Friday, January 04, 2019

What to Do When Your Novel's Too Short

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

This week's Refresher Friday takes an updated look at ways to flesh out a novel that's too short. Enjoy!

Before we dive in, just a heads up that I'm over at Writers in the Storm today, asking the question--What Do You Really Know About Your Critique Partners? Come on over and say hello. 

Although most word count problems are too many words, the too-short novel does happen. I've talked before about things to do to bulk up a short novel, but today, let's look at a novel that's not just light on one writing aspect (such as not enough description or dialogue), but is actually, truly too short for the market or genre it’s intended for.

This novel has all the right pieces--a solid plot, good writing, good subplots, a complete and solid story--but it's not where it needs to be word count-wise. Just adding more “stuff” to it isn't going to solve the problem, because the book is working great right where it's at.

First, do a little research.

Will it work as is for your genre?


If the novel is a solid novel at a lower word count, look to see what the word count range of your target market or genre is. For example, while most fantasies are typically long, you do see smaller novels in that genre. A 65K-word fantasy novel might be fine and doesn't need to be expanded to 100K. Mainstream novels run a wide range of counts, so there’s a lot of wiggle room there as well. Same with the middle grade or young adult markets. You might discover that your novel’s length is unusual, but still within the traditional word count range for that genre or market.

(Here's more on word counts)

If not...

If the novel is under 40K-words, (and not in the middle grade or young adult market) then you likely have a novella. Novellas have always been harder to sell, as there are fewer markets for them, but in today's world of e-books, the novella has made a comeback. In some genres it’s even expected for the author to put out a few novellas in between full-length books. It might be worth looking at e-publishers and smaller boutique publishers who aren't as market-constrained as bigger publishers.

If the novel is in the 50-60K-word range, (short for most markets outside teens) then you can either submit it as is, and keep your fingers crossed that this is a book that might be a rare exception, or you can figure out a way to add enough words to it to squeak into your target market's low-end word count.

A 50K-word novel is roughly 200 pages (using the standard 250 words per page estimate). 60K-words is 240. Depending on your genre, you'd probably want to get those numbers up into the 60-70K-word range. Adding 10K words translates to roughly 40-50 words per page.

That's a lot of extra words for a novel that's already working, but it’s not insurmountable. Just as you can trim words without hurting, you can add a few back and not hurt anything. You can probably add a few thousand words to the count by tweaking here and there, adding a line of description per page or fleshing out bits of dialogue or internalization.

If that still doesn’t get you to your target word count, there’s a decent chance you will have to add a scene or two. A word of caution here. Shoehorning in scenes can feel like scenes shoved in, so be very careful about where and how you add a scene. It needs to serve the story and not just be extra words.

Diagnose the Problem


Before you add any scenes, try creating an editorial map and looking at the novel’s structure. You might discover your beginning is too short, or there’s not enough happening in the middle. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the perfect place to add a scene and fix the problem. If not, then you’ll at least have a solid map of your book to guide you in your revisions.

(Here’s more on creating an editorial map)

When you’re ready to add words, here are some of the easiest places to potentially flesh out:

Plot Turing Points and Climaxes


These major plot points require steps to reach them, so perhaps one more step can be added without hurting the pacing. Chances are you won't find it in act one (there's typically only one thing that triggers the novel's core conflict—the inciting event), but act two is filled with most of the plot’s turning points. The middle of the novel is all about trying an failing, so adding one or two scenes or even chapters might be workable.

Character Arcs and Themes


Since you don't want to put a "just to delay the plot" step in the way, you might try looking at your theme or character arcs here. Perhaps there's a situation that will present a plot obstacle as well as a character issue or thematic illustration. Look ahead to your ending, because you might be able to make a later moment more poignant by an earlier failure.

(Here’s more on common problems with middles)

The Beginning


If the opening is working, you might not want to mess with it, but you also might be able to further flesh out the set up or mirror something about the ending. Sometimes beginnings jump in too fast and you can slow things down a little without hurting the story.

The Ending


Perhaps there's more to wrapping up the story than you first thought. You might look for any loose ends or situations you alluded to but never followed up on. Subplots that are wrapped up near the climax are good candidates to add a step or two or make them a tad more complex.

