Writing Saleable Fiction, or as Chris would say, “Write to Market”.

Beats vs Chapters

Writing your novel? Here’s what I am learning.

I am learning a new writing software, and it includes many good plot templates, including a “Save the Cat” beat sheet. But what is the difference between “Beats” and “Chapters”? The Difference Between Beats and Chapters in Novel Writing (With Creative Examples!)

When writing a novel, beats and chapters serve different purposes, even though they’re both essential for structuring your story. Let’s explore these differences — and make it fun by pulling creative examples from “Golden Girls “, “Superstore “, and “Monk “ to see how they play out in storytelling!

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What Are Beats?

Beats are the smallest units of storytelling. They’re the moments, actions, or decisions that move the story forward or reveal character. Think of them as the DNA of a scene — each beat has a purpose, whether it’s to build tension, deliver humor, or reveal a clue.

Beats often answer key questions:

- What just happened?

- How does the character react to it?

• What’s the next small step toward resolving the problem?