Marry Christmas!
-How long should it be?-
From what I remember from my English classes, “When writing a paper report-” two to three sentences is usually enough for one paragraph. Which is perfect for journalistic type writing. Because, they favor short paragraphs with their narrow columns. Otherwise, even one short paragraph can look, or seem long. You may never know if your reader will even bother to read such. Having a limited amount of time in their day to take a peek. As you can probably tell by now; I like to use run-ons quite often. For they annoy my oldest sister to no end and it comes naturally to me.
It is different when you type for a book though. You can have three, to six, or more sentences for one paragraph. Also depending on how long the sentences are so that your readers wont be staring at it like their eyes have had enough. The words and letters start swirling around in their brains. Noting how the writer had become more focused on the information they wished to share in their story.
Ever had that happen?
It could be because you’ve been reading to much. Must rest those eyes sometimes!
Alas! We fiction writers use long and short paragraphs. Commonly varying it’s sentence lengths. Though, I have heard of a few instances where only one sentence was used in a paragraph. Apparently they are not uncommon. You shouldn’t over use them though. As that one sentence paragraph will catch the attention of your reader(s) more so, then the actual story. If you wish for a more dramatic ending of your story/book, I have heard that a, ‘one sentence paragraph’ can do the trick. It can abide/endure and lure your readers in.
Did you know that a long paragraph in a story can often mean that the narrator is obsessing?
Quote from a man name Coake (That I found online if you want to know): “Focusing inward, moving from outward observation to memory or close examination or even stream of consciousness.”
This one lady suggested that in fiction and nonfiction, the average length of paragraphs should range from 100-200 words. To keep the original paragraphs concept, “One paragraph represents one idea.” But, to also not be afraid of varying it. To keep your readers interested, your desired pace, and flow of what you’ve written.
There is no rule against the way you write your story/book!
Makes you wonder about books and stories? I have read many books and gone through more educational ones. Finding myself noticing that the average amount of pages in one chapter is 5, to 10, to 18. On a rare occasion, up to 25 pages. Even closer average of 5,6, or just 8. For a more formal, “Like a history book” it has an average of three pages for a chapter. So what is the proper amount of pages in one chapter? What do you readers suggest?
When I had been in fourth, or which ever grade, I remember my teacher telling us(the entire class) that one chapter is three paragraphs. That you can have more then three. But, it can not have less then three, or it becomes improper. Like a text or a personal note.
Which is one reason why I truly appreciate the guide rules for Dokuga’s, Oneshot Chapter stories. Even if I can not help myself and I accidentally go over the 500 words. In a way it can be quite challenging to type such short chapters, when you may have been typing the longer ones, your entire life. So three cheers to those who write Oneshot Chapter stories!
What I am wondering is what do the, "Readers" wish to read, length wise?