Wednesday, September 8, 2010

How Many Words Does It Take...?

Graph borrowed from Writer Services (dot) com

I'm a firm believer that "everything happens for a reason."  For example, I intended to open my WiP as soon as I got home from the gym this morning.  I was willing to weather my own stink, forgoing a shower while the kids were in school so I could write in a quiet house.  But for some reason, I didn't.

Instead, I started reading the blogs on my blogroll.  Roni at *Fiction Groupie* had posted within the hour.  I clicked.  And there it was, the "reason" I hadn't jumped right into Overcome.  Roni's post, featuring Justine Dell.

It was as if Justine were looking right at me as she spoke.  Her topic on how to write effective back story -- including getting all of it (ALL back story) out of chapter one, couldn't have been more pertinent.  If you haven't read the post, please do.  Here's the link:  That Sneaky Backstory

In her discussion, Justine shared Donald Maas' advice from Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook.  His Number One tip that grabbed me by the shoulders and shook hard was this:  "In the first fifty pages of your novel, find any scene that establishes the setting, brings the players to the stage, sets up a situation, or that is otherwise backstory.  Put brackets around the material, or highlight it in your electronic file.  Cut and paste this material into chapter fifteen. Yes, chapter fifteen."  (The whole post is so good -- I hope you read it!)

Besides being eye-opening advice, for me, this led to several other questions.  For example, how long is fifty pages of a novel?  How long is one page?

I'm a novice novelist, so I know lots of you writer-readers are shouting the answer at me through your screens.  You've already been down this stretch of the path.  Since it's my first time, I'll share what I learned.

According to the first five websites Google suggested, industry standard preferred length is 250 words per page. Just to test this, I grabbed a recent book acquisition off the to-read pile, opened to a random page, and typed.  I found there were 247 words on that page.  Cool.

However, the text only covered ½ of the page.  You see, my preferred font has always been Calibri, size 11, with line spacing at 1.5.  I only double space between paragraphs.

When I changed the document to Times New Roman, 12 pt., double-spaced throughout, the text covered the page, exactly.

Now, I have a better idea how to gauge how far into my MS I am, and I can think more specifically about where the backstory, and other plot elements, should go.  I'm excited about the insight!


Here are some interesting articles regarding this topic:
William Shunn -- (Short Story Guidelines, but still applicable)

I know submitted manuscripts should follow each agent or publisher's specific guidelines.  But I'd love to know how you work with your manuscripts.  What font and size do you write your drafts in?  Do you reformat when sending your work to critique partners, for easier edit inserts?


Thanks, in advance, for sharing with me!

  


40 comments:

Candyland said...

I always use Times, font 12 and I don't reformat. I keep it the same way for all.

Jennifer Shirk said...

I prefer 12 TNR so I always write and submit in that. I might change the font to edit with to play tricks on my eyes, but otherwise it's always the same.

About Me said...

Also use TNR font 12 and that's how I send it out. :)

Apparently though, some in the publishing industry get all worked up about font. I don't know why since by the time the work hits the bookstore, it's could be any number of fonts.

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge said...

I use TNR12 to type, and that's almost always how I give it to others. On the other hand, when I print it out for my own editing, I use TNR10 to conserve paper.

Anonymous said...

I like to use Palatino Linotype, font size 14, and I don't reformat when I send it to my critiquing partner. He doesn't mind, and him and I just insert little highlighted parentheses when we have to make a note or correction.

Within the first 50 pages of my book, I do have a very small amount of backstory in bits and pieces, but not more than a page altogether. I wait until Chapter 7, which is over a hundred pages in, to delve into the background of my main character, and even longer for my other characters. I just hate it when a book starts off explaining who the character is and where they came from, etc, and yet SO many books do this!

Lola Sharp said...

I always use TNR 12 pt., double spaced, 1 inch-1 1/2 inch margins.
Approximately 250 words/page, approx. 10-15 pages per chapter.

HTH,
Lola

Unknown said...

I'm with Lola but I make my chapters shorter. Mine are from 5-10 pages per chapter.

CD

Summer Frey said...

I write the draft in 12-pt Times New Roman, single-spaced. Crazy, right? But I like to see as much as possible of what I've previously written.

When I send to my CPs, I do 1.5 space. 1-inch margins all around.

Justine's post really resonated with me, too. Gonna take a hard look at my first 50 pages.

Crystal said...

It's funny. My opening 4 paragraphs (actually only individual sentences) are back story. BUT. That is the ONLY back story.

As I said in my tweet, I don't like it. I enjoy reading it. But it gives me a headache, and for this one, it doesn't work. There's no room for it. It would be clutter and cause confusion if I added it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I single space, font size ten. I think ariel. Maybe century. Not sure!

Katie said...

I'm a 250 words/page girl. I even go and uncheck the 'orphan' thing under 'paragraph.' I tried critting a friend's MS who had 1.5 spacing and I couldn't read it. Too close together for the computer, you know? Formatting can change a lot.

JE said...

TNR--12 point--double spaced--one inch margins. That's what everyone gets. ;-)

Thanks for the shout out!

~JD

Sarah Ahiers said...

