Q&A for How to Write a Chapter Book

Yes but don't confuse your readers by adding too much conflict. You do not want them to lose interest in reading.

You can use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and you can also write by hand.

Write about something that interests you and your reader. It might help you to want to keep writing. Remember, if that book idea doesn't work out, you can use parts of it for future books.

Whatever you think people will read. I'm starting to write one and the best way to get people to read it is by adding a bunch of twists, turns, and cliffhangers. It'll make the reader have the urge to continue the story.

It's up to you. I must warn you, though, that too many twists could possibly confuse the reader, unless you have a really unique style of writing to help make the story line clear.

Chapter books can be about anything, including travel, science, history or fantasy.

You can start a book anywhere really, it's yours. You can time jump, or flashback, or anything along those lines. As long as you (and your readers) are happy, then you can really do whatever you, as the author, pleases.

That depends on your final vision for the book. Chapter books can be short or long, so the time you spend depends on how long you want the book to be.

Yes, some of the best chapter books are based on real people and events.

That depends on everything from the genre to the amount of pages, as there will naturally be more chapters in a longer book. Write your plot and divide it into as many chapters as you like. It's common to start a new chapter every time the scene changes, so see how many scenes your book has.

Write about your own life, your interests or someone who inspires you. Look to history, art or music for inspiration.

You can self-publish your chapter book by using an online, independent service, or you can shop your book to different publishers.

Word is really the best software to use, and most publishers require a Microsoft Word PDF document when they consider your story. If you don't plan on publishing it, you could try Microsoft Publisher or Notes. You can also try OpenOffice, which is a free software similar to Microsoft Word.

Start by making a list of general ideas you want to cover in the book, like the history of computers, how they have changed the world and what they may develop into in the future. Next, develop each section using your research.

Set the page by opening a document, going to the paragraph setting and choosing the "poem style' for the title.

Go back through the story and see if you have any loose ends or anything you need to wrap up.

That is up to you, the author, but I wouldn't recommend having fewer than 5 chapters.

The chapter page can be as long as you want. Some books have short chapters and some have long ones.

Think of an intriguing mystery and then come up with the solution. Craft your story so that the characters gradually uncover clues until they come to an exciting point where everything is revealed.

Yes, but it doesn't detect everything Microsoft Word does. Docs doesn't notice when you forget to capitalize an I, nor does it change your grammar or word choice to better suit your writing. On the other hand, Word doesn't always provide the most helpful advice, and its advice can seem confusing at times. I advise also looking into writing on Grammarly.com.

It doesn't have to make sense, but your book will most likely be more popular with readers if it does. Most people would rather read a book that is easy to follow and understand.

There are no real boundaries. Some authors write page long chapters and have over 100 in one book, some write really long chapters and have about 16. Some people don't bother with chapters at all.

Something is interesting to the extent that it is different from the usual or the normal. Your task is to create unusual or abnormal ways of describing people, places, objects and events. Good writers are typically people who possess active and vivid imaginations. You can actually develop your imagination by practice. Invent "crazy" descriptions, and re-word them until they make just enough sense that the average reader will understand them.

Consider real people you know or know of. What traits do they have that make them interesting or memorable? Incorporate some of those traits in the characters you create.

Fantasy stories often include a magical element, while fiction is merely invented story. If it helps, you can embellish a true tale, like a childhood memory.

Most readers appreciate the chance to read books and stories that are not similar to other writings. If you insist on making your creation similar to someone else's, change important details as much as possible (such as names, characterizations, events and settings). The more your work resembles someone else's, the less impressed your readers will be.

You know, a story just kind of begins. It's not rocket science, or even overly complicated. It starts with one word from the dictionary, and ends with one, too. Don't worry too much about where to start; just pick a spot and go. Imagine you're stranded in the desert: the sooner you start walking, the better your chances of survival. Pick any point of your plot and hinge the following points on that.

That's fine, although you run the risk of allowing the rest of your book to seem relatively boring. The most successful authors separate their "exciting parts" with material that may be less exciting but that manages to hold the reader's attention by building anticipation.

Only the reader can answer that question. Use your own best judgment when writing, and be very careful to describe twists/turns carefully so as not to confuse the reader.

Most authors find that past tense is the easiest to use. Some choose present tense to add immediacy and emotional impact.