Word Count Woes

AshleyEpidemic · 12-04-2012, 01:27 AM

Most people suffer from too many words in their fantasy novels, but I am having the opposite issue at the moment. Currently my WIP is hovering around 50k words, with probably another 30-35k to go. That will leave it at about 85k. I am terrified that for a fantasy that will be too short.

There is other material that I can draw from, as I plan for it to be a series. I don't want to exhaust the majority of the twists in this one series. Not to mention, the next chunk of material doesn't connect well to the tone of this chunk.

Is 85k really okay for an adult fantasy? Or should in my first revision should I focus on adding an additional subplot?

Alexandra Little · 12-04-2012, 01:57 AM

You're fine. Many push upwards of 100,000, but it's not required.

Ian Isaro · 12-04-2012, 10:06 AM

Adult fantasy may trend longer, but 85k is still a novel. Most publishers say their range is 80-120k; the highest I know of is Pyr, which says it doesn't accept fantasy under 95k. In general you're going to be fine: don't damage the story to aim for a target that won't matter much to most people.

Mr Flibble · 12-04-2012, 12:51 PM

85k isn't drastically short. The book in my sig was hovering around 90k when I subbed

Might depend on sub genre though - epic fantasy tends to run longer for instance, but you're not outside the realms of possibility.

waylander · 12-04-2012, 01:41 PM

Keep writing, another complication for your MCs will occur to you.

Beth Raymond · 12-04-2012, 03:24 PM

I anticipate that mine, when all is said and done, will be on the shorter side as well (around 85K). I'm not worrying about it too much, now, because I tend to write more as I edit. Also, as Waylander said, I can always add another conflict if I want, and weave it back through, as necessary.

But if it ends up at 85K, it is what it is.

EMaree · 12-04-2012, 03:26 PM

Get it beta read. It might be fine, or there might be some holes in the world building that another set of eyes can catch for you. I had the latter problem with my novel -- it was too short because I hadn't fleshed out the universe enough.

Beth Raymond · 12-04-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMaree

I had the latter problem with my novel -- it was too short because I hadn't fleshed out the universe enough.

This is a good point. Most of my adds-while-editing is done to better describe the story's world, and I've found that a little world building scattered throughout can ramp up the word count pretty fast.

annaka · 12-05-2012, 02:29 AM

The other thing to keep in mind is the cutting that usually comes as part of editing. I tend to be verbose, so losing 10% in editing is a good target for me. Hopefully you are tighter

Hopefully the world-building supplement will counteract that, though . . . .

TheRob1 · 12-05-2012, 03:53 AM

I find that I usually grow the story quite a bit in the rewrite. My first draft on my current wip was just around 75,000 words. I'm anticipating breaking 100k on the second pass.

So, if all else fails you can always do a word by word/ scene by scene rewrite.

AshleyEpidemic · 12-05-2012, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annaka

The other thing to keep in mind is the cutting that usually comes as part of editing. I tend to be verbose, so losing 10% in editing is a good target for me. Hopefully you are tighter

Hopefully the world-building supplement will counteract that, though . . . .

My writing does tend to be scant on the first attempt. When I do pad areas for clarity I tend to get too wordy. Truthfully, editing is the bane of my existence and I burn out before I get through enough passes.

It is good to know the word count isn't a deal breaker.

Little Anonymous Me · 12-05-2012, 09:47 PM

I'm right in the same boat (check out my sig), and I'm trying to find areas where I can expand without bogging down. My plot is tight, and it has enough going on that more would be absolute overkill, so I'm focusing on the world building. Sneaking in a paragraph here and there is helping me along. I think some of us just tend to be rather compact in our wordage.

BRDurkin · 12-06-2012, 01:49 AM

My advice would be to just keep writing the book. Get it finished before you start worrying how long or short it is. Sure, it's good to have a general word-count goal, but I wouldn't get too worked up about needing to add or take out stuff until you're done with the first draft. If you're only at 50K and already worrying about length, I think you're jumping the gun. These nagging little worries can sabotage a project before it ever gets finished. I know from experience!

TroyJackson · 12-07-2012, 04:46 AM

I pay no attention to word count until maybe the end when I'm curious. My advice is to not worry about it. Just write however much it takes to get your story the way you want it, whether that's 75k, 85k, 100k+.

Phaeal · 12-07-2012, 05:01 PM

A handy NaNoWriMo trick: If your main characters are Sargath and Jilla, rename them to something like this:

Sargath Sei Gargleroth and Jilla Jo Jeen.

Instant word count boost!

Or just make sure those 85K words shine and give the market a chance to decide.

12-04-2012, 01:27 AM	#1
AshleyEpidemic Azarath Metrion Zinthos Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 566	Word Count Woes Most people suffer from too many words in their fantasy novels, but I am having the opposite issue at the moment. Currently my WIP is hovering around 50k words, with probably another 30-35k to go. That will leave it at about 85k. I am terrified that for a fantasy that will be too short. There is other material that I can draw from, as I plan for it to be a series. I don't want to exhaust the majority of the twists in this one series. Not to mention, the next chunk of material doesn't connect well to the tone of this chunk. Is 85k really okay for an adult fantasy? Or should in my first revision should I focus on adding an additional subplot? __________________ WIPs: Life in a Wasteland -- Horror -- trapped in the ether Of Brass and Smoke -- Fantasy -- Preparing for the wild The Throne vol 1 - Epic Fantasy -- Patiently waiting for edits The Throne vol 2 - Epic fantasy -- Writing

12-04-2012, 01:57 AM	#2
Alexandra Little What a desolation. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, but my heart belongs to London Posts: 1,037	You're fine. Many push upwards of 100,000, but it's not required. __________________ The Obligatory Twitter.

