Structuring Chapters

Now that I’m full steam ahead with book two (as of this writing about 30% done), I’m revisiting some basics of writing to; 1) inspire the writing process and 2) keep learning. Recently got into chapter structure and how this can shape a novel. I found there are a few ways people approach this. There’s the ‘chapters are mini stories’ approach, with their own three act structure, rising / falling action, and there’s the come in late, leave early approach, which is build tension quickly, then leave on a cliffhanger. There are a few other approaches, but what I found is that they’re all the same thing worded differently. As is most writing advice, it’s about finding the one that resonates best with you.

Anyways, with my first novel I didn’t put that much thought into chapter structure and it wasn’t until the editing process, and working with an editor, that some of this started to shine through. The idea of getting to the action or goal of the scene quickly to get the readers attention, then leaving with a question, or cliffhanger moment to keep them “binging” on chapters. Of course, I need to find the right balance with that, every chapter ending in a cliffhanger could get stale because readers will know what’s coming. But what I learned is they don’t need to be major cliffhangers, they need to be simple moments, dialogue, or action that sets up the next scene with that character. Applying this to my next book I’ve found myself in a groove with writing chapters, having a better idea of when to end them and where to start the next. Which, impacts pacing. I like a well paced story, keep me moving with information, dialogue and action, with a few key moments of calm to bring the reader down, only to bring them back up. Tight stories, for me, are the bread and butter and something I strive for when I’m writing. Chapter structure, along with dialog and KISS (keeping it simple silly) word choice is swiftest path to a nicely paced story. In our latest episode of Writers Syndrome, Tim and I get into structuring chapters and what we’ve learned with our first novels.