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Writers Retreat > Student Talk > Course Lessons > Assignment 10 > Chapter length
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Beth Consugar
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« on: July 15, 2010, 12:34:44 PM »
I might be missing something in the manual, but how long should chapters be for YA? I have seen a variety of lengths in published books, but I am not James Patterson or Stephenie Meyer, so I can't just do what I want!

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

P.S. I just submitted #8 and I am taking a break for a few days before I dive into #9!
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« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2010, 12:49:46 PM »
Quote from: Beth Consugar on July 15, 2010, 12:34:44 PM
... I can't just do what I want!
Sure you can!

Seriously, YA chapters (MG, also) vary wildly, even within the same book. Think of the story arc of each chapter--the chapter needs to be long enough to cover that. Maybe that's ten or fifteen pages. Maybe it's three. Maybe it's twenty, although IMHO shorter is better...
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« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2010, 02:07:57 PM »
Chapter length is never ever going to be something an editor asks you to change unless you're writing early reader or levelled readers (and those tend to have fairly rigidly guidelines that vary by pubilsher). Now, you may hear that your chapter needs to end on a cliffhanger or your chapter needs a clearer arc, but it will never be about length.
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Londy Leigh
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« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2011, 09:20:38 PM »
Thanks so much for asking this, Beth, and for the responses, Kate and Jan.
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