Word Count issue |
Author: Rich DeRuvo (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 07-09-08 02:10
I have a problem. Okay, I write everything in a notebook and then when I finish I type it up as my final copy. It's a horrible way to do things but I can't be limited to my computer when I am creating the story so that's what I do. To gauge my word count I estimate words per page8 pages I've written etc. (It's horrible, I know). Well, here's the problem: I am in the process of typing and I realize that I will not hit the 40,000 word mark which is the minimum for a novel. I counted just under 50,000 in the notebook and now I don't now what to do. I wanted to try and get representation for this but I know that under 40,000 isn't considered a novel and now I think I will have a hard time. I can't just add random things to the story (filler) because unless I have a stroke of genius it will contribute no meaning and I need some advice. I have this problem that I can't write very long stories because I am very concise in my writing and I don't like to drag on. I don't know what to do, it's almost depressing that I haven't hit the mark. Anyone been in this situation? Also, if it does hit between 40-50,000 words is it really harder to find representation?
Thanks
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: d. Leroy (---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date: 07-09-08 09:43
Rich... I'm not sure where you're getting the word count for a novel, but 50k falls well short of the standard novel length as well.
As a general rule, novel lengths are between 80k - 110k words, the consensus on that varies by about 10k either way, but 50k isn't even close. You're into novella length at that point.
Unless, of course, you're writing YA, in which case, 50k would be in the ballpark. (I'll let the YA writers on this forum confirm if that's accurate, but I think it is).
You may be concise in your writing, and not dragging on, but if you're writing stories less than 50k in length, you're not writing novels. And yes, you can point out exceptions to the rule, but I wouldn't pursue that... the odds are already against you, no sense making it harder.
Good luck,
d.
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Jeanne Gassman (---.ph.ph.cox.net)
Date: 07-09-08 09:57
Rich,
You have a couple of choices. You can take that typed ms. and edit it down to a longish short story. If it's SF or fantasy, there are some markets for novellas or long short stories (around 20k). Or, you can flesh this story out into a full-fledged novel.
Here is the problem with your current working method. If you feel that the writing is simply a matter of typing out what you've written by hand, then you haven't even begun to edit and revise. It's fine to create a handwritten rough draft, but when you type it up, you should be able to see where the story needs fleshed out, where there are grammar/spelling/syntax problems, where you need to cut, where there are plot holes, etc. In short, your typed copy should be your editing copy. It's almost impossible to edit handwritten material well because it's harder to see your corrections and changes.
I would recommend that you type everything out, set it aside, and do some serious reading of books in your genre. Take notes on your reading. How does the author create subplots? What does he do to maintain tension in a scene? How is the dialogue balanced against the narrative? What is the POV?
THEN go back and look at your own work. What is missing to make it so short? If you take the time to read similar works, you'll start to see what you need to do for your own work.
After you've done all that, you'll be ready to revise that typed copy. Then take a look at this site to see what you need to do to turn an idea into a novel:
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
Good luck to you.
Jeanne
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Derek Wayne (---.mooreindustrial.com)
Date: 07-09-08 10:38
Rich,
Check out www.RENLEARN.com, under the quiz tab. They have the word counts for many, many novels. It's a kinda neat tool. Sadly you will see that 35,000 words is really short even for young-adult.
Being so short, I'm sure that there are some areas you could develop further. Maybe sub-plots can be added, or one-dimensional characters can be colored-in.
I think you're in a good spot...my problem has always been writing too much.
DW
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Rich DeRuvo (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 07-09-08 11:44
Thanks for the advice everyone I've been trying your advice for some time Jeanne but I don't know why I can't flesh out the story. Thanks, Derek, that made me feel better (although I was I had the problem of writing too much).
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Punky Fish (---.range81-157.btcentralplus.com)
Date: 07-09-08 16:17
Hi Rich,
The length of your novel right now is fine if it is a children's or YA novel. However, it sounds like it isn't, or you wouldn't be so stressed over it. And when you edit it you will most likely knock out a third of it so they you're down at least another 15,000 words.
Maybe try something else? I think it's good to be concise but if you don't have much to say on what you're writing about than maybe you can start another novel.
Or you could just put it away for a few weeks and let it bubble away in your head. That has worked for me in the past.
Good luck!
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Rich DeRuvo (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 07-09-08 19:46
Yeah. My problem is that for everything I write I now the EXACT ending and I think I unintentionally just go straight towards it and it kills the word count. I felt like there was a big chunk of the story missing but I don't know where and I don't know how I can just double the word count. Is it really that hard to find res representation if it is this length and not YA?
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: D.C. Eastman (---.dab.bellsouth.net)
Date: 07-10-08 07:17
I don't know what your story is about or how you wrote it, but go back over it in a couple of weeks and look for the following items:
There's a method I call "enriching," which fills out a novel and makes it longer and more interesting. Have you included descriptions of all your characters, major and minor, into the narrative? What about interiors, exteriors, weather, habits, mannerisms, dress? Do your characters have backgrounds, siblings, parents, other relatives, pets? All of these elements round out both the characters and the story, and give your characters reasons for their actions. Readers will get to know them and love them, or love to hate them.
NYC editors love all that stuff.
DCE
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Joe Zeff (---.lsanca.dsl-w.verizon.net)
Date: 07-10-08 14:09
Enriching can go too far, though. I remember reading a novelette by one of the Kellermans (I"m not sure which; the book had one by each, with no specifications of who'd done which.) where the writer spent a page and a half "enriching" the story by giving us a detailed description and background for a new character, spending three paragraphs on that character's appearance in the book and then never mentioning him again.
Then, the search for a suspect that could have taken up five or six pages was tossed off in two sentences or so. I was most disappointed, especially when you consider what I wrote above.
Enriching can be good, or it can be padding. Used properly, to make secondary characters come to life it's an important technique. Used as Kellerman did, for a walk-on, it's padding and a waste of words.
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Re: Word Count issue |
Author: Patrick Edwards (63.240.53.---)
Date: 07-11-08 17:25
What everyone else said, plus maybe you want to get some things down on the old computer, where you can keep a semi-watch on the word count.
Though I can't speak for another person, perhaps the freeing nature of typing--as opposed to the cramping style of actual writing--will allow the story to flesh out on its own, instead of you making a point of doing so. Figuring out ways to add words to something is a disaster-in-waiting in my opinion...but it can be done, so good luck if that's your road.
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rotsa ruck |
Author: Anthony Ravenscroft (---.farg.qwest.net)
Date: 07-12-08 13:06
What some call "enriching," others would call "lard-injection"!
Yes, the wordlength conventions are just that -- artificialities, arbitrary, imposed.
But they also serve a purpose, especially true for newer writers: the conventions limit B.S.
Yes, it happens. I've received mss from noobs where they utter non sequiturs like "my 27,000-word novel," as though calling it a novel makes it book-length.
Rail about the fences all you want, but you're not going to change 'em soon -- and DEFINITELY not with your first novel.
If you refuse to Compromise Your Sacred Muse, then don't. Set the manuscript aside, write something else, shoot for a commercial length -- longer or shorter. The only excuse would be if you are planning to be a one-hit wonder.
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