A Victory That Could be a Defeat


Again, you don't want to craft a delaying tactic, but look at any situation where the protagonist won without too much of a fight. Are there ways to have them fail or struggle more to get that victory? Failure here would give you a reason to write at least one additional scene, maybe two or even three.

(Here’s more on creating stronger core conflicts)

Existing Delaying Tactic Scenes


If an obstacle comes up and the only reason it's there is to slow the protagonist down, it's likely a delaying tactic that isn’t actually moving the story along. But this weak spot is a perfect place to add words and fix the problem. Let that obstacle or situation have an effect and do more that just stall the protagonist. Add different stakes, change it so the outcome matters, let it trigger something for the protagonist. Whatever it does, the protagonist is now changed (no matter how small) because they went through this situation.

Secondary Character Arcs


Strong secondary characters might benefit from a character arc of their own, providing smaller subplots or extra layers in existing scenes. Look for any major secondary characters who could show another side of the problem, or mirror the choices the protagonist has to make, or characters who might face problems that would mess up the protagonist’s plans and add conflict to their goals.

(Here’s more on creating character arcs)

Story Themes


Your themes could add a few paragraphs or scenes as well. Look for places where you can deepen or show additional examples of your theme. Perhaps there are places where more description would round out the setting and show how the theme impacts the world on a greater level.

A too-short novel can be a troublesome beast, but you can get that word count where you want it to be with a little creative thinking.

Have you ever had a well-plotted, but too-short novel?

For more help solving plotting and structure issues, check out my book, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems.

Go step-by-step through plot and story structure-related issues, such as wandering plots; a lack of scene structure; no goals, conflicts, or stakes; low tension; no hooks; and slow pacing. Learn how to analyze your draft, spot any problems or weak areas, and fix those problems.

With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems offers five self-guided workshops that target the common issues that make readers stop reading. It will help you:
  • Create unpredictable plots that keep readers guessing
  • Find the right beginning and setup for your story
  • Avoid the boggy, aimless middle
  • Develop compelling hooks to build tension in every scene
  • Craft strong goals, conflicts, and stakes to grab readers
  • Determine the best pacing and narrative drive for your story
Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems starts every workshop with an analysis to pinpoint problem areas and offers multiple revision options in each area. You choose the options that best fit your writing process. It's an easy-to-follow guide to crafting gripping plots and novels that are impossible to put down.

Available in paperback and ebook formats.

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars, including The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. The Shifter, was chosen for the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book.

She also writes the Grace Harper urban fantasy series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.

When she's not writing novels, she's teaching other writers how to improve their craft. She's the founder of Fiction University and has written multiple books on writing.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Indie Bound



69 comments:

  1. Okay, so far I've only had the opposite problem. Too many words and unnecessary scenes. But I'll keep this in mind if I have the problem with my current manuscript.

    And congrats on winning the award at The Bookshelf Muse.

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  2. This also reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Heather Brewer. Her first book, Eight Grade Bites, was only 180 pages and yet she was able to get it pulished as a YA novel.

    A few months ago, I would had this problem, but I had learn how to flesh out my novel more.

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  3. Excellent advice. As a serious over-writer, I marvel at the ability to tell a great story in so few words.

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  4. Not to diminish those who've been in this situation, but I WISH I had that problem.

    Seriously though, and this might just be envy on my part, I just can't imagine in this day and age that being "too short" is a problem, even possible, when lots of people, myself included, are struggling for brevity and conciseness.

    That said, I was thinking it might be a good idea to have a future post about what brevity and conciseness mean for the different age groups.

    Since I'm starting to notice that what's concise for grade schoolers (Under 13, but older than 7) can be flat or vague for YA.

    Anyone else find this to be true?

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  5. I laughed when I read this. The LAST thing I need to work on is how to add words to a story to bring it up to the genre minimum.(I can get verbal diarrhea at the click of a mouse.) But I do agree on the process of how you need to add words. Don't just dump them in any old place. I personally would start with fleshing out characters, since a too-short work probably has the plot pretty much in place. Better characters will make the plot resonate more with a reader.

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  6. Book two of the Deacon Chalk series came in revised at 60,000.

    ONLY 20,000 short. lol.

