The Writer Project is dedicated to transforming inexperienced writers into accomplished authors. Recently, we were asked about chapter length and what is the proper word count of a “complete” chapter. Well, like most things in writing, the answer is a little complicated.
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A Bit of Background
If you’re thinking about chapter word counts, it’s likely because you’re already seeing the bigger picture––the overall word count for your manuscript. However, rules concerning manuscript word counts have somewhat relaxed over the past decade, and a rigid chapter word count is no longer as strict as it once was.
FAMOUS AUTHOR CHAPTER WORD COUNTS
It’s always fun to compare to other writers to determine a suitable goal to aim for. Here are some of the average chapter word counts for various authors:
JK Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: ~ 4500 words per chapter
Kazuo Ishiguro – Never Let Me Go: ~ 4200 words per chapter
Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games: ~ 3600 words per chapter
Harper Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird: ~ 3300 words per chapter
Lois Lowry – The Giver: ~ 1900 words per chapter
Louis Sachar – Holes: ~ 1000 words per chapter
As you can see, chapter word counts vary across a wide variety of genres. Basically, a chapter should be as long as it takes for you, the writer, to get your point across.
HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING? AS LONG AS IT NEEDS TO BE
Ultimately, organizing your novel into chapters should be seen as an organizational tool that will help your story to flow. Chapters can be as long or as short as they need to be, as long as they maintain the rhythm of the piece. Usually, you’ll find that the more skilled the writer in terms of pacing and development, the more consistent the chapter lengths. You will rarely see a consistent mix of short chapters intercut with longer chapters unless it is done for particular effect. Let your story unfold evenly. A constant stutter-stop chapter break pattern may do more harm than good.
Granted, there are exceptions to this rule (See William Faulkner’s “My mother is a fish” chapter in As I Lay Dying for more unconventional artistry) but as a general rule, consistency is key.
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The Writer Project is an arts and literature program dedicated to mentoring future authors and developing literary talent. We work with writers one-on-one to craft compelling narratives, see projects through to completion, enhance writing & communication skills, and submit polished work for publication. Have a story to tell? Get in touch for a free consultation.