2019t feel obligated to include any if you don\u2019t think it enhances your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do want to include chapter titles, think about what job they\u2019ll be doing; this will point you toward which format to use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter Title Ideas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to <strong>tease or foreshadow<\/strong> the events of the chapter, you can use your title to describe coming events in an abstract or concrete way. For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 7: In Which Bertie McLannister is Shot, But Survives&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 13: The Showdown at the Mill&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 21: An End to Suffering&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you just want a distinct title so your reader can <strong>tell chapters apart<\/strong>, you can pull the title from a memorable piece of dialogue or description. For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 34: I couldn\u2019t forget you if I tried&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 6: The temple, its battered walls defiant&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your novel jumps among <strong>multiple viewpoints<\/strong>, you can incorporate the viewpoint character\u2019s name into the title. (Alternately, you can put the viewpoint character\u2019s name in a dateline. This can be a better option if you plan to change viewpoints <em>within<\/em> the chapter as well.) For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 16: Lucy&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 16: Lucy\u2019s Story&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 12: Jack Carter: The Showdown at the Mill&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If <strong>time, timing, or location<\/strong> are particularly important, your title can incorporate a date or time. (Again, this information can also be given in a dateline.) For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 3: Mojave Desert, Monday, 2pm&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chapter 3: A dutiful witness\u2014Monday, 2pm&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These chapter title examples show some of the most common formats. Other possibilities exist\u2014you can use any format that complements the experience you\u2019re trying to create.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, be sure to stay consistent. You shouldn\u2019t vary the format of your chapter titles unless you have a good reason, such as two viewpoint characters with different ways of thinking\u2014perhaps one is always acutely aware of the time, the other attuned to their mood.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crafting Chapters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using chapters with purpose will make your book (and your writing process) more satisfying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, I\u2019ve given you some tools for thinking about the context, purpose, structure, opening, and titles of your chapters. When you\u2019re ready for the next step, one of the best sounding boards for your ideas is speaking with other authors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter structure may not sound like the sexiest topic, but it has a significant effect on whether readers enjoy your story. As you strive to become a better writer, examining different aspects of your writing, perhaps you\u2019ve wondered: How long should my chapters be? How do I structure my chapters and make them flow?&nbsp; In<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17576,"featured_media":500268,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[27495],"class_list":["post-500245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-novel-writing","tag-plotting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jericho Writers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out what every chapter in your book should include - from headings and word count, to structure and quantity.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/chapters-in-a-book-how-to-structure-them\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapters In A Book: How To Structure Them Well &#8211; 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