Comments on: 6 Signs That Your Writing Isn’t Finished Yet http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:33:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cheryl Loftice Gillman http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-389797 Cheryl Loftice Gillman Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:43:46 +0000 http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/#comment-389797 I have a first publication which is the beginning of a four book series. The third book is finished but the first one was just launched in September, 2008. Word count and number of pages was not a consideration. A complete story that can stand on its own and yet the characters draw the reader in and leaves one wanting to follow them through the next years. 'A Hero Finds Rest' is not a different subject because there is nothing new under the sun. However, it is a different take on the common Civil War Era drama in that the characters make life at that time seem real instead of actors in a play. I have a first publication which is the beginning of a four book series. The third book is finished but the first one was just launched in September, 2008. Word count and number of pages was not a consideration. A complete story that can stand on its own and yet the characters draw the reader in and leaves one wanting to follow them through the next years. ‘A Hero Finds Rest’ is not a different subject because there is nothing new under the sun. However, it is a different take on the common Civil War Era drama in that the characters make life at that time seem real instead of actors in a play.

]]> By: Erin http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-94539 Erin Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:07:46 +0000 http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/#comment-94539 Hi Matt-- Good point, and you spotted a hole in my explanation. The formula we use to determine word count figures about 300 words/page in a trade book. So, 160 pages is 48,000 words. I agree that length shouldn't be the primary concern when you're writing, but once you're considering sending a manuscript in, it's an important issue. Thanks for catching my slip! --Erin Hi Matt–
Good point, and you spotted a hole in my explanation. The formula we use to determine word count figures about 300 words/page in a trade book. So, 160 pages is 48,000 words.

I agree that length shouldn’t be the primary concern when you’re writing, but once you’re considering sending a manuscript in, it’s an important issue.

Thanks for catching my slip!
–Erin

]]> By: Matt C. http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-78486 Matt C. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:23:52 +0000 http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2007/11/29/6-signs-that-your-writing-isnt-finished-yet/#comment-78486 I just caught this entry. I like it overall, but I have a big issue with Tip #1 (page-count). The first two sentences are fine, but after that, you're forgetting your audience (if I may apply Tip #3 in a non-smart-assed way). If you're working in a word processing application that is set to a default 8.5 x 11" and it's double-spaced, how exactly does "160 and 400 pages" in the typical trade book compare, proportionately speaking? First, is it not more effective to be discussing word-count rather than page-count? The former is a universal measurement whereas the latter cannot be effectively compared between what you find on the shelf of a bookstore and what you stare at on your monitor (unless of course you have a means to convert the measurements of one to the other for easy comparison). Lastly, and this is certainly subjective, page-count/word-count shouldn't be the writer's chief concern (at least that's how I interpret "Tip #1") - I think it's putting the cart before the horse to instill anxiety over the volume of one's work as opposed to the content (which is well-reflected in the ensuing tips). Page-count/word-count *is* (in the end) a substantial consideration before submitting, but there are too many writers out there hyper-focused on whether their Word doc is "too long" or "too short", which inevitably gets in the way of the work itself. Regardless of this - I do like your blog and have it bookmarked :) I just caught this entry. I like it overall, but I have a big issue with Tip #1 (page-count). The first two sentences are fine, but after that, you’re forgetting your audience (if I may apply Tip #3 in a non-smart-assed way).

If you’re working in a word processing application that is set to a default 8.5 x 11″ and it’s double-spaced, how exactly does “160 and 400 pages” in the typical trade book compare, proportionately speaking?

First, is it not more effective to be discussing word-count rather than page-count? The former is a universal measurement whereas the latter cannot be effectively compared between what you find on the shelf of a bookstore and what you stare at on your monitor (unless of course you have a means to convert the measurements of one to the other for easy comparison).

Lastly, and this is certainly subjective, page-count/word-count shouldn’t be the writer’s chief concern (at least that’s how I interpret “Tip #1″) – I think it’s putting the cart before the horse to instill anxiety over the volume of one’s work as opposed to the content (which is well-reflected in the ensuing tips).

Page-count/word-count *is* (in the end) a substantial consideration before submitting, but there are too many writers out there hyper-focused on whether their Word doc is “too long” or “too short”, which inevitably gets in the way of the work itself.

Regardless of this – I do like your blog and have it bookmarked :)

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