In any work of fiction, the author must maintain a delicate balance between telling the story and showing the story. On one hand, too much description can bog down the narrative and cause readers to lose interest. On the other hand, not enough description can make the narrative feel rushed or confusing. The key is to find the right balance for your particular story by properly using chapters and scenes.
As writers, we all know the terms “chapter” and “scene” but do we know the difference between the two, and are we using them correctly?
A chapter is a unit of a book consisting of one or more scenes. Chapters are used to break up the story into manageable chunks while creating pace and rhythm. Each chapter should have a purpose, whether it’s to advance the plot, develop the characters, or set up the next scene.
A scene is a unit of action or narrative. There can be multiple scenes within a chapter. Use a dinkus (three asterisks, centered and aligned horizontally on the page) to break up scenes within a single chapter.
Each chapter and scene serves an important purpose by creating flow in your story no matter what genre you write. This rule applies to action-packed thrillers as much as character-driven memoirs.
One tip for chapter structure is to vary the length. Some chapters might only be a few paragraphs long, while others may span a dozen pages. This variety can keep readers engaged by providing them with a sense of momentum. As you write and edit your story, pay attention to the overall pace, and make sure that each chapter is serving its purpose.
Scenes allow you to focus on key moments in your story and provide emotional hooks to capture and keep your reader’s attention. These scenes need extra attention during the editing process. Make sure they are fleshed out and provide enough detail to give readers a clear understanding of what is happening. At the same time, be sure to edit out any unnecessary elements that could interfere with the flow of the story.
Both chapters and scenes are used for pacing. Shorter passages can indicate an unexpected plot twist or action. Longer is used to supply detailed information, reveal a bit of backstory, or show internal struggle.
How does YOUR writer’s brain formulate your story? By chapters or scenes?
Whether you write and edit by chapters or scenes, the important thing is to keep readers interested and turning pages.
So ask yourself, are my readers on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next? Do they care enough about my characters to finish the story? If not, it might be time to revise.