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How many scenes in a 80,000 word novel?

How Many Scenes in an 80,000 Word Novel? You Might Be Surprised

What Is a Scene, Really?

Before we jump into the math, let’s get something straight: a “scene” isn’t just any chunk of text. It’s a self-contained unit of story. A goal, some conflict, and (usually) a consequence. Boom. Scene.

Scene vs. Chapter: They're Not the Same

A chapter can contain one or more scenes. Some chapters even have a single long scene (think literary fiction), while others might chop and shift rapidly (like thrillers or fast-paced romance).

So yeah—just because your novel has 30 chapters doesn’t mean it only has 30 scenes. Nope. Often, it’s much more.

Typical Scene Length in a Novel

Here comes the nerdy bit—don’t worry, we’ll keep it real.

A scene in most commercial fiction hovers around 750 to 2,000 words. Let’s say the average is 1,200 words.

Okay. You got an 80,000-word novel? Do the math:

  • 80,000 ÷ 1,200 = around 65 to 70 scenes.

But hey, that’s just a ballpark. Some authors write tight, punchy scenes (500–800 words), especially in thrillers or YA. Others let the scenes stretch out, especially if they’re more introspective or dialogue-heavy.

Genre and Style Make a Huge Difference

Thrillers and Action Stories

Expect shorter scenes. Think fast cuts, high tension. Could be 80–100 scenes in an 80K novel. Sounds like a lot? Trust me, they fly by.

Literary Fiction

Slower pacing, deeper dives. Scenes might stretch 2,500 words or more. So maybe only 35–40 scenes in the same word count. Different vibe entirely.

Romance, Fantasy, Historical

Usually somewhere in the middle. Around 50–70 scenes is common here. Though fantasy can balloon if you’re juggling multiple POVs or timelines (hello, 120-scene epic!).

Planning vs. Pantsing: Structure Changes Everything

I once worked with a writer who outlined 60 scenes... then drafted and ended up with 93. Why? She discovered more emotional beats that needed space. (Totally fair.)

Another pal plotted just 30 scenes and still hit 80K because each scene was a beefy 2,600 words. Wild, right?

So honestly, it depends on how you roll. Are you a plotter with color-coded index cards? Or do you wing it, scene by scene, like you’re discovering the story as you go?

Final Thoughts: Don’t Obsess Over the Count

Look, you’re writing a novel—not assembling IKEA furniture. The number of scenes isn’t a fixed formula. What matters is:

  • Each scene drives the story forward.

  • The pacing feels right for your genre.

  • There's variation—slow moments and high-energy ones.

And if you end up with 68 scenes? Or 79? Who cares. As long as they work together and the reader’s turning pages, you’re golden.

How much height should a boy have to look attractive?

Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.

Is 172 cm good for a man?

Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years)
14 Years112.0 lb. (50.8 kg)64.5" (163.8 cm)
15 Years123.5 lb. (56.02 kg)67.0" (170.1 cm)
16 Years134.0 lb. (60.78 kg)68.3" (173.4 cm)
17 Years142.0 lb. (64.41 kg)69.0" (175.2 cm)

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.