In a novel, how many words, per average, in each chapter?

Question

In a novel, how many words, per average, in each chapter?

Answer 1

You must be able to count and calculate an average. Just select what you consider a typical novel as a sample.

beware of the doomsday machine.

Answer 2

There is no average. A 19th century Russian novel could have 10,000 words per chapter.  Lawrence Block, an American crime novelist, periodically will have a chapter of one sentence: 'The gun went off.'  

Answer 3

Just to echo what others have already stated to you, but I think it also depends on the style of writing too. I have recently read Cormac McCarthy's No place for old Men - and the book had both long and short chapters - possibly to help it achieve its progression in to another genre i.e film, for instance.

I have been trying to write a book myself for a number of years and it has changed so many times. But essentially the crux of it has stayed true - must finish it though!

  

Answer 4

A novel isn't based on words per chapter. For a novel you just need a wide range of well developed characters. It would depend on how short the novel is, how short the chapters are and a number of other things. Try taking out any novel and counting the words in the first chapter. Then work to that amount.

Answer 5

Misery, by Stephen King, has a chapter that is about 3 lines long. So...I don't know if there is really an accurate average.

Answer 6

1000000000000000000000000000000000000000...                                                      let me just think

Answer 7

However many is necessary.

If a chapter is complete with a few lines, then that's fine, similarly if it needs a few thousand words, that's fine.

A lot of people tend to average it out at about 3000-4500, but it's not really important how many words, so long as the chapter has everything it needs to have in it.