I use 1.5 spacing too! But i write in Times New Roman.
I used to pay a lot of attention to # of pages, but now i'm big on word count

Carolyn V. said...

I write at 12pt Times New Roman, but I always write 1 spacing because I feel like I've done more when I double space it. =D I don't change it until I'm putting the final touches on it.

N. R. Williams said...

For my critique I write in Currier New, 12ft, changing the paragraph to multiple 1.9 and eliminating all the check marks on the next page. Indent 5" of course. For my editor I select all and change to Times Roman. The first choice will give you exactly 25 lines per page.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Terry Stonecrop said...

I use 12 font TNR. Thanks for this tip! I'll have to check out the rest.

Roni Loren said...

Thanks for linking to the post! Glad you found Justine's info helpful. :)

I used TNR 12 point, double-spaced and submit in the same. :)

LTM said...

hey, lady! I always use TNR 12 pt, and that's what crit partners get it in, too... I'm totally checkin out that blog post. V. curious~

Thanks! :o)

Anonymous said...

I already write in TNR 12 pt., double-spaced, because I know it's standard MS format, and it's easier for me if I don't have to go back and reformat it for submissions later on.

That said, I had NO IDEA that this would mirror the wordcount of a standard paperback novel. That's kind of a cool revelation. Thanks!

Lindsay said...

I read Justine's post on Roni's Blog :)

I always use Times New Roman and 12 font. I tend to set up my MS to the standard MS format (a'la Nathan Bransford's blog) and leave it at that. :)

Nicole Zoltack said...

12 TNR 1 inch margins

Gretchen Griffith said...

I use 12 TNR single space when I first start a section and I'm on a roll. When I'm satisfied it's ready to send to my critique group, I change to double. We also number the lines when we submit online. That way, we use the line numbers as reference instead of page numbers. So much easier.

DL Hammons said...

You already know first hand how I format. :)

Lindsey Duncan said...

Well, clearly I have to post so I can hurt people's heads. ;-)

I write in varying fonts - Trebuchet MS, Arial, Book Antiqua, Comic Sans MS, and TNR are common ... I tend to pick a font by how I feel when I start writing. But I write in 8 or 9 pt (depending on the specific font).

No, I don't love minute print.

What I love is the sense that the words are filling the page - which I can't get on a standard-sized monitor any more. So I write with Word at 150 percent zoom ... which means for the text not to be bogglingly massive, I need smaller pt size.

I swap to a larger font for printed copies. I can't standard Courier or double spacing: I can't think or read in that format. So I don't go to standard manuscript until I am ready to submit.

Luna said...

I'm with the majority. Thanks for this great info and the link!

Jemi Fraser said...

I do TNR 12 as well - it's easier to start off with it than to try and change it later in case changing the font messes up the formatting.

Jessica Bell said...

Yep, Time New Roman, 12pt, double spaced, 1inch margins all round :o)

Jessica Lemmon said...

A specific recommendation from author Cynthia Reese prompted me to use:

12 pt Courier, .5 indent, 1" margins. Line spacing "exactly" 25 pt.

I like it, she was right, easier on the eyes to read and skim.

Mia Hayson said...

Really really weird but I write in EXACTLY the same font, size and spacing as you and reformat later.

This is because I can't think in Times New Roman. Nobody hate me. It just reminds me school too much.

To be honest, I think Calibri is where the fun is at. It's my special writing font, just like I have a blogging font and an email font.

;)

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

I type in 12 pt TNR double-spaced from the first draft, so I don't have much reformatting to do when sending to CPs or agents :) Just makes it easier for me!

With my new novel, I'm using Scrivner, which is AWESOME.

Laura S. said...

I type in Times New Roman, 12, double spaced. That's how I always had to format my papers in high school and college, and it struck with me!

About Me said...

Nicole, I replied to your comment via my blog, but then thought, why not pop back over here.

I think the book I reviewed MAELSTROM is only available through Amazon, but it's well worth the wait. Also there's an e-book version. Happy Reading!

Lisa Rusczyk said...

I use 12 times. Used to only write yellow on blue, but now I do black on white.

Kimberly Franklin said...

I always use times new roman 12point font. Well, sometimes, when I'm *cough,procrastinating, cough* I'll play with the chapter titles. But that's just for fun!

Jai Joshi said...

I always use TNR 12.

Jai

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss nicole! for me i use that times font and double the spaces and put 1 inch all around. i didnt know what to use at first so i asked my cousin whos a writer and that how he does it. i hope you have a fun weekend.
...smiles from lenny

Kristal Shaff said...

Writing the Breakout Novel is my all time favorite book on writing. I haven't looked at it in years, though. You're post made me want to pull it out again.

Good luck on the writing!

Warren Baldwin said...

Cool tips/suggestions. I'm a Times New Rman 12 all the time. Best for my eyes.

Stina said...

I write in Times New Roman single space with a double space between paragraphs. When I edit a scene, I'll alternate between that and Verdana because I find typos and awkward sentences easier that way. I'm not sure why it works. Maybe it forces your eyes and brain to read it differently.

When I send it out to CP and beta readers, I convert it to NTR double space.

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