Quote from: MattT on September 03, 2025, 12:24:44 PM

On the short side, 7k words, on the high side 25k words. Usually between those. The chapter I wanted you to read is like just over 7k, so its one of my shorter chapters.

We obviously don't have the same definition of the word 'short'

My average is 1200 words per chapter.

Long chapters have a slow down effect on reading. Short chapters have a speed up effect on reading. I write a rollicking yarn, so I go for speed of narrative, rather than the slow march towards the ending. Sort of thing.

Yeah I can read 3-5 chapters in a single sitting.

A 25k chapter is way too long. IMHO.

I'd be recommending you change chapter every time one of those subtitles happens. Then to maintain your numbering thing, maybe introduce an extra level to it, so that every 'group' gets an over title or something extra. Maintain the under meaning, but with an extra level to it.

If your chapters are longer than 3000 words, then you're narrative is going to have to be very compelling to hold people. At least, that's my opinion. Others will disagree.

Ok, here's a question: Can you read a full chapter out of your books in a single sitting? No break, just a complete read without even wanting a break? If no, then it's too long.

You might be right. But, in order to stick to the structure of my story at 14 chapters per book, 42 chapters per trilogy. I have to make them kind of long. But, you're probably right.

Yes, I read 3-5 chapters in a single sitting. But, I read a whole lot as an academic and someone who just likes books.

If you want, I can send you the whole 11th chapter of my 2nd book. That one, I'm particularly proud of.

Why don't I send you that chapter and you can tell me if it gets boring?

Quote from: MattT on September 03, 2025, 09:20:10 AM

Thank you! I am in the process of going through everything and removing the scenes. I only kept them as a means of organizing my work. But, can I keep the subtitles? That way I know what chunk of story that I'm on? Is that going to be an issue for readers, do you think? I see that you said that they're not necessary, but they're all well thought-out and apply to that chunk of writing. So do they have to be removed?

Subtitles generally go at the beginning of a new chapter.

So if you changed chapters for each one, and put that under the chapter number, no-one would question it at all.

But just sticking them in the middle of a chapter? I'm not sure that works.

So there's probably a choice there. More chapters or less subtitles?

How long are your average chapters btw?

On the short side, 7k words, on the high side 25k words. Usually between those. The chapter I wanted you to read is like just over 7k, so its one of my shorter chapters.

That read reasonably well, and didn't bounce me out at all.

You only need a beta reader if you're not sure the story works, or if there might be something wrong with the main character.

I've only used one once, and that was half way through a book, where I was worried the MC was not likeable.

The Beta reader, who I found at an author event, said the book was good, and to finish it. It turned out to be my second best performing book ever, with the sequel I hadn't thought of doing then being the first.

But that was all I needed. The Beta reader confirmed the character was good and the story worked, and that was confirmed in the first dozen reviews, which all said they loved the character and story, but hated the ending, and demanded either a sequel or a trilogy. They got a trilogy.

So if all you need is confirmation, then use a Beta reader. But if you're happy with it yourself, it's probably not necessary. I used one because I wasn't sure.

As far as the read goes, we don't use scenes.

My preference is when the scene changes, so does the chapter, but I get you have a structure there.

So instead of the scene change words, you need something like *  *  *. The titles are probably not necessary either.

Afterthought: The editing and proofing is good. No goofs detected, and I'm always in editor mode so I spot them.

It just needs the scenes cleaned up.

Would you mind reading a Blacksmith Forging 'scene' from one of my early books? Its one of my favorite written pieces of my whole saga and I kind of want some feedback on it, without tying someone into the whole story. Actually, its the entire 11th chapter of my 2nd book Iron Sharpens Iron. I'd love to get some professional feedback on the chapter and how it plays out? There are some bible verses, but they're tied to the story.

Twelve books across 4 trilogies.

I could give you a discount then. Can you please email me via the website? I need the information from the form, plus the genres and word count for all the books.

That read reasonably well, and didn't bounce me out at all.

You only need a beta reader if you're not sure the story works, or if there might be something wrong with the main character.

I've only used one once, and that was half way through a book, where I was worried the MC was not likeable.

The Beta reader, who I found at an author event, said the book was good, and to finish it. It turned out to be my second best performing book ever, with the sequel I hadn't thought of doing then being the first.

But that was all I needed. The Beta reader confirmed the character was good and the story worked, and that was confirmed in the first dozen reviews, which all said they loved the character and story, but hated the ending, and demanded either a sequel or a trilogy. They got a trilogy.

So if all you need is confirmation, then use a Beta reader. But if you're happy with it yourself, it's probably not necessary. I used one because I wasn't sure.

As far as the read goes, we don't use scenes.

My preference is when the scene changes, so does the chapter, but I get you have a structure there.

So instead of the scene change words, you need something like *  *  *. The titles are probably not necessary either.

Afterthought: The editing and proofing is good. No goofs detected, and I'm always in editor mode so I spot them.

It just needs the scenes cleaned up.