    I went in, beefed descriptions, found that one thing needed expansion and added a salient flashback and viola! stronger book and it hit my 80,000 word mark.

    So look at what you have and make sure you didn't leave out any big scenes where you can add to the story or characters. Mine had driven from one place to another and that was in flashback, so I went in, told the scene of driving while having a head injury and it was GOLD. lol. Much more interesting than flashbacking.

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  7. I had to almost double the length of The Ghost on the Stairs, to match Aladdin's series guidelines for ages 9 to 12. I blogged about the process: http://chriseboch.blogspot.com/2010/05/making-muscular-action.html

    and also covered it in an essay in my Advanced Plotting book: http://tinyurl.com/4xfl7dp

    Writing long (and wordy) is more common, but sometimes you do need to expand. More plot is the key!

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  8. I just recently beta'ed a novel for someone that was shorter than they wished but worked well, and they had an awesome approach to how they wanted to expand it. They asked me, "As a reader, where/what do you want more?" Quickly, I was able to rattle off five items and that was enough to get her going again.

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  9. I do tend to write short. This post actually reminded me a lot of Toy Story (sorry, seen it too many times). The movie could have ended when they escape Sid's yard, but it doesn't. The ensuing action of trying to get back into the truck pushes the ending out, but it also makes a better ending. The movie's about friendship, and trying to get in the truck allows both Woody and Buzz to demonstrate selfless friendship. It also ties up the Woody vs. the Other Toys plotline ("Great, now I have guilt!"). But everything that happened with Sid is still relevant, because we needed that rocket.

    Sorry, I've been thinking a lot about endings!

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  10. Oh, yeah. I have about three novellas that I'm thinking about eventually trying to market as a set. The sad part is, I was trying to write short stories at the time...

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  11. Maybe I've been too ruthless when it comes to assassinating my darlings, because my novels tend to be on the slim side.
    I think this post ties-in nicely with yesterday's post about speech-tags. My work often includes pages of dialogue. I tend to only use speech-tags sparingly, so my work can look like:
    "speech,"
    "speech,"
    "speech," (for most of the page)
    by incorporating James B Tuck's suggestions, I can increase my word count by about 10%, and then another 10% with suggestions from today's post. So, I'm lovin this blog!

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  12. I've experienced this on a very small level, and going through it and adding scene and mood details helped a lot. Thanks so much for these great tips!

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  13. I have the opposite problem...bleh :P Always helpful to read your posts, though!

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  14. Useful advice, thank you! Although like many here, I'm more likely to write too long than too short. I've been stricter with myself lately -- there's no need to put every idea I've ever had into my first novel!

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  15. This is just what I needed to read. My stalled MG novel is only 10,000. I was beginning to think it would have to be a short story but it really fits the mood of an MG. I know I need to re-work the start and do lots of editing but padding it out sounds like you say to add scenes for the sake of it. I would guess though that a novella for children is harder to sell than a novella for adults. Thanks for the tips!

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  16. Natalie, thanks so much! It was quite the surprise. Too many words is more the norm, but short ones do happen :)

    C0, great example. It's more about the book than the word count, and a really great story stands a good chance at finding a home.

    Matthew, one of my favorites quotes is from Mark Twain: "Sorry for the long letter. If I had more time I'd have written a shorter one." Shorter is a lot harder.

    Taurean, that's a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion, and I'll do that for sure. I've noticed a difference in how information in conveyed (and what kinds) myself.

    Chris, hehe, well, I do try to cover everything :)

    Sarah, oh good! See, I knew there were too-shorters out there.

    James, awesome. Great tip.

    Chris E, double? Wow, that's a rough revision, probably harder for being a shorter market to begin with. Thanks for the link!

    Liana, that's a fantastic tip. You don't even need writer betas for that to help. Any reader can answer that question.

    MK, no worries, examples are always helpful. :)

    Chicory, uh-oh, hehe. Maybe you're just a novelist at heart ;)

    Jo-Ann, mine are usually slim as well, and for the same reason. (Do you dislike description by any chance? That's my problem. I always have to go back and add it) That's great that you found tips here. Lovin that too!

    Julie, most welcome. It often takes a lot less work than people think to adjust a word count. Small things add up.

    Laura, you're not alone there, most do have to cut. There are tips here for that as well. :)

    Wendy, exactly! It's hard not to, but it helps to keep an idea file. Of course, then you end up with way too many ideas and not enough time to wrote them, but that's more fun.

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  17. Catherine, MG has a wide range of word counts depending on age, so you might look to see where yours fits. If it's younger MG, 10K might not be as short as it feels.

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  18. Oh that is so good to hear Janice, thanks! I'll keep plugging away.

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  19. Janice, yes! Exactly! I'm poor at descriptions - I'm not a visual thinker at all. I'm much better at dialogue and voice, I guess I'm a verbal thinker. Then again, I assume most writers are as well.

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  20. Catherine, good luck!

    Jo-Ann, I think it's probably an even split. I hear a lot of writers talk about how they see the book unfold in their heads. Interesting how the mind works.

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  21. I've always been one who doesn't reach the max word count, even in school when writing essays, I tended to just write what I thought needed to be written because I'm a very straight to the point person. This helps keep my focus as I have a very short attention span at times and truthfully, I would love to see a few thinner books available on the market because those thick ones you see most often... they scare me a little.

    As a writer, I do worry that my brevity and lower than normal word counts will count against me but this post has me hopeful that maybe it won't.

    Thanks! ^_^

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  22. My current book is at about 43,000 words. Plus, it's a horror novel, so it probably would be unusual fit for the genre. Should I market it as a novella or as a novel? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :-)

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  23. Visionerinthedark, that's short for a novel, so you'd likely have trouble at that word count. Novellas are very hard to sell, though they are on the rise with ebooks. A lot of authors put out a novella between novels.

    If you want to go traditional publishing, I'd suggest developing the story more to hit the average word count for the horror genre. If you want to go self publishing, you could market it as a novella.

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  24. Thanks for the supremely helpful post! I often find that my problem is not over-writing but the polar opposite - I'm too terse; and thus my work - aimed usually at 100k words, falls short at 80K or sometimes less.

    I know about Showing VS Telling, but your points really help to illuminate some further possibilities as to the ever elusive "how."

    Thanks again,
    Coty

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  25. Coty, most welcome! Not sure if it applies, but I have noticed a lack of internalization if often found in too-short novels. That might be one area to check on :)

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  26. As someone who has run too short on a novel that should have been longer, I don't wish it on anyone. It's a lot easier to cut down than it is to pull the entire book apart and write upwards.

    If you are running significantly too short, look for a major problem with the writing itself (not with the story). I've had problems with structure -- mainly because I'm a pantser, and structure is entirely discussed from only the outliner side. If I follow that standard structure advice, I run too short and my chapters are very choppy, and I can't get subplots into the story. Likewise, I'm very bad at details and tend to leave them all out, so that's contributed to the length issues.

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  27. Linda, good tip. I've also noticed that too-short novels tend to be missing a layer. (description, internalization, setting, etc).

    I always have to go back and add details after, too :) Description is my least favorite part.

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  28. This is super helpful. I have a comic fantasy that is at roughly 50k. I have a subplot to add, but I'm still concerned that it will be lean. My problem is that I got so excited writing the big scenes that I rushed to those. Now I'm really wishing is just written eadjacent add it came and later priced them together because going back to rewrite thought is confusing.

    Oh, why couldn't I have Scrivener already???

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    1. It's easy to download. You can use it for 30 days for free, and those are any day you log in, not consecutive. If you like to write out of order, or move scenes, Scrivener is definitely helpful.

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  29. Just found this excellent post, thanks so much! I attempted a novel several years back, and it clocked in at a sad 55k. I've been too scared to try a novel since, though now with this article, it doesn't seem quite as overwhelming. Thanks again!

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  30. In attempt to make EVERY word and scene exceptionally important to the plot, I edit so much that I'm left with a nearly bare backbone. I'm at 35,000 words and everything lies neatly in place. This article helped me consider situations that could bulk up my story. I think I can make it to 60k-80k.Thanks!

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  31. In attempt to make EVERY word and scene exceptionally important to the plot, I edit so much that I'm left with a nearly bare backbone. I'm at 35,000 words and everything lies neatly in place. This article helped me consider situations that could bulk up my story. I think I can make it to 60k-80k.Thanks!

