For example the current story I am working on was supposed to be around 7000-7500 words long but I am already over 6000 and the end is not yet near.
Are you precise with your estimations?
When I write I usually expand conflicts, characters and other things so I think that for me it's a natural process.
Might as well throw in 1000, 2000 words more every time I estimate the length of a work in progress
Posted by BenM (Member # 8329) on :
I think it's a learned skill, knowing how much plot and character will equate to how many words. I've certainly got a way to go before I get it right.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
I've hit almost right on my target with my last two stories. But that's unusual for me.
I usually don't really worry about it. I let the story be as long as it needs to be. The only reason I worried about it for the last two was because they were for challenges that had a maximum word count.
Posted by Kitti (Member # 7277) on :
I can often estimate how long my original draft will be, but invariably when I go back to make edits my total word counts soar....
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
I usually know if something is going to be a short story or a novel. As to exact estimations I don't even think that way. Although if I'm writing a story for a specific contest or whatnot I can usually plan out a story close to as long as they ask for.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I used to have no idea and would just write the story the length I felt it needed to be.
I still do that but, if there's a word limit I can usually tell if my idea will fit within it. I can sort of 'feel' how long a story will be now.
When I outlined my current WotF story I had a feeling it would be too long. When I got a few thousand words in I could tell that would be the case. Fortunately, by seeing this early enough I could alter/simplify the plot slightly and shorten it before I had to chop it to pieces.
I think getting a handle on word count has a lot to do with knowing how you write. Your personal style will dictate how you approach a concept and how accurate you can be.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Somewhere along the way, I lost the ability to guess how long something will be...these days, I just start something, and by the time I've finished, twenty thousand words have bit the dust. Theoretically I'm just letting my work find its proper lengthy, but, really, I'd like to be turning out shorter stuff right now.
