Second Wind Publishing discussion

As a mystery fan, I’ve read most of bestselling author James Patterson’s novels. Some I’ve liked better than others, but there is one thing that is consistent about his writing. He organizes his stories into a LOT of short chapters, often over one hundred per book. Some of these little scenes are barely one page long. I think this style makes the pace of the novel seem very fast. I usually fly through his books. “I’ll just read one more chapter—it’s short.” But can this be overdone? Do some of the minor ‘cliff-hangers’ seem contrived just to create this page-turning effect?

I'm a die-hard Patterson fan also and love the short chapters. Not sure every author could carry them off but I'd go short rather than so real long ones.

Lavada

Sometimes I don't mind a setup like that, but it really depends on the story and if it breaks down that way or if the author is forcing it just for the sake of style.
It can make a story read fast, but is that always a good thing? I don't think you want the entire story to be read at high speed. The reader needs periodic breaks to digest the previous chapters.
On the other hand, some chapters go on way too long as if the author can't figure out a break.

I think it's personal preference on the part of both the author and the reader.

I agree that it's personal preference. I like to read a book with reasonable short chapters because I think it allows a psychological break for the brain.
I also received a comment from a reader of my novel that my short -- although not as short as one page -- were enjoyable.

I think short chapters can work. I like them to be dramatic, if the author does this. As a writer (unpublished), I follow the three scenes per chapter rule.

I LOVE short chapters. I'm the type of reader who reads without stopping until I get to the end of the chapter for I don't want to leave the book in the middle. So, if the chapters are short, I don't feel that bad stopping at the end of one. Also, I think it's only right to start a new chapter with new thoughts, POVs, etc.

I prefer chapters that stop for a reason, even POV or change in time. The length of a chapter doesn't bother me, if I have to do something else I'll stop reading anywhere. In suspense novels, the suspense can be built by gradually shortening the chapters in the action scenes or when the plot is ablout to be resolved.

I guess this would have to depend on whether the author can pull off short chapters and the individual taste of readers. Personally i don't mind them. I think they add to the dramatic effect of the story but it also makes the story flow faster. With long chapters, there is a lot of build up within that one chapter and it can sometimes become a bit tedious to read.

I like short chapters because they mean I can read in short pieces. When the kids were young it helped to know I could lose my place and just remember the chapter number or first line. But I still prefer chapters that come to a real end, rather than serialized cliff-hangers.

This is a really interesting conversation. As a writer who finds it very easy to write short short fiction, and is struggling with completing a novel, I decided that writing shorter chapters would help me finish. I also know that many publishers are encouraging shorter chaps, because of shorter attention spans. I like Sheila's comment, however, about chapters coming to a real end. I'll keep that in mind . . . Thanks, Norm, for starting this topic.

Tara wrote: "...Sheila's comment, however, about chapters coming to a real end..."

I'd love to hear other people's opinions about chapter endings. A lot of people say you have to have cliff-hangers so the reader will remember to turn the pages. For me, cliff-hangers are a pain because I'm left with no logical place to stop reading when something else needs to be done. And, being a Mom, there's always something else to be done.

Personally, I feel a one-paragraph or one-page chapter is simply a literary device, one that leaves me feeling manipulated—and I don't like feeling manipulated. I find it often takes me out of the story.

A chapter end, whether or not it's a cliff-hanger, should leave the reader wanting to move to the next chapter. There are many ways to do this, including taking a subtle approach.

I like to use short chapters when the action increases, it speeds up the tempo and hopefully creates tension and ecxitement.