I am beyond excited to turn my blog over to Loni Townsend today, as part of her This World Bites blog tour! Why am I so excited? I'm delighted you asked. First, Loni is a talented blogger and writer who always makes me laugh, and beyond that, she's a great and supportive friend. Second, I got to read This World Bites when it was still in its beta stage, and I loved it. Like flat out totally loved it. It's quirky and funny and engaging, much like its heroine, Cera, and full of hints and flavors of Loni's epic novel, Thanmir War. I highly recommend it.
And now, over to Loni!
Keeping it Short
by Loni Townsend
I'd like to give a huge shout out to Liz for allowing me on her blog. One of the things that makes me chuckle about her is her expressed inability to write a short post.
I too enjoy writing long, sprawling threads of text. My novel, Thanmir War, was 200K in its first draft, shortened down to 170K before release. I wrote another story--intending it to be a piece of flash fiction--and it turned into a 16K novella.
Writing something short didn't seem possible for me.
Word count terrifies me, because I know some people judge a story's quality based on word count alone. Oh, it's 170K? The story is probably poorly written, because the upper limit for that genre is 120K.
I read books that are well over 200K, but I know some people can't handle that length. Since I didn't want to exclude those people, I made it my goal to deliver something that was a mere bite in comparison.
I gave myself a word limit. I wanted to see if I could actually do it. This World Bites rolls in at 25K, right at that upper limit I gave myself. I intend that to be the length of all the Cera Chronicles. My husband says I could double the length and still be in the safe zone. I told him that wasn't the point.
Do you judge a story by word count? Do you like longer or shorter stories? Is 25K too short?
This World BitesIt’s her first day on a new world and Cera's already found trouble. Michael, her guardian, has been bitten by a zombie and will soon join the undead ranks.
Everyone tells her there's no cure, but Cera isn't one to be deterred. She’s willing to face off with zombie hordes, demon slavers, and black market informants if it means she’ll find a cure for Michael.
But she’s not the only one hunting for something.
Something is hunting her.
Buy it now:
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By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head.People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don't let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human. That's part of being a ninja—blending in.
She makes her home in Idaho with her sadistically clever—yet often thwarted—husband, two frighteningly brilliant children, and three sneaky little shibas.
Find her on her blog or social media.
Contact info:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads
Congratulations, Loni!
ReplyDeleteI like a variety. Depends on what I'm in the mood for. As for writing, I'll always be a man of few words and probably never creep far over my 75,000 word average.
I like a variety too. A good story is a good story no matter its length. This World Bites is just perfect the way it is! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me, Liz! *blush* I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDeleteIf the story is appealing, then length doesn't much matter.
ReplyDeleteI never look at word count and if I do, I prefer reading long books. I'm a Brandon Sanderson fans and his books are sometimes very, very long.
ReplyDeleteI love Brandon Sanderson too!
DeleteThanmir War is a big book! I haven't read it yet, but I plan to soon. I promise! :)
ReplyDelete:) I agree, it is a big book.
DeleteI don't judge books on their word count. If I like the subject matter, I will dive right into it, even if it's over 200K.
ReplyDeleteI've always been inclined to write longer pieces. And sometimes, during the mornings before work, I can write up to 3000 words in one session. My current WIP is up to 180K but I imagine I will be taking out scenes that don't help the story flow smoothly.
This World Bites sounds like a great read. I wish you the best of luck, Loni!
Thank you!
DeleteI don't think I've ever really thought about word count when it comes to books I've read. If it sounds like a good read, then I'll read it, regardless of how short or long it is.
ReplyDeleteAs for my own writing, well...I haven't really given it all that much thought, either. I just try to focus on telling the story and getting every necessary part in there. It's more about the story feeling complete. I would only shorten a story if something felt unnecessary.
That's how I feel it should be!
DeleteWord count typically comes into play when submitting queries to agents or publishers. And I've been judged a few times by critique partners who are pursuing that route.
It also doesn't help that I have an editor in my critique group who handles submissions for a small press. He judges on word count too.
