1. TerrorOfTheNorth

    TerrorOfTheNorth New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2010
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0

    Novel Should I start each chapter on a new page?

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by TerrorOfTheNorth, Dec 19, 2010.

    I'm writing a mystery novella which I aim to get published during my spare time, writing each chapter in a notebook before typing it up at home when it's done. My question is, when typing each chapter up, should I start it on a new page?
     
  2. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2010
    Messages:
    5,101
    Likes Received:
    3,203
    Location:
    Queens, NY
    I don't think there is a hard-and-fast rule on this, but as a matter of practice, I always do. I just insert a page-break.
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    yes... agents/publishers prefer that, so chapters can be taken out and passed around...
     
  4. Newfable

    Newfable New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2010
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    California
    I've read plenty that start on a new page, and plenty that didn't. Personally, I'd think that it depends on the publisher.

    Though when you're writing it, I'd say to give it a page break; it makes for easier editing, in my personal opinion.
     
  5. Reggie

    Reggie I Like 'Em hot "N Spicy Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2010
    Messages:
    678
    Likes Received:
    22
    Location:
    USA
    I always start a chapter on a page break, which makes it easier for me to find the next chapter. I think you should do that, although it might not be a rule.
     
  6. Show

    Show Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    35
    I always give each chapter it's own file to make editing easier. I can always fuse them when it comes time for sending them somewhere. But searching a large document for a chapter is too big a headache for me.
     
  7. Mallory

    Mallory Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2010
    Messages:
    4,267
    Likes Received:
    199
    Location:
    Portland, Ore.
    Ninety-nine percent of books I've seen have a new page for each chapter. Orwell's "1984," as I recall, is one that doesn't.
     
  8. TerrorOfTheNorth

    TerrorOfTheNorth New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2010
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ok, thanks a lot, I'll put in the page breaks. Now I think about it, "1984" is the only book I've read that doesn't start each chapter on a new page.
     
  9. Noya Desherbanté

    Noya Desherbanté New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    wishing I was somewhere else...
    For me, I put in page breaks only when I'm sending it off somewhere - I find having one chapter kind of melt into another makes for better continuity. :)
     
  10. SashaMerideth

    SashaMerideth New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    California
    I tried doing the chapter-per-file thing but it didn't work with how I write. Now, I just put in a page break after each chapter. If it ever goes to a publisher, they can decide how to format it if they're really that desperate to change it.
     
  11. Jaybrownuk

    Jaybrownuk New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    UK
    I prefer to read material that's written that way and I tend to write this way myself 99% of the time.
     
  12. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    the subject here is not printed books, but mss that are meant to be submitted... and the ms should definitely have each chapter beginning on a new page, regardless of whether the book will be structured that way, or not...
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice