How long should my story be? Writing for Book Quality

Book Quality

You all have heard this debate before. You need more description in your story. You need to have this many pages. You need to write this many words a day.

But the truth is. It does not matter one bit how much you write a day.

It is easy to fall into that trap and even I, when I started felt like I needed to write so many words a day, to finish a book in this amount of time.

Then I started editing my work and realized my books sucked. I repeated myself way to many times because I was caught up in a word count. There was one book, early on, I took over 40,000 words out during editing.

Nowadays, I don't so much worry about how long it takes my to write a book because I am a lot more conscious about producing a book of quality instead of quantity. Also I've given up having a target goal for length. The story will be the length it is supposed to be, and there are times when you're stretching a story to much. If it needs to be shorter, that's okay. It's still going to be a great book.

But for your interest, here are a few guidelines.

Analysis of Book Length

1. Genre Considerations

Different genres typically have varying expectations regarding length. For example:

• Novels: Usually range from 70,000 to 100,000 words.

• Young Adult Fiction: Often between 50,000 and 80,000 words.

• Non-Fiction: Can vary widely, often between 40,000 and 100,000 words, depending on the subject matter.

• Reader Preferences: Some audiences may prefer shorter, concise reads, while others enjoy more in-depth exploration.

  
  

2. Purpose of the Book

The purpose behind writing the book also plays a crucial role:

• Entertainment: Fiction aimed at entertainment may have more flexibility in length.

• Educational: Non-fiction or instructional books may require more length to cover topics thoroughly.

3. Reader Engagement

Maintaining reader engagement is crucial:

• Length vs. Pacing: A longer book may risk losing reader interest if not well-paced.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Sometimes shorter books can deliver messages more effectively.

  
  

6. Author's Style and Voice

The author's unique style can dictate book length:

• Descriptive Styles: Authors who use rich descriptions may naturally produce longer texts.

• Concise Styles: Some authors prefer brevity, leading to shorter works that pack a punch.

Conclusion:

Neither one is wrong!

Write your book and write your story, and don't worry about everybody else.