12-04-2012, 10:06 AM	#3
Ian Isaro New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tanzania Posts: 413	Adult fantasy may trend longer, but 85k is still a novel. Most publishers say their range is 80-120k; the highest I know of is Pyr, which says it doesn't accept fantasy under 95k. In general you're going to be fine: don't damage the story to aim for a target that won't matter much to most people. __________________ Blog, Facebook, and Goodreads Sorcery and Scholarships is available at Amazon, Smashwords, or Createspace. Urban fantasy for people who wonder why so few urban fantasy characters have read urban fantasy. "This book is exactly the kind you like to read and you should buy it immediately." - That Author You Respect

12-04-2012, 12:51 PM	#4
Mr Flibble They've been very bad, Mr Flibble Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: We couldn't possibly do that. Who'd clear up the mess? Posts: 15,781	85k isn't drastically short. The book in my sig was hovering around 90k when I subbed Might depend on sub genre though - epic fantasy tends to run longer for instance, but you're not outside the realms of possibility. __________________ The Rojan Dizon books, book one out now from Orbit Website Twitter

12-04-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
waylander Who's going for a beer? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,188	Keep writing, another complication for your MCs will occur to you. __________________ Behind the smile, there's danger and a promise to be told.

12-04-2012, 03:24 PM	#6
Beth Raymond New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mid-Atlantic Region Posts: 31	I anticipate that mine, when all is said and done, will be on the shorter side as well (around 85K). I'm not worrying about it too much, now, because I tend to write more as I edit. Also, as Waylander said, I can always add another conflict if I want, and weave it back through, as necessary. But if it ends up at 85K, it is what it is. __________________ Read my fantasy serial, Secrets of the Conclave, online at JukePop Serials. http://bethraymond.blogspot.com Follow me on Twitter! @Beth_Raymond Facebook Author Page

12-04-2012, 03:26 PM	#7
EMaree is drinking tea Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,444	Get it beta read. It might be fine, or there might be some holes in the world building that another set of eyes can catch for you. I had the latter problem with my novel -- it was too short because I hadn't fleshed out the universe enough. __________________ Website/Blog- Twitter Writing: Seamonster YA Revising: YA Urban Fantasy with giant robots With Agent: YA Urban Fantasy with angels and demons Published: MG Fantasy "Dragon Tamers" & "Dragon Tamers 2: Digital Tempest"

12-05-2012, 02:29 AM	#9
annaka New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 28	The other thing to keep in mind is the cutting that usually comes as part of editing. I tend to be verbose, so losing 10% in editing is a good target for me. Hopefully you are tighter Hopefully the world-building supplement will counteract that, though . . . .

12-05-2012, 03:53 AM	#10
TheRob1 Trained by the soft master Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 252	I find that I usually grow the story quite a bit in the rewrite. My first draft on my current wip was just around 75,000 words. I'm anticipating breaking 100k on the second pass. So, if all else fails you can always do a word by word/ scene by scene rewrite. __________________ Cavalry by the grace of God

12-06-2012, 01:49 AM	#13
BRDurkin Trigger-Happy Pyromaniac Writer Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lakeview, OR Posts: 677	My advice would be to just keep writing the book. Get it finished before you start worrying how long or short it is. Sure, it's good to have a general word-count goal, but I wouldn't get too worked up about needing to add or take out stuff until you're done with the first draft. If you're only at 50K and already worrying about length, I think you're jumping the gun. These nagging little worries can sabotage a project before it ever gets finished. I know from experience! __________________ Latest Blog Post - Updates and Inspirations (04-03-13) WIPs: Kricket's Song - Beta Reading (Fantasy) Kricket's Key - 65,525/90,000 (Fantasy) "Abyss" - Sci-fi Short for Kindle, Rated 5 Stars (7 Reviews)

12-07-2012, 04:46 AM	#14
TroyJackson practical experience, FTW Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 152	I pay no attention to word count until maybe the end when I'm curious. My advice is to not worry about it. Just write however much it takes to get your story the way you want it, whether that's 75k, 85k, 100k+. __________________ Come visit me at: http://www.tempestworks.com Also on: Facebook Twitter

12-07-2012, 05:01 PM	#15
Phaeal Whatever I did, I didn't do it. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,250	A handy NaNoWriMo trick: If your main characters are Sargath and Jilla, rename them to something like this: Sargath Sei Gargleroth and Jilla Jo Jeen. Instant word count boost! Or just make sure those 85K words shine and give the market a chance to decide. __________________ SUMM0NED (Coming from T0R, 2014) Real magic becomes real trouble when Sean summons the wrong familiar -- the big, toothy one with a taste for the neighbors. And so it goes...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode