Polls For Fun

The Chatters
3965

Books on how to write and worldbuild. Yet I barely read those sometimes.

1 Like
3966

Huh. So you’d probably find middle grade, graphic novels and manga more your speed then.

3 Likes
3967

I prefer manga and webtoons more.

2 Likes
3968

Does this seem too long???

For now, I am starting with twenty chapters but if I am lucky and can surpass that and head on to thirty-nine, I should be fine. However, it is the word count that is making things…funny. I plan on writing from 5k to 9k depending on how I feel.
I crunched the numbers and 39 chapter with let’s say 5k is roughly 195,000 words in total. That is large. I do plan to shorten it in the edits/revisions, though.
Any thoughts on this?

  • Yes, that seems a bit too long/shorten it to a manageable size.
  • No, it isn’t that long, but I would still shorten it just a tad bit.
  • What’s the rush? You stated that you will make it shorter in the edits. Just write already.
  • Meh, I’ve seen longer…somewhere.
  • Are you going to post this story somewhere? If yes, then shorten it. If no, then don’t worry about it too much.
  • Other (explain in the comments)

0 voters

2 Likes
3969

That’s definitely not a lot, it would be for reading on sites though. So those chapters above 5k I would think about splitting in parts.

2 Likes
3970

Imagine if it was over 9k or something like that.
That is a lot for me. LOL!

1 Like
3971

Well I mean some have written over 9k but yeah most average at about 6k.

1 Like
3972

Oh, I sure that they have. LOL!

So, the average is 6k. That sounds interesting and possibly doable.

1 Like
3973

Well average between those books that are mentioned in the link. But considering most of them are well know best selling books it’s nice to know how far you can push the length and still make it.

1 Like
3974

Interesting and thank you for the assist.

1 Like
3975

there’s no such thing as too long as long as you’re managing your words purposefully and effectively. However it might be helpful for you to research the average word counts for your genre and target audience and let that guide your decision.

Like if you’re writing middle grade fantasy then 195k is more like 5 books.

1 Like
3976

Ah, I see. Yet my first book will have 39 chapters and will be over 5k.
So, my first book will be 195,000. :sweat_smile:

1 Like
3977

Like copyedit said, it all really depends on your genre and age range.

For example, I write adult fantasy and sci fi. The general consensus that I’ve heard is that those genres are generally longer than some others, and between 90,000 and 120,000 is fine for those genres.

It also really depends on what you’re planning to do with this story. If you’re writing it just for you, do whatever you want. If you’re going to post it to Wattpad or something, then I also suggest doing whatever you want :joy:

But if you’re planning on doing traditional publishing, it might be best to trim it down.

3 Likes
3978

Yeah, this will be an adult science-fantasy.
So, 195,000 for the first book is alright?

I won’t be posting it on Wattpad.
Maybe some other writing site.

3979

Even for print adult science-fantasy that’s almost double the normal word count. Just to give you an idea; that’s longer than the first Lord of the Rings book, which is a book series that is notorious for being extremely detailed and drawn out.

There’s nothing wrong with that, just know that you’re talking about making a massive book and that might deter your average reader. It will also make it harder for you to find someone to publish that book, if that’s your end goal.

1 Like
3980

Well, when I finish it, I do plan on shortening the chapters to a manageable size/length.

1 Like
3981

why not start with a lower word count goal then? just out of curiousity.

1 Like
3982

I am starting with twenty chapters and if I feel up to if I will try for more then I shall try more chapters.
Far as the word count, I suppose I can do over 2k to 4k.

2 Likes
3983

If you don’t mind me asking, why do you have word count goals at all? Why not just write the book in as many words as it takes to tell the story, and then worry about word counts and whatnot when it’s finished? You can always cut out extraneous sections then. ( ＾◡＾)っ✂

3 Likes
3984

Don’t know. I tend to focus on the things that don’t really matter. It is a personal thing…probably.

3 Likes