Part One: 183 pages (chapters 1-6) Part Two: 225 pages (chapters 7-11) Part Three: 75 pages (chapters 12-15)
So instead of having three acts of approximately the same length, I have a novel with a long set-up, an even longer middle, and then a quick wrap up at the end. (Come to think of it, that might actually work better.)
Actually, in the traditional three-act structure, the three acts are not expected to be of equal length. As a rule of thumb, the first act most commonly takes up approximately 25% of the work, the second act approximately 50%, and the third act approximately 25%. These percentages, however, may vary somewhat.
Your 483 total pages break down roughly into:
Part One: 183 pages (chapters 1-6) = 38% Part Two: 225 pages (chapters 7-11) = 46.5% Part Three: 75 pages (chapters 12-15) = 15.5%
This variation from the more usual percentages doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the current structure, just that the current percentages differ a bit from the rule of thumb.
If your structure feels balanced and works for the reader as is, then all is fine.
If, on the other hand, the structure should feel unbalanced or if readers should say something isn't working for them, then you may find it useful to consider the possibility that your first act might benefit from tightening and/or that your third act might be even more effective were it a little more fleshed out.
The traditional 25%-50%-25% proportion is meant to be a tool, not a rule.
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Part Two: 225 pages (chapters 7-11)
Part Three: 75 pages (chapters 12-15)
So instead of having three acts of approximately the same length, I have a novel with a long set-up, an even longer middle, and then a quick wrap up at the end. (Come to think of it, that might actually work better.)
Actually, in the traditional three-act structure, the three acts are not expected to be of equal length. As a rule of thumb, the first act most commonly takes up approximately 25% of the work, the second act approximately 50%, and the third act approximately 25%. These percentages, however, may vary somewhat.
Your 483 total pages break down roughly into:
Part One: 183 pages (chapters 1-6) = 38%
Part Two: 225 pages (chapters 7-11) = 46.5%
Part Three: 75 pages (chapters 12-15) = 15.5%
This variation from the more usual percentages doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the current structure, just that the current percentages differ a bit from the rule of thumb.
If your structure feels balanced and works for the reader as is, then all is fine.
If, on the other hand, the structure should feel unbalanced or if readers should say something isn't working for them, then you may find it useful to consider the possibility that your first act might benefit from tightening and/or that your third act might be even more effective were it a little more fleshed out.
The traditional 25%-50%-25% proportion is meant to be a tool, not a rule.