A 353 page manuscript times eight readers equals a lot of paper and toner. OfficeMax had a good deal on the recycled stuff, so I bought 10 reams ( 5,000 sheets ). Until this weekend, the novel existed in printed form as segments, usually the most recent 100 pages. Next time around, I might try the Koontz approach: write a chapter, revise 15-20 times, print and read the latest. If it meets quality standards, start the next, otherwise resume the revision cycle. I used the first half of his method with good results, just not the second. Tackling the lion’s share of the editing in place made for a very long gestation time. Perhaps more frequent print outs would improve efficiency.

On the economy of scales, I’m sold on the benefits of short chapters. They complement my writing style and force me to make each one matter. There’s passages that breath as Stephen King says, and there’s those that suck wind ( says I ). My strength is directness, not long narrative freak outs that draw the reader to hell and back. It works in some hands. Not in mine. Also, short chapters make for easier edits – nice bite-sized chunks. I suspect the next book the page count per chapter will fall.