I'm one chapter short from finishing my novel

Hey, congrats Wark! It must be a good feeling to be so close to finishing. I wouldn't worry about word count for now though. That is bound to change when you go through the editing phase.

I don't think there's much difference between 100k and 113k in practice. It would be something like 30 pages in the printed book, so not a huge difference. If you sell it to a house that has strict length guidelines, they will ask you to trim or add to it accordingly, so I would concentrate on making it the best book--if it's better at 100k than at 92k or whatever you're aiming for, leave it at 100k.

But what do I know? I like long books.

What's the genre? Just something to think about when you're wondering about acceptable word count. Not that I ever pay attention to any of that stuff anyway.

First of all, congratulations!

And I wouldn't worry too much about going over 100,000 words if I were you. First of all, as others have said, your word count is going to change drastically during edits. Also, you said you already know you want to take out about 21k words from the beginning of your novel, which would take your first draft down to 89k, so it looks like you're in pretty good standing right now.

Good for you, Wark. Congrats on completing that first novel.

Wark said:

And by finish, I mean have it written so I can pick over it endlessly. I need to take Ch3, 4, and 5 and condense them down from 21k words to around, oh, negative ten or so.

It's 110k words long now, and I have the other chapter, which will be short, maybe 3k. But I didn't want to go over 100k.

How much is my commercial viability hurt by a 100k+ book. I'm hoping I can get it under the six digit area.

But, just had to kind of celebrate with the only type people who can relate. Very pleased with myself, but there is a ton of work to do.

Also, first novel.

Click to expand...

Congrats! The feeling that you get when you finish that last chapter, regardless of if it's edited or unedited...there isn't a better feeling.

Congrats on getting to the finish line. It's a wonderful accomplishment.

My question--why are you letting a word count determine what you cut or what you put in your story? The word count should be determined by the story, not the other way around. If you can cut several thousand words without altering the story in any way, those words probably weren't needed in the first place. But cutting words just to get to a pre-determined word count my risk cutting essential writing. I suspect you'll know how essential the writing is by how easy you find it is to make the cuts. If it is really difficult--you worry it will dilute the story or take out essential writing*--then damn the word count and leave it in. If well-written, a story will be the length it needs to be.

Your story, if good enough to get the attention of agents and editors, will have several sets of professional eyes help you make a decision about the ultimate story length.


*essential for the reader, not for the writer

Yay I finsihed a last chapter on August 8, 2005 -- it says so at the end of the chapter list. Unforgettable moments. Erm...I'm still editing

Grats! I wish you the best of luck with it.

It really depends on your genre. 110K is fine for sci fi/fantasy, historical fiction, thrillers or most general fiction. It is a bit high for most mysteries and some lighter romance, or MG/YA. (you don't see over 80K often in those genres)

But like all word counts, if the book grabs the reader from page one and doesn't let go, then all the words are doing their job. If that's what they story needs to be, that's okay. If you think it'll be stronger to trim it down, then trim it down.

Wow. You are so close. If I knew how to play an instrument, I'd play Chariots of Fire to inspire you towards that finish line.

Congratulations, once you write the end.

Like Neuro said, forget the word count. You'll cut and you'll add, during editing. Your story determines word count not vice versa.

Don't worry about the word count until you are done editing. and CONGRATS!!!!

Write it as long as it needs to be. Don't worry about the word count so much as the coherence of the story.