When writing our novels, it’s far too easy to forget that every little part is a working mechanism of its own. Like the chapters. Each one is unique in its construction and in the tidbits it reveals. It’s not just a matter of flowing one chapter into the next without some idea of the individual chapter’s construction. What we must remember is that each chapter is like a short story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. However, the ending shouldn’t be too final. Some authors like to stop with a cliffhanger so the readers can’t put the book down until they have read further to find out what happens.

That being said, we must also think cleverly about the beginning of each new chapter. If each chapter has a beginning, a middle and an end, then it stands to reason that each new chapter should begin with an interesting first line – a hook to retain the reader’s interest. After all, each new chapter is the next step in the ever-developing plot. Carry the story along; keep it moving forward. Follow your outline!

As you work through the novel and complete one chapter in anticipation of starting the next, consider asking yourself these questions:

- How did you finish the chapter?

- Is the ending satisfactory, without giving away too much?

- Does the ending grab the reader’s attention, driving them forward to the next chapter?

- Now, how do you plan on starting the next chapter?

- Do you have an enticing hook line to pull the reader forward?

Some other things you might want to consider as you move from one chapter to the next:

- Does your new chapter flow smoothly from the previous chapter?

- Is this new chapter a completely different setting with new characters, point of view, and time?

- Is the transition clear for the reader to follow? If not, you may want to consider rewriting the first paragraph of this new chapter to set the time, point of view, and location. Your readers are jumping from one chapter to another and have no idea where they’re landing unless you tell them.

Need more ideas on how to link your chapters? Well, the best resource is other novels. We already know (at least, I hope we do), that as writers, it is important to read, read, read. You can never read enough. You learn from the authors you read. Make sure you select books from many different genres and styles. If you only read one author, your writing will sound just like that one author. You want to create your own, unique writer’s voice.

As you read, study the way the author connects one chapter to the next. What techniques does he/she use? Does he/she end each chapter with a cliff-hanger? Kathy Reichs does that in all of her novels. The end of each chapter usually shows something is about to be discovered, but you don’t find out what until the next chapter.

The important thing to remember as you work through your novel is that each new chapter is the next step in your plot. Carry the story along; keep it moving forward. Link your chapters sufficiently so you don’t lose your readers. And read. Not just your work, but the work of others as well.