Can you have a novel chapter with no action??

[Hellomatey001]

Slightly odd question which I hope book editors can answer.

I am a third of the way through my first novel and wanted to ask can you write a chapter where there is no action e.g. a character pacing up and down reflecting after an argument and processing their emotions?

My training is mainly in TV scripts where this time of thing is definitely frowned upon, as it would be considered a wasted scene that does not move the story along, but in a more detailed novel can you have a chapter like this?

*type of thing - darn autocorrect !

I think you can. As long as:

• it's not pages and pages long

-It's thinking about a problem or reflecting on what's gone on before and thinking of solutions/coming up with a plan

Basically that change takes place in the character/their goal during the scene

Yes-but the chapter still has to move the story on.

If the character is soliloquising to themselves then they need to reach a conclusion-even if it's "yes I'm justified in this because....".

So if they go in saying "I'm not sure if I should do this" then reach the conclusion "yes I am right to do it" or they could start with "this is the only option" and move to "actually there are other options, I need to see XYZ to decide".

Thank you both!