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About "Writing Great Chapters"
Writing Great Chapters
The answer to this popular question is simple: one to two unicorns.
To write chapters that flow well: orient your writing around your protagonist's attempts to get what they want or avoid what they detest.
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How to End a Chapter
Ideally, a chapter ends with a change — either for the protagonist or the reader.
Start each scene by re-connecting the reader to the protagonist.
Look at your novel's best scene: did you forget to include… THIS?
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Pulses and Motion
Great scenes rely on two opposites: forward motion that keeps the protagonist working against the clock (plot) and sparks / pulses of character motivation that show the reader how the events are affecting their protagonist (narration). Here's how to blend them.
Novels aren't only about the plot. Some of the most memorable passages in a novel come from its lyrical moments.
A paradox: in order to keep raising the tension in a scene, you have to take breaks.
What about novels where you simply MUST share a lot of information about the fictional world: historical fiction, fantasy, sci fi etc? Here's a more advanced technique for mingling drama and exposition.
Why people like your protagonist
Here are two theories about human psychology: they are almost everything you need to create a great protagonist.
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Protagonist First Aid
If you notice you've let the reader drift away from the protagonist — use the next scene to deliver emergency first aid.
Linking Chapters and Scenes to Create a Page-Turning Book
This is so simple: at the start of each chapter, just repeat.
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The Ladder of POV
It's often a good idea to pull back at the start of a chapter.
You can reveal anything as long as no one is paying attention.
Crucial Scenes for your Novel
Here's an easy way to show that the story is changing your protagonist.
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Frustrated Exposition
Sometimes you just need to do an info-dump. Here's one way to make it work.
Not all scenes advance the plot. Some, instead, clarify it.
When it's time to deliver a dramatic, unforgettable scene — here are two great techniques.
Dialogue is tricky to master: here are five shortcuts
Give each minor character a dominant mood. After all, most people don't change!
Layering detail and description
Heighten your setting description with drama and variety.
Use the "heads and tails" trick when you're writing in a hurry.
Okay. Don't get angry. But it doesn't matter what shade your love interest's eyes are.
You've learned so much in this course. Let's use these lessons to sketch out a novel together, right now.
Let's put these techniques together to write an unforgettable chapter
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Final Thoughts
Thank you so much for taking this course.
About the Teacher
Daniel is the creator of the "character-first" approach and the host of his trio of annual summits. He writes a semi-daily newsletter to almost six-thousand writers around the world.
Hi, I started reading Jade City and I am hooked.
I was never one for gangsta movies or books but her very first words got me:
“The two would-be jade thieves …” What a wealth of information and intruige in this six words! It instantly hints on danger and disaster: would-be is only used for not sucessful. So I needed to read on to find out how they floundered.
And there is even more information in it:
-they are no regular thiefs, so they are newbies.
Jade must be very important, if they try to steal exactly that and not ‘jewels’ or money. I am at awe here!
By the way, my reader shows me that this novel has over 1100 pages, is that true or do I have a strange copy?
If so, would you please also mention the chapters, Daniel? It would be easier to follow then. Thanks!
I received the paperback edition today, which is 495 pages. Chapter 1, The Twice Lucky is page 1; Chapter 2, The Horn of No Peak on page 10; Chapter 3, The Sleepless Pillar on page 19; Chapter 4, The Torch of Kekon on page 31; Chapter 5, The Horn’s Kitten, on page 40. Since there are 57 chapters plus an Epilogue, I won’t go through the entire book.
I’m really liking Jade City so far. I’m on the second chapter.
I enjoyed the start of Jade City and had to stop myself reading beyond two chapters. It was so easy to read I underestimated the skill in the way the dialogue was written. A lesson well learned.
Hello Daniel I am an aspiring screenwriter who wants to learn and writer character-driven screenplay. I want to have a deep and thorough understanding of characters, character development and character arc.
Please directed me to the appropriate place.
Thank you
Intrigued by your comment on the importance of mid-point in Midnight Library… I’m writing a memoir/ family history so didn’t think this could apply to my work – but maybe it does???