Section 4 of 13

Word Count & Chapter Planning

A rough size and shape for your book. Rough is the key word — everything here is a starting point you can change at any time.

Target total word count

Just the number — for example: 80000

Do you picture short chapters, long chapters, or a mix?

This sets the chapter sizes the calculator suggests below. You can change it any time.

Shorter — quick, punchy chapters that pull the reader along Longer — room to sink into a scene A mix of both

The chapter calculator

Divide your word-count goal by an average chapter length and you get a rough chapter count. Here's how your goal breaks down at different chapter sizes:

Your working chapter count

Click "Start with this" above, or type any number you like — your call, always.

Just a starting point. Chapters can be any length, and your count will likely shift as you outline and draft — that's normal.

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