I read really quickly. But usually I don’t automatically gravitate toward books on the shelf that are thick when I’m browsing at the bookstore.
Thick books usually equal lots of characters, complicated plot lines…maybe even a family tree or a map at the beginning of the book.
If I see a family tree at the beginning of a book, it’s going back on the shelf. I wish I had that kind of time, but I don’t.
Long Book Avoidance doesn’t happen when it’s an eagerly awaited sequel or part of a series I’m reading. I just finished the many-paged Private Patient by P.D. James. But I start out with an advantage with series books—I already know some of the characters.
Right now I’m writing 70,000–75,000 word books. I think my reading preferences have seeped over into my writing preferences. Maybe someday I’ll want to make a stab at some epic saga of a book, but that day has definitely not come yet.
Thoughts on Word Count:
Personally, it’s not something I like to think about when I’m writing. But I can tell if I’m in the right ball-park with my word count as I’m writing the first draft.
One editor (Moonrat’s) thoughts on word count for debut novels: summing up, the highest word count she’d recommend for a debut would be 100,000 words. She thinks that some editors would rather see 80,000. She says:
“There are practical reasons for this rule! It’s not (entirely) that editors are close-minded pigs. The reason is 100,000 words casts off at about 480 typeset pages. That would make your book…well, a lot of pages–astronomically expensive to produce. Since literary fiction (particularly debuts) sell in smaller numbers than genre fiction, the potential profit margin on your book would be even lower than on another debut. Publishers would be very, very wary of the financial risk they were undertaking.”
If you’re looking for just general, ballpark information on word counts for various genres, try: http://tinyurl.com/lm2dyu . Ronnie Smith, the author of this article, is careful to remind the reader that these are generalizations.
As for me, I’m going to look forward to the day when I can study a novel’s maps and family trees to my heart’s content.
My own reading preferences vary wildly. I must admit that while I’m working and busy I like stand alone, relatively short novels. A problem when my main reading genre is fantasy, but not impossible. On holidays and in slower periods I’m more likely to read a series I’ve been awaiting or have a go with a more ambitious project. As for writing, it depends if I’m working on YA or something older. My first ms came it at just over 60000 words but it is undergoing changes so we’ll see where it ends up, but the YA story I just finished is only just over 40000 words because it targets a younger audience with even less attention span than me.
Thanks for giving us something to think about.
I’m a fairly sparse writer and I prefer books written that way as well. But I have to admit, I did love “War and Peace.” Now there just isn’t enough time.
Karen
Since my reading time comes in short spurts and breaks in editing, I usually prefer something short and fast to read — ones I can keep up with, even if it takes me a long time to finish. But I have read some of those long, hefty books – ones you need a car to carry around, not a purse. In some of those, I’ve dearly wished for a family tree in the back.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Cassandra–Fantasy is usually longer than many other genres, isn’t it? Is that because of complicated plot lines?
Helen–Oh, that’s even worse! NEEDING a family tree for reference and not having one. I end up wondering who the heck all those people are.
my current novel which is now nearly at the end of a 2nd draft is about 84 thousand. I am completely obsessed with word count! I count my words all the time and want to know the word count of each novel I read. I like to read HUGE novels (except not Russian as I cannot keep the names straight) and middle sized novels and snappy little novels. I read at a breakneak speed and probably read about four hundred or more novels a year. I like a nice fat one with maps and room plans and geneaology charts but I have NO memory so it is a bit of a bust – I just do the best I can and hope I get the gist of it.
I have noticed that the more established a writer you are (Elizabeth George, Reginald Hill, Susan Hill) the fatter your novels get. I really really want to finish my second draft so I’ll stop talking and reading and get writing. I love this topic though – OCD much?
Labanan–Good point about the established writers. I think that goes back, again, to the fact they have an established readership, so the publishers are happy to let them up the word count (the pubs know they’ll still have profits.)
Karen–I’ll admit I haven’t read “War and Peace.” I’ve read some other Russian lit….LONG, all of it, but good. Wish I had more hours in the day.
Elizabeth
When it comes to reading, I like to read books that are the “proper” length. Tell the story in exactly as many words as needed, then type “THE END.” Long or short, it doesn’t really matter if it’s good.
As for writing, I shoot for 80,000 words (give or take, of course). That just seems to be how my writing brain is wired. Fewer words and the story isn’t told properly, more words and I feel like I’m padding.
I also write in the 80,000 word range, but I love reading a longer book that captures me with great characters and plot. Like you, I havne’t had the time to tackle anything like that in quite a while. I have good intentions though. I recently bought a couple of Anna Karenina. It’s in the third bookcase full of books I haven’t read yet.
Geesh, I didn’t see any of those typos until I published the comment. I need to have my glasses checked!
Great post…and very informative. As much as I like to think I’m in this business for the “craft” of the written word, at the end of the day, I still have to pay my bills. Your insights are valuable for those authors who actually hope to make a profit from their artistic endeavors. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly
http://kbkeilbach.blogspot.com
Long Book Avoidance is a great term, and I identify with it!
Interesting topic and thoughts on it. One thing I’ve noticed is that when an author gets famous, their books get longer. Not necessarily better, just longer.
The Old Silly
K.B.–It’s all about the bills. Honestly, I’m totally over the “I’m an artist” stage. Because, realistically, if we can’t get published, no one can read our little gems of knowledge.
Martin–I always feel a little guilty, though. Like I’m not trying hard enough.
Marvin–Maybe they just ramble? Or maybe their editors just don’t care anymore. After all, the pubs will do well w/ their novels, no matter what.
Alan–I know what you mean. I have this great idea to write a saga w/ the Irish potato famine (I know, sounds bizarre), but I just don’t know about the word count. I’m worried I’d feel I’m padding it with description, which I usually skip over while reading. I think I’m a 75,000 word gal.
Patricia–Oh, I have a bookshelf like that, myself! Well, one day we’ll have enough time. I hope!
Quite a few shorter ones out there – not epic but more urban fantasy or dark fantasy. I’m not a huge fan of reading six books to find out that good triumphed again.