Is Your Novel Actually Two Novels?

One book, two book. …dead book, new book? Noooo… That’s not right.

Hi! This is a continuation of my writing advice series, “9 Ways to Lessen Your Word Count!”

Is your word count way higher than the recommended word count for your genre? For a YA fantasy, 110,000 words might be a little concerning, but what if your count is more like 200,000? Or 330,000 words?? Don’t freak out. You’re not alone, and it may be more common than you think. 🙂

There are many reasons your word count may be astronomically high, and potentially many things you need to do to make the novel shorter (and better). However, what if you’ve really tried everything and you just can’t cut another word without really damaging the story or characters?

If your book (or a chapter in your book!) is twice as long or three times as long as the recommended length, maybe you have twice or thrice as many books (or chapters) in your hands! But how should you cut that? Just a clean line down the middle? Ew. No. Gross. XD

First, study story arcs. I love looking at charts and throwing my scenes and characters down on the pretty pictures. Generally, your story will have an exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution. Here is a really good post on the topic: https://telltailediting.com/what-is-a-narrative-arc/!

Check to see if you have multiple climactic moments in your novel. If you do, those are great places to consider ending a novel. Where are the moments where your protagonist goes through a dramatic change or realization? Maybe you have a plot twist or moment of immense devastation, or maybe you can revise a special scene to be a little more intense than it is.

After you find that hidden climax, see how you can work around it. Do you need to revise the beginning of the book to focus more on that change, theme, or realization? Maybe you’re missing a falling action and denouement for this climax. Listen, that just means you get to write more things (not too much more, though! ;P). Cliffhangers can also be great ways to make your readers eager for the next book.

In the end, never fear! If you’ve got a good story, you’ve got a good story! Next step is figuring out how to make it accessible and enticing for others to discover it! Shorter word counts per book can be great ways to convince readers to give you a try and beg for more. 😉

*Slips the comment section into your drink* Shhh. I need more friends. Tell me about your books. 😀