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  32. What about the idea of combining 2 or 3 somewhat linked or related stories into the same novel?
    Gale

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    1. As long as they all make up one overall story, sure. But it's more challenging to do this type of novel. It can come across as three separate books in one. Unless of course, that's the goal, and it's really three linked novellas with their own contained plots set in the same world or following a similar theme or whatnot.

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  33. Thank you for this post. I am having this problem, rare as it is.

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    1. Hope it helped. Good luck fleshing out the novel :)

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  34. My first novel's first draft was about 17k words. The final version ended up more like 79k. >_>

    I've gotten more "accurate" since, but I'm still more prone to writing short than to writing long. I have a story right now that needs about 5k added, and this post should help me find the spots to slip it in. Thanks! ^_^

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    1. Wow, that's a lot to add. You pretty much wrote a very detailed synopsis and then the novel, lol.

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  35. I typically underwrite first drafts. They come in around 50-55k and I always feel panicky. But when I begin to edit, I discover that I've got action and dialogue, but not much else. By the time I finish polishing I'm around 80k. I guess it's just the way I write. I can't fill in the nuances until I finish the novel.

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    1. I'm exactly the same. I just finished my first novel at 40k. I got all the action and dialogue, but it lacks descriptions, introspection, and I failed to develop the secondary characters. My goal is 80k. I find it hard to write without knowing how it ends. Now that the plot is clear, it's easier for me to dive back in and add more stuff.

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    2. That's not uncommon, especially if you're more of a plot-writer than a character-writer. I'm like that as well. I'll even leave myself notes, like, [reaction] to add in later.

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  36. My 13K novel looks like a summary of a longer one. Seems like I should add some fresh expressions and expand it to 20K.

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    1. Just remember...20K is still more of a novella than a novel. Which is fine if that's all the story needs to be, but if you're aiming for a novel, you'll want to hit closer to the 60-80K words mark depending on your genre. (Or less if you're writing for kids, those can go as low as 30-50K words).

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  37. Thank you so, so much for this. I seem to be stuck with the rare Curse of Brevity, in which I completed my novel at just over 30k. Even my short stories come out smaller, and my planned novella turned into more of a novelette. Reaching word count goals on essays is the bane of my existence. I can't imagine why this is such a struggle; I definitely love writing. I just finish telling my story with too few words.

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    1. Most welcome. Hopefully this has given you some things to try and you'll get your word count where you want it ;)

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  38. Sorry for being late to the party, but I just read this blog post. One question: When you say the standard 250 words per page, are you referring to a typewritten double spaced page? My experience with almost every printed book I’ve read has been around 300 to 330 words per page. 250, yes, for a monotype font manuscript page, but printed books tend to be upwards of that. I’m talking about trade paperbacks and hardbacks mostly, not the more compact mass market paperbacks — so I guess that makes a difference, too.

    Thanks. Just curious because I’ve seen the 250 words per page before, and it never quite fit with what I read in print.

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    1. Questions and comments are always welcome :)

      Manuscript pages (Such as Word), with standard manuscript format (12 pt type, double spaced, one-inch margins). It will vary a little naturally, but it's a good benchmark.

      Since printed book vary with sizes and fonts, you'll see both higher and lower than 250 depending on the book.

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    2. Thanks! By the way, love your site.

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  39. I am 12 and I am writing a fantasy novel. My aim is at least 75,000 words because I think that the plot needs that. However, I am only on 4,500 (after 2 months) and, with where I am in the story line, I should be on at least 15,000.

    Any help? I would really appreciate it :)

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    Replies
    1. This article really helped though, thanks!

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    2. You have a few options. You can go back and add more to the story to reach your 15,000 word goal, or you can keep writing and see how the first draft turns out. It's not uncommon for stories to change as we write.

      You can also look to see why you came up short. Are you fleshing out your scenes enough? Are you telling instead of showing? Do you have enough plot? Are there enough obstacles and challenges in the way of your protagonist's goals?

      Sometimes I think it's going to take a few chapters to have a piece of the story unfold, and it only takes one, so it's possible you just underestimated how long some of your plot points would take. Odds are other points will take longer, and it might balance out in the end.

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  40. Really good stuff. I feel like the ideas I got from reading this article are going to solve my problem. Thank you!

