Scrrreech - Screeching From The Void

Chapter length, sentences, paragraph... : how to balance your story ? [random pieces of advices]

Intro : I realized soon enough that my first writing project was a bit too ambitious for someone who hadn't written anything in ages, so I decided to start 2025 with a simpler one, just to 'oil the machinery' and get back into good habits while my hubris can rot in hell the meantime. That being said, let's talk about ✨rythm✨

Your chapter length is determined by the goal you settled for it : A short chapter often chimes with action and thus progress. It can sometimes give a sense of urgency, of acceleration (and sometimes of escape). In my case, it is bound to an increase in tension, the creation of suspense and tends to cultivate the reader's interest (i hope lol). A long chapter is more suited to introspection and 'descriptive' parts, it can help create moments of pause in the story, but it doesn't make it less useful ! In short : Adapt size to content.

Correlated but not dependant : sentence length. The length of sentences and chapters works together to shape the narrative rhythm. Based on that principe, you can mixt things up : long chapter with short sentences OR short chapter with long sentences. These combinations create a certain atmosphere: a long chapter with short sentences, for example, would tend to wear the reader out in the long run (but beware, it's hard to do well). And don't forget : one paragraph, one idea. In short : Try various combinations to suit the mood.

Consider the overall rhythm. And I do insist on that one.

Ellipsis might be your new bestie. Temporal, Event, Emotional... Anything that doesn't need to be said can be skipped. Why ? Because sometimes, leaving events off-page stimulates the reader’s imagination AND it keeps your attention on things that matter. To make it work, provide contextual clues and choose the right moment (I leave it to you, good luck). Vary your transitions and ellipsis, don't stick to the same ones and try your best to find a thread between the events (for narrative purposes). Honestly, that would require an entire blog entry but this is far too long already.

Outro: New year, new me. Yes I'm back, i'm sorry. The end of last year was a bit tensed and I took a one month vacations to go back home and make a total disconnection. But I'm back in business now (in theory). And no, i haven't forgotten about the tropes and clichés article I promised you. edit: happy new year btw

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scrrreech

3 months ago