I'm Niesta

Niesta · Jul 27, 2005

Hello, everybody!

I stumbled across these boards entirely by accident, but I think it was excellent luck. I am writing a YA fantasy novel -- 63,000 words and counting, and I'm 2/3 of the way through -- and was flailing about in search of a guide to how long these things usually are (HP being the notable lengthy exception!). I ended up here.

A new message board is like a foreign country. I will try to catch on to the customs as fast as I can!

triceretops · Jul 28, 2005

Hello, and welcome to AW. Your book is as long as it takes to tell the story. However, there are some simple and general guidelines for a first novel. Between 70,000 and 100,00 words is an acceptable parameter, I do believe. Although I have no idea how long Rowling's first HP book was, and that one is YA too isn't it?

Triceratops

Niesta · Jul 28, 2005

Hi Triceratops!

As long as it takes?!? I was afraid of that! :faint:

Rowling's first one certainly wasn't as long as they've become, over time, but I'm not sure of the word count on that either. I hear (though I don't know how reliable my source was) that longer YA fantasy is becoming easier to get published, thanks to HP.

stormie · Jul 28, 2005

Believe it or not, there's a "young" YA and an "older" YA. Young being about 12-16 yrs. old, Older being 16-20 yrs. old. You really don't have to worry about that though. Just say you have a YA. Generally speaking, YA's are about 50,000 wds to about 70,000 wds. HP is the exception rather than the rule.

And welcome to the AW boards! Great people, great info.

Niesta · Jul 28, 2005

Thanks, Stormie! Yah, I think mine would fall into the older of the YA, but I won't fret about it yet. At this point, the goal is to get all the way to the end! And then I imagine a good hard edit is in order, and who knows what that will pare it down to.

Oh -- and I'm 3 blocks from the PACIFIC ocean! How 'bout that!

jdkiggins · Jul 29, 2005

to the Cooler, Niesta!

TemlynWriting · Aug 5, 2005

Welcome Niesta! So glad you're here!

I'm Niesta

Niesta

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triceretops

Niesta

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stormie

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Niesta

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jdkiggins

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