: Is my opening chapter too short? I've just started writing my first proper novel, I've written short stories and started to write before, but never really had the motivation, but now I have

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If to you the chapter seems good, and it seems to be fulfilling your purpose for it, I would not worry about it now.

If it is too short, what that really means one of the following: either you didn't establish as much in the opening chapter as you think you did, or else there's some other major problem (e.g. it's short because you're infodumping, or because you've forgotten to type in the vowels). In other words, "too short" might be a symptom, but it's certainly not a problem in and of itself.

If it doesn't establish enough, you'll find that out as you continue writing. You'll realize you're missing key information which needs to be established earlier, and at some point you'll rewrite to include that. That's fine.

If there's some other problem, you'll find that out when you pass your work around for feedback. Someone will tell you that a character is unclear, and you'll find yourself adding in huge scenes to establish him better. Someone will tell you the opening isn't very gripping, and you'll decide to add in a major sequence to the very beginning.

Or, readers will tell you that it's terrific and you shouldn't change a thing. Because if you know what you're doing, and your only concern about your opening chapter is that other books have longer chapters at their start - well, then that sounds like a pretty strong opening to me :)

Bottom line: keep writing. "Too short" isn't a problem. If there is a problem, you'll find it - later.

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In my experience, and from research into other's writing and professional opinions, the length or lack there of does not matter. Only you can know when your chapter is officially over. If you feel you have accomplished what you intended when you wrote that first chapter, than it is a success. If you feel it is lacking, than it probably is. Reread it and see what questions it leaves unanswered. Maybe allow a beta reader (someone to edit and proofread) to look it over and get an outside opinion on what it needs or does not need if you trust others to help.

My first chapter of my current book is 6.7k characters (11.5 pages at size 12 Times New Roman). And I had a similar question at first, except in the realm of it being too long perhaps. But I came to the same conclusion, that though it may be longer than some other books, it accomplishes what it needs too:

It sets the scene,
Starts with trouble,
Introduces the main POV and his environment.

Does your short first chapter have at least these three things? If so than I would leave it as it is for now and continue writing. Otherwise you can remain focused on this one chapter and never make it to the next chapter.

Hope this helps and does not ramble. :)

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In my experience, chapter length does not matter. Your book may look more 'impressive' or 'official' with long chapters, but are they necessary to the book itself? No. As long as the first chapter does what the first chapter is supposed to do (be that introducing the protagonist, setting the scene, introducing the conflict, etc.), it doesn't matter if it is only 2.1k words.
To use an example, if you read Harry Potter closely, you'll find that there are a few good stopping places in nearly every chapter. If the chapter ended at every one of them, the book would have been the same, just with shorter chapters. Length really doesn't contribute to content.
Do keep in mind I am only an aspiring author myself, however.

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