Whitespace (Holly Schindler)

 In typography, whitespace (literally, the blank space surrounding type) can be a kind of negative space. 

That whitespace can often help ensure clarity. Or it can create a mood. Maybe simple elegance. 

In a broad sense, a chapter break can also be a form of whitespace. It offers readers a space, a pause, a breathing place. It's a break from type or graphics. It can help with clarity, too, as it allows readers a moment to take everything they've learned in this chapter and place it in their mental file folder. 

Whitespace is a powerful tool. 

So powerful, in fact, that I've been writing an entire series about chapter breaks on my Substack. I've been addressing types of breaks, the ways in which breaks heighten and release tension, how they manage time and POVs, and genre-specific considerations. 

To follow along each Friday (when new posts release), subscribe here.

I'll be compiling all of this into a course when I'm done. To be notified of the release, subscribe here. 

~

Holly Schindler is the author of The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky. She is also an editor and writing instructor.