linking up/short chapters

[Stephen Palmer]

Anyone else have issues linking scenes up? My first chapter is very nearly 2000 words, the second is only about 1600, but I'm struggling to add to it. These two are both scene setting/introducing the reader to the world and in particular certain aspects of it before the revelation in chapter 3.

You say "only," but 1600 words and 2000 words for chapters are effectively the same length. Just carry on writing.

 

[Steve Harrison]

Anyone else have issues linking scenes up? My first chapter is very nearly 2000 words, the second is only about 1600, but I'm struggling to add to it. These two are both scene setting/introducing the reader to the world and in particular certain aspects of it before the revelation in chapter 3.

I'm now about 16,000 or so words in and have a number of scenes or sets of scenes of about 1000 words - too short for a whole chapter - and I'm struggling to work out how to link it up without adding unnecessary padding. Any words of wisdom welcome!

My last three novels are told from multiple POVs, so I simply headed each section (I don't consider them to be chapters) with the POV character's name. These ran anywhere from 200 to 3000 words, the length of each dictated by the story requirement. One of my works in progress is a first person narrative and I've decided to tell that story in equal length chapters because I think that will suit the overall rhythm of the novel.

My point is that the reason you are struggling to add to the second chapter may be because you may have instinctively hit on the right length and the story is resisting your efforts. In my opinion, uneven length chapters are perfectly fine and padding is obvious to readers.