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  41. Hello everyone.
    This was an amazing article. Writing a novel, and based on my calculations, it will come out to be around 55 -60k words, as it is now around 35k. This is a futuristic fantasy book. But the length isn't my main problem, i just need some guidance here please!

    Ok... I am 13 years old, already a dedicated writer. I have written other books but haven't been as passionate and never considered publication. But i really like my current book. What about my age, though? Also, wondering how much of your life publishing a book sucks up. As a kid in school, would i even have time? how much stress would be put on my parents?
    THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will appreciate any help!
    -a young writer

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    Replies
    1. The one nice thing about being a writer is that you can set your own hours and work when you want. So you can write when you have time and focus on school when you need to.

      You can get punished at 13 (some have), though it's very difficult. I actually wrote a post about it, so look there for more details:

      http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/04/youre-never-too-young-or-too-old.html

      For a guide on how to write a novel, you might start with my at-home planning workshop. It should get you started.

      http://blog.janicehardy.com/2017/09/get-ready-for-nano-at-home-workshop.html

      The revision workshop can also be useful:

      http://blog.janicehardy.com/2015/02/at-home-workshop-revise-your-novel-in.html

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  42. hi,
    wondering is 55k too short for a novel? Fiction, sci-fi novel? Thanks so much.
    Macy R

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    Replies
    1. For an adult novel, probably. They're usually between 80-100K. But there are shorter novels in the genre.

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  43. I loved this post. I always write short and find that reviswion is where I add more. Janice, you are so right that when this happens a writer needs to go back and look at description, subplots, etc. I write YA and try to make 70000+ my ultimate goal.

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  44. Thanks! I write short as well. I think that's actually easier than having to cut. "This needs more" is less work than "What can I get rid of?"

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  45. Very useful since I have a novel lacking length. Thanks.

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  46. Thanks for the post, I enjoyed reading the comments as well. Since most writers seem to have the opposite problem (of writing too many words) it might seem like mine is one to envy, but don't be fooled - like someone here already said, it's still a lot easier to subtract than to add. Funny thing is, I've never had a problem with writing long essays and I think I can, in general, babble on for ages, but I've read so many writing advice along the lines of "omit needless words, avoid unnecessary adjectives" that it's hard to shake it off. Also, I don't particularly enjoy overly long descriptions in books (unless truly masterful). Anyway, only 13k words into my novel, I started to feel like I'm heading towards the climax way too fast. I went back and discovered things like that a very crucial scene - my protagonist meeting her love interest for the first time - and in very special circumstances, too - only took three pages! I'm fixing things like that and trying to build up the tension way more. I hope I can get to at least 80k when I'm finished with the whole thing. Whew!

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    1. It's possible you have a novella and not a novel, which run a lot shorter. 30K words would fit that format.

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    2. Thanks for the response :) I still have all the major events ahead of me, I just wouldn't want to have to add a bunch of stuff after I'd already written the final scene. So far, I've managed to add 2k here and there, especially in the love interest scene I've mentioned, which, I'll admit, works far better now, and I try to be more detailed as I continue to write (also, thought of an arc for a secondary character that nicely bides some of the story together). It's YA sci-fi, and I'd like to be able to sell it (I know, a girl can dream) so I'm trying to aim for the minimal word count at least!

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    3. Keep working then :) Dreams are good, and worst case, you can always aim for a different market with this story and develop a larger one next book.

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  47. Thank you for this post! I frequently struggle with my manuscripts being too short(normally just over 50k), and with this round of editing I'm trying to do my research so I know how to lengthen it without seeming to 'delay the story', as you say.

    Again, thanks so much for your help! I have so many notes now on how to add to my story!

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    Replies
    1. Oh good! Glad I was able to help. Good luck with your revision :)

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  48. I was super pleased to find this article. It's really helpful to think through what you could do to lengthen a book. I've already written two adult novels which were around 80,000 but I'm currently writing my first YA and I'm enjoying the faster pace. I've hit 46,000 and I've not got much more to go, but really want to edge beyond 50,000 so this'll give me some things to consider! Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Most welcome! With YA, fleshing out the internalization and emotional layer is something to look at. YA has a lot more of that than an adult novel.:)

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