If a novel is good, it's as long as it needs to be.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I absolutely loved This World Bites. It is made of awesome. I'm thrilled that you gave yourself a word limit. It clearly worked for you--and this book. I love challenging myself to word limits (though mine are 99 word flash or under 500 word essays). It's difficult and fun.
Thank you!
DeleteAnd I've enjoyed the flash fictions I've read of yours. You are very engaging and entertaining.
I think short can be fabulous. Backworlds is around 30K. You don't waste words if you have a limit, and I think it's an excellent exercise for a writer to undertake. A story shouldn't be longer just for appearances. It should only be as long as it needs to be. Congrats, Loni!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteIt is a great exercise, because then you have to judge what is important, and what isn't.
It can be tough to write short, because you really have to tighten things up. (I have never written more than 25,000 words in a book, so I really admire people who crank out the huge numbers!)
ReplyDeleteIt can be tough to write short, because you really have to tighten things up. (I have never written more than 25,000 words in a book, so I really admire people who crank out the huge numbers!)
ReplyDeleteTighten things up - yep! I totally agree.
DeleteSounds like a cute book. For me, I just write. I don't worry about word count. But then, publishers feel differently! Still, if you're self-publishing, it shouldn't matter. Just price accordingly so people don't feel they didn't get their money's worth.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI agree about the price. It's just figuring out what works best that's tough.
I used to write very long winded, but now it's easier to keep things short, even shorter chapters. I hear that makes for smoother reading on ereaders. Looking forward to this book! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it gets easier with practice. And that's a good note on the ereaders!
DeleteI always like high word count in drafts so I can edit and know mine will wind up being in the 70-80K range :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good range for your genre!
DeleteI hold no bias against word count, either high or low. I just want a good story!
ReplyDeleteOh my Tolstoy would go down the toilet if people only look at word count. So would many others. I say write what makes you...you! If the story is great, readers will love it no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThat is my hope!
DeleteI have the opposite problem--my first drafts are so sparse, I'm always having to add more. I think cutting must be easier! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you, Loni! I love your bio, by the way.
At one time I had a monthly newspaper column of 500 words. My first draft was always 800+, but by the time I made two edits I had it right where I wanted it to be and the writing was much improved. Congratulations on your book (it looks like your character is taking a bit out of the world instead of the other way around)
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's a lot of biting going on in the book. :)
DeleteI don't care how long the book is as long as it's good!
ReplyDeleteHere here!
DeleteOog, I loathe it when people dismiss longer works just for the word count. I have many awesome books on my shelves that go way past 200K words, and I wouldn't drop a single sentence from them. >_< I love long books, long as they don't feel like there's tons of filler, and if the author has the skill to write a good, long story, I say more power to them. Grr. Arg.
ReplyDeletePS: Liz, I answered the questions you left on my blog over there. You might like the answer to #2. ^_^
I agree!
DeleteWord count is definitely a sticky subject. While it can often mean bad writing, it can also often mean an intricate plot and lots of great detail, especially in fantasy. I struggled with too long word counts and have learned to reign it in a bit. Most of my books clock in right around 80k now. I love the premise of This World Bites. Nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input! It is a sticky subject, one that terrifies me.
DeleteI have a tough time getting to just the right word count, so I challenge myself with hint fiction, flash fiction, and short stories, as well as novella length and novel length fiction. I actually struggle with anything between 1,000 and 12,000 words - I don't know how to fit something in that size. I can go super short. I can go long . . . . long, long. But that middle "short story" size? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteWay to go with your book!
Word count doesn't matter to me. It's how much good stuff that's packed into those words that matters. and you had a lot of good stuff packed into Thanmir Wars.
ReplyDeleteAw, Thanks!
DeleteCongratulations to Loni! Sounds like an awesome story!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteEven Loni's bio is totally fun! I think the wordcount should be whatever the story needs, though I'm a slow reader so I admit to being a little scared of very long books. But then, some of my favorite favorite books are the thick ones.
ReplyDeleteMine too!
DeleteYou know what? I'm terrible at hitting the middle ground. Everything is novel length or flash fiction worthy. I think the longest short story I have is 12 pages. I applaud anyone who can hit the novella length target.
ReplyDelete