Words, numbers, confusion

[smokingboot]

Well, here I am, confused about the length of my novel. I have been aiming for 50,000 words, because it feels good and tight, and because if my memory serves, there are three kind of print runs, 50,000, 90,000 and over. So much for my memory. New conflicting info now; some say publishers are looking for between 40 and 60,000 this year, others that there's no point stopping before 75,000.

Why is this important? Why is it so hard for me just to go with the flow? Cos in the past, editors have given me a specific commission including word count to reach, so I just write and keep writing. Then I go over it and hack it into tiny squeaking pieces. They know what they want*, and that's just fine with me.

This is different. Damned if I know how to do this for my own material, loved by me and unsolicited by the world.

More coffee. It isn't helping, it just gets me away from this screen for a while.

* In exactly the same way Tigger knows what he likes for breakfast.

Comments

[bytepilot.livejournal.com]

This time you're writing for what you want, so do exactly that.

It may seem like a an obvious thing to suggest, but these things must be said.
How about finding yourself an editor ?

Write the book, write the book unil the story comes to a pleasing and satisfactory end. Then stop, relax, putter around the house for a few days whilst the manuscript (copy1, copies 2 and 3 are safe in the house, copy 4 is off site) is read over by someone who "knows these things" and can gently suggest that the 17 page monologue that the hero delivers just before sparing the life of the ultimate bad guy could do with a little trimming.
They may also mention it in passing if there are any sentences which are just too long.

(hugs)

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

*smiles* I find your abundance of commonsense disturbing, and would request you to cease this bizarre activity before I send fighter pilots after you (no planes, just the pilots).

Not just wise, you cheer me up. Thanks!

[bytepilot.livejournal.com]

For some reason I hear the first part of that in the voice of Darth Vader.
I find your abundance of commonsense disturbing...
but the mental image is still of the mischevious pixie face of darling boot*
Now that's disturbing...

Will the fighter pilots bring me new socks ?


*Which should be dotted with lving kisses at every opportunity

Your etheric ears do not deceive you...

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

I certainly wrote it in that tone. Once upon a time I wanted to be Darth Vader, but I could never have handled the Grand Moff Tarkin.

How does a Grand Moff tark anyway?

Re: Your etheric ears do not deceive you...

[bytepilot.livejournal.com]

I want to to know what makes his Moff grand...

On second thoughts, I'm not sure I do.

Re: Your etheric ears do not deceive you...

[jfs.livejournal.com]

How many Moffs would a Grand Moff Tark if a Grand Moff could Tark Moff?

Darth Vader: Intergalactic Gimp for 'Zed' Tarkin?

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

Can't be sure, but it seems to entail Darth Vader on a leash *shudder* All that mask needs is a little red ball above the jaw line...