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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30844
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30844
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Do short chapters affect story progression?

**Perception is key**

_Short Version:_ There's two kinds of story progression: how fast the plot moves forward (meaning the time it takes for one action to lead to another), and how fast it is _perceived_ by the reader to do so. The length of the chapter can _indicate_ how fast the plot is moving forward, but it doesn't actually dictate it. It can, however, affect a reader's _perception_ of that speed.

_Long Version:_ Chapters tend to end at one of two places. They either end where the current scene is resolved (a 'good stopping point'), or where the current scene demands an answer, forcing the reader to continue (a cliffhanger). How fast these points follow each other is determined by how fast the story progresses. Chapter length is merely an indicator of this, and does not actually influence it.

What chapter length _can_ influence is how the reader perceives the pace of the story. Short chapters tend to yield a faster pace (in the reader's mind). My theory here is that this is because the reader can easily see the chapter is short, and knows it won't take long to read it. He subconsciously speeds up his reading, and the story seems to progress faster.

Long chapters, on the other hand, subconsciously tell the reader that they will take a long time to read. The reader expects this, and his mind slows down the rate at which he reads. Story progression seems to slow down.

## How does this help you?

Knowing how to dictate the pace at which your story is read can be a great tool. A fast pace is good for action, while a slow one is good for more thought-provoking material. A good trick is to know the pace of your main character's mind, and reflect that with the chapter length. Are they tense, in a rush, or giddy with happiness? Short chapters will get the reader in the right frame of mind. Are they wrestling with an inner problem, saying goodbye to a loved one, or simply contemplating the scenery? Longer chapters will get the reader where you want him.

This of course begs the question of how to dictate chapter length. As @Alexander already pointed out in his comment on your OP, books usually consist of chapters with several scenes; that is, several packets of 'action and reaction'. The trick is to identify those packets, and break them up accordingly.

Figure out if you want a cliffhanger or a 'good stopping place'. Every action and reaction has an outcome. Withholding that outcome from the reader creates a cliffhanger. Supplying it creates satisfaction, and a good stopping place. Cliffhangers tend to generate a faster rate of reading, and also keep the reader reading longer than he otherwise would. Stopping places tend to slow things down and give the reader ample opportunity to stop and think about what he's read. Figure out which one you want. You can mix and match to your heart's desire.

After that, all you need to do is simply stop the chapter either after every outcome, or just before (depending on if you want a cliffhanger or not). If you're aiming for longer chapters, simply don't stop. Stop only when the outcome of a larger arc has been supplied.

I would recommend you look at _Harry Potter_. A lot of the chapters are a great case study, especially in the second book. Every chapter deals with a clue. You can usually look at the title to figure out what the clue is. The chapters are built on a series of actions and reactions, but at the end of the chapter, the clue is deciphered, supplying the outcome to the overall arc for the chapter.

If you want a good example of short chapters, look at the _Inheritance Cycle_. Writing competence aside, Paolini does have a short chapter every now and then, demonstrating how to stop with only one sequence of action and reaction. Look for chapters 2-3 pages long.

If you have any questions, be sure to let me know. Best of luck in your endeavors!

Original score: 3