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    Everything you need to know about the length of your story and genre
    16Jun, 2024
    Everything You Need to Know about Finding the Perfect Length for Your Genre and Story

    Everything You Need to Know about Finding the Perfect Length for Your Genre and Story

    Have you wondered how long your book should be? It’s a good question and one of the critical decisions writers face when writing a book. What is the ideal length for your genre and story? Think about it in terms of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You don’t want it too short, or too long. The length of your book needs to be just right, especially for the genre you write. Keep reading, because this is everything you need to know about the perfect length for your genre and story.

    The perfect length for your book can greatly impact its marketability and how willing potential readers will be to give it a try. For these reasons, understanding the factors that influence book-length and genre-specific expectations is important. Let’s dive in!

    Factors that Influence How Long a Book Should Be

    1. Genre and Reader Expectations

    Each genre has its own set of conventions regarding book length, which means readers of those genres have built-in expectations. As an author, you need to be aware of and adhere to these norms. For example, readers of romance novels are primed for a quick-paced, engaging read, while fantasy readers will expect detailed world-building and an extended narrative.

    2. Story Complexity

    The complexity of your plot, characters, and world-building will impact your book’s length. For example, a multi-layered story with intricate subplots will naturally take longer to fully develop. On the other hand, a single plot line, as in a novella, or minimal subplots make a book more straightforward, which means fewer words.

    3. Target Audience

    Know the preferences and reading habits of your target audience. Young Adult (YA) readers, for instance, often prefer shorter, fast-paced books, whereas adult readers might enjoy more in-depth, leisurely-paced reads.

    4. Publishing Format

    How an author intends to publish their book also matters. Traditional publishers have specific guidelines for different genres. Conversely, self-published authors have more flexibility primarily because ebooks don’t have the same physical constraints as print books.

    Being up on current market trends is always helpful when you are thinking about the perfect length for your genre and story. This can provide insights into what readers and publishers are looking for. If shorter, high-concept books are trending, for example, you can choose to jump on that bandwagon.

    Genre-Specific Expectations for Book Length

    1. Literary Fiction

    Typically ranges from 70,000 to 100,000 words. Literary fiction focuses on character development and thematic depth, often requiring more space to explore complex emotions and narratives.

    2. Mystery/Thriller

    Generally falls between 70,000 to 90,000 words. These genres thrive on suspense and pacing, and a tighter word count can help maintain the tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

    3. Romance

    Ranges from 50,000 to 90,000 words. Romance novels vary widely, with category romances being on the shorter end and historical or epic romances being longer to accommodate detailed settings and historical contexts.

    4. Science Fiction/Fantasy

    Often spans 90,000 to 120,000 words or more. These genres require extensive world-building, which can lead to longer books. Epic fantasies, in particular, can exceed 150,000 words.

    5. Young Adult (YA)

    Typically between 50,000 to 80,000 words. YA novels are known for their fast-paced, engaging stories that cater to a younger audience with shorter attention spans.

    Infographic with book length ranges for different genres, from WriterSpark Academy.
    Click here to Download

    Practical Tips for Determining the Perfect Length for Your Genre and Story.

    1. Outline Your Plot

    Creating a detailed outline of your story can potentially help you gauge the scope of your story and how long it needs to be to tell it completely. Break down your plot into chapters and scenes to estimate how many words each section will require.

    2. Think about Pacing

    Thinking about the pacing of your story can be informative. Fast-paced thrillers or action-packed novels tend to be more concise and punchy, and therefore shorter, while slower, character-driven narratives might need more room to breathe, therefore longer.

    3. The Essential Elements

    Make sure that every chapter, scene, and character serves a purpose. This means avoiding unnecessary filler content that can turn scenes into fluff and pad your word count without adding value to the story.

    4. Seek Feedback

    Beta readers and critique partners can be helpful by offering insights into whether your book feels too short, too long, or just right. Their feedback can guide you in making necessary adjustments.

    5. Revise and Edit

    Don’t be afraid to revise and edit your manuscript. Cutting down on the fluff (see #3) or expanding underdeveloped sections (or characters) can help you achieve that Goldilocks “just right” length.

    The Takeaway

    Figuring out the perfect length for your story is important. By understanding what influences book length, recognizing genre-specific expectations, and following practical tips, you can make sure your book is both compelling and marketable within your chosen genre.

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    Happy writing!

    The magic of world-building
    26Aug, 2023
    The Magic and Power of Buiding Fictional Worlds
    Get the World-Building Checklists & Planning Sheets Printables

    Have you ever wondered why some fictional worlds feel so captivating, as if you could step right into them? That’s the power…the enchantment…of world-building at play. That is what we’re talking about today: How world-building is the secret ingredient that adds depth, authenticity, and, yes, pure magic to your stories.

    You Invite Readers to Explore New Realms

    Think of world-building as opening the doors to new dimensions. When you craft a world from scratch, you’re offering readers an invitation to journey into uncharted territories. You’re giving them a chance to escape the familiar and embrace the unknown.

    You Create an Immersive Experience

    Ever flipped through the pages of a book and felt like you could smell the rain in a mystical forest or taste the exotic spices in a bustling marketplace? That’s the power of immersive world-building. It envelops readers in a sensory cocoon where every sight, sound, and scent feels tangible.

    You Set the Stage for Characters to Shine

    Just as a stage enhances a performer’s act, a well-built world serves as the backdrop for your characters’ stories. Whether they’re navigating political intrigue, embarking on epic quests, or discovering their inner strengths, the world you’ve created shapes their experiences and decisions.

    You Breathe Life into Cultures and Customs

    Weslandia by [Paul Fleischman, Kevin Hawkes]Have you ever marveled at the intricacies of a fictional society, from its customs to its cuisine? If you’ve ever read the children’s picture book, Weslandia, this is what it’s about—the creation of a world crafted from the imagination of one boy. Highly recommend! Anyway, world-building lets you breathe life into the cultures you’re writing about or creating, allowing readers to explore the diverse tapestry of humanity. It’s a chance to celebrate the richness of traditions and show how different belief systems coexist.

    You Foster Authenticity and Consistency

    Readers are like detectives; they notice when details don’t align. Believe me, I know this from experience. I was married in and lived in Sacramento for a long time. In my first book, Living the Vida Lola, there are several scenes at a marina modeled after a real marina on Garden Highway. In one review, a woman commented that that marina wasn’t there! Trust me when I say readers pay attention to details. World-building helps you maintain consistency by creating rules and guidelines for your world, whether it’s based on a real place or one you’ve crafted from your imagination. It’s like setting the boundaries of your universe so your narrative remains solid and believable.

    You Tackle Thought-Provoking Themes

    World-building isn’t just about creating pretty landscapes; it’s also a powerful tool to explore complex themes. Whether you’re delving into political unrest, technological ethics, or the nature of magic, your world becomes a canvas to discuss thought-provoking ideas.

    You Invite Readers to Be Curious

    A well-built world isn’t just a static backdrop; it’s a universe filled with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. When you leave breadcrumbs of untold stories, hidden truths, and unexplored regions, readers become detectives, hungry to discover the secrets you’ve scattered.

    You Fulfill the Writer’s Imagination

    As a writer, your imagination is a boundless playground. Have you experienced that incredibleness? World-building allows you to unleash your creativity to its fullest. From inventing mythical creatures to designing intricate political systems, there’s no limit to the wonders you can conjure.

    You Can Leave a Lasting Impression

    Remember the stories that whisked you away to a far-off Harry Potter: The Complete Collection (1-7) by [J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré]land or made you ponder life’s mysteries? Narnia. Hogwarts. Middle Earth. These are tales with painstakingly crafted worlds. They are real. World-building leaves an indelible mark on readers, making your story linger in their minds long after the final page.

     
    So, Why World-build?

    Because it’s the brushstroke that turns a blank canvas into a masterpiece. It’s the enchantment that transforms words into a universe waiting to be explored. Whether your world is nestled in the heart of a bustling city or stretches across galaxies, whether it’s magical and full of witches and dragons and muggles, or whether you’re taking something real and building it into something three-dimensional, world-building breathes life into your storytelling.

    So, here’s what I say…unleash your imagination and dive into the magical realms you’re destined to create. Your readers will thank you for it, because you’ll be taking them on a journey they’ll never forget.

    Happy world-building!

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    9Dec, 2022
    How Can Turning Points in a Story Make it Riveting?

    Please tell me, What are Turning Points in a Story? Are they necessary? What do they do? Let’s talk about it!

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    Turning Points

    Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, understanding certain components of storytelling will help you create a more engaging story, which keeps readers turning the pages. Today we’re going to talk about one of these key components: Turning Points. The simplistic explanation of a Turning Point is that something in the story changes. While that is true, Turning Points in great storytelling have layers of insight built into them, with each Turning Point taking the reader on an emotional journey alongside the protagonist. 

    Scene

    To really understand the power of Turning Points, we need to look at scene. Each scene exists both by itself and as part of the greater whole. Generally speaking, a scene is confined to a specific setting (location, duration, period, and character emotion) and contains conflict which propels the plot forward. That conflict represents change for your character. It is about goal, motivation, conflict, and disaster. 

    Within a scene, the POV character has a scene objective (goal) based on a definable reason (motivation). There is some obstacle to the attainment of the goal (conflict). The result is an action and unanticipated reaction that takes the protagonist in a new direction (disaster).

    Goal; Motivation; Conflict; Disaster 

    Goal; Motivation; Conflict; Disaster are the key elements of every scene. The point of each scene is that it causes change. If it does not do that—cause change—then it’s a flat scene that doesn’t belong in your story. The change within a scene can be minor, moderate, or major. These are the Turning Points in your story. They are built into the scenes, each serving a specific purpose, and each building insight for the POV characters, or developing character growth because they are based on the character’s choices. Whatever choice they make when faced with a decision, they must act in a way that is consistent with who they are and with what their goals are. Your protagonist will always act and decide to do what they believe to be right. Likewise, the antagonist will act and make decisions based on what they believe to be right. These opposing goals are direct conflict, which creates a push and pull between the protagonist and the antagonist. 

    The antagonist’s actions in Act II create Pinch Points. These are reminders for the protagonist about the inherent conflict they are facing because of the antagonist. It’s the antagonist reminding the protagonist of his existence. We’ll talk about Pinch Points next week.

    Back to Turning Points

    Back to Turning Points. The major Turning Points in a story are reversals. A reversal is a significant change that takes a character from a positive to a negative place, or from negative to positive place. Or from a negative (bad) to a more negative (very bad!) place. It’s an extreme change that shakes the foundation the protagonist stands on. Everything is good, then suddenly it’s not. It’s bad. Or everything is bad, but the reversal makes things good. At the end of Act II, this is a False Good, also called the Central Ordeal in the Hero’s Journey.  

    Every story needs a minimum of three major Turning Points, two Pinch Points, and several smaller Turning Points. Remember, this is a guideline, not a formula. Once you understand the purpose of Turning Points and the journey your protagonist is on and the growth that will be realized, you can play around with the conflict and Turning Points to fit your story and make Act II robust and compelling 

    Think of your book in four unforgettable scenes: 

    1. The inciting Incident (Call to Adventure)

    2. Act I (Crossing the Threshold)

    3. Act II (Road of Trials)

    4. Act III Climax (Resurrection)

    Each of these key scenes end with a significant Turning Point (Reversal), with smaller Turning Points (and Pinch Points) to keep the action strong and the narrative tight.

    Keep in mind, you can definitely have more than 3 Acts and any number of Turning Points, depending on the type of story, length of story, and how you want to tell it.

    Major and Minor

    When you think about Turning Points, think about them as Minor and Major. A Minor Turning Point leads one scene to the next. The Disaster at the end of Scene A leads to a new Scene Goal for Scene B. The major Turning Points occur at specific places in the story, and they are Reversals. They cause the character to:

    1. Be Surprised or Caught off Guard

    2. Act (Because of Compelling Curiosity or Need)

    3. Be Newly Aware and have Greater Understanding or Insight

    4. Change Direction

    Warner Bros. Announce 3D 'Wizard of Oz' Release for Next Year

     

    Let’s use the universal Wizard of Oz to look at broad examples:

    1. The inciting Incident (Call to Adventure)-Dorothy is swept away by a cyclone. She’s Caught off Guard.

    2. Act I (Crossing the Threshold)-She lands in Munchkinland. She needs to act in order to get back home-Compelling Curiosity/Need.

    3. Act II (Road of Trials)-She makes her way over the Yellow Brick Road, along with her allies, toward the Emerald City. Midpoint/Central Ordeal: Dorothy faces the Wicked Witch of the West and expects the Wizard to fulfill his promise and send her home. This is a False Reversal, though. The Wizard does not have the power to send Dorothy home. Each step of the way, she gains insight, leading to a greater understanding of her own power and inner strength.

    4. Act III Climax (Resurrection)-Dorothy’s quest is complete and she realizes her own power, summons it, and returns home. Reversal from Bad to Good. She Changes Direction—gains maturity and the ability to get herself home.

    Within Act II, there are several Turning Points:

    1. Dorothy must go to the Emerald City to find the Great and Powerful Oz in order to return to Kansas.

    2. She and her allies face obstacles: the tin man’s joints freezing, the flying monkeys, the field of poppies, for example. The Wicked Witch appearing after Dorothy and her friends have made it to the Emerald City and writing Surrender Dorothy in the sky is the first Pinch Point. Even though Dorothy has achieved her goal of reaching Oz, all is not good. She is reminded of the power of the antagonist.

    The flying monkeys leading up to the Central Ordeal or Midpoint is the other Pinch Point. This is the Wicked Witch asserting her power to attack and capture Dorothy. Her power is reaffirmed, the danger to the protagonist reestablished. Each of these are also Minor Reversals: Things are good in Oz, but the witch’s presence makes them potentially bad again. Things are hopeful leading up to confronting the witch until Dorothy and Toto are captured, making things bad again.

    Minor, moderate, and major Turning Points keep Act II robust and compelling. They are the conflicts that cause Reversals, or they are Pinch Points, which are the antagonist making their presence known. As you write, think about the Turning Points, and the Reversals your protagonist will experience. Use the timeline below as a guide. 

    Downloadable ⬇︎

    Combined Structures (The Hero’s Journey & The Three Act Structure) 

     

    Next up, a deeper look at Pinch Points!

     

    Are you ready for the next step in your writing process? Hire me as your developmental editor and partner. Together, we will take your writing to the next level!

     
     
     
     

    Follow the WriterSpark page on Facebook.

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    Join the WriterSpark Academy newsletter! And share with your writing besties.

    Know a writer, aspiring or other, who might like this content? Share this site with them!