Escape Artists
The Lounge at the End of the Universe => The Writing Forum => Progress Reports => Topic started by: Anarquistador on May 03, 2012, 12:46:57 PM
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Rassa frassa...why can't I write something that's less than 10,000 words? I was trying to get something in under 8,000 words and the story just...went places. It's at 12,000 words and almost done. And I don't think I can expand it to novel length without padding being obvious.
I don't even know what to call it. Novella? Long-short story? Is there even a market for this length?
How do the rest of you cut for length?
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Rassa frassa...why can't I write something that's less than 10,000 words? I was trying to get something in under 8,000 words and the story just...went places. It's at 12,000 words and almost done. And I don't think I can expand it to novel length without padding being obvious.
I don't even know what to call it. Novella? Long-short story? Is there even a market for this length?
How do the rest of you cut for length?
Asimov's, Analog, and F&SF all take long stories, last I checked, as does Giganotosaurus. However, the longer the story, the tougher the markets are.
I too have trouble keeping the word count down. However, what I would recommend is that you write however you want to write, and make it as long or as short as it needs to be. Cutting longer stories is REALLY difficult; you may want to get a writer you know to read the story and make recommendations. I also recommend that, after you edit the story the first time, if you still want to make it shorter, print it out and start retyping it. That's how I cut down a few stories of mine, including one that was just sold -- it started at 12k, and ended at 8k.
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To hell with writing however I want to write; I want validation!
...okay, maybe I don't want it that bad, but still.
I wonder if I might post it in the Crit Group when it's done...