Which brings me to a question: how does a writer (any writer...but I'm YA, so let's focus on that) decide on chapter length? I realize each chapter needs a plot, a purpose, but do you strive for even length chapters or do you let one behemoth stretch out to tell the story? If any of y'all are writers out there, I'd be intrigued to hear your answers. For me, I'm trying to make them similar lengths, with some of the later chapters a bit longer than the initial ones.
Based on the news lately, it seems I've picked the worst time ever to try and sell anything--including a manuscript. On that note, I was reading literary agent Jennifer Jackson's blog the other day, and she posted (here) on the odds of getting an agent. She questioned, why an author would decide to brave such odds. I think, for me anyway, the answer is both complicated and simple. The complicated part is all about how I view my work and hanging on to childhood dreams, probably has something to do with my id or ego and perhaps my mother--isn't that what it usually is? But the simple part is that I think I'm the exception. Really. You know all the scary statistics? breast cancer, car accidents, identity theft...it doesn't matter, I always assume the odds are going in my favor. Funny though, this doesn't extend to random stuff like winning McDonald's Monopoly game. But, it does extend to my book. Because, let's face it--I think it's great.
