Hello all,
School holidays are over and many of us are back to the routine that school terms bring. Whilst I was still working during the hols I did find there was some extra time to spend on writing, which in my case meant an edit of a mid-grade chapter book manuscript, which included adding 1500 words. I added an extra chapter, and extended another, because I felt the manuscript might suit a particular series, which required 10,000 words.
Having to bump up your word count presents certain problems. If not given sufficient thought it is easy to simply 'pad' your present manuscript, meaning the extra words add little to the story. However, in this case I was able to go back to ideas which had been swirling around in my head about the story but didn't end up making it into the manuscript. After sleeeping on the problem and cogitating while driving etc, I found that the original ideas would meld in nicely to the story, and, more importantly, 'add' something to it.
How do others feel about having to add (or subtract) from their stories? I'd love to hear from you.
Happy writing
Lynn
About Me
- Lynn
- New South Wales, Australia
- Lynn is an Australian children's writer. She has had work published in the NSW School Magazine, Little Ears magazine, Fandangle e-zine, Storybox Online and Book for Fiji. Her competition results include: First Place Picture Book for Pre-School in 2007, First Place Chapter Book in 2007, Highly Commended Picture Book Preschool in 2006 - in the CYA (Children and Young Adults) competition held in conjunction with the Brisbane Writers' Festival. First Place Picture Book in 2008 in the Kathleen Julia Bates Writing for Children competition. Two of Lynn's stories appear in the Book for Fiji anthology which was compiled for a school in Fiji. Keep an eye out for her first picture book, due out in 2013. All poetry etc on this blog is copyright to Lynn Ward
Hi Lyn
ReplyDeleteWhen working on a 'finished' ms, I must admit that I find it much easier to cut down on words than add them! I love nice tight writing, so just like you I'd worry that adding words would just be putting in extra fluff.
But it sounds like you approached it perfectly, and wove in other ideas that were already brewing. I'll have to keep that method in mind if I ever have to do the same thing.
Best of luck with the submission!
Katherine
Thank you Katherine :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI wrote a short Sci-Fi story for Kids but a friend of mine suggested it would work better as a Chapter Book. So I divided the scenes into Chapters and expanded the detail. Random House liked it so I was very appreciative of my friend's advice.
Cheers,Karen :))
Congratulations. I have my fingers crossed for my ms. :)
ReplyDeleteLynn,
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it particularly useful to go back over a manuscript I thought I'd finished. I'd taken out 4 chapters (to go into the sequel) and consequently had to increase the word level of the first one.
To do this, rather than pad it out (because I find deleting easier to do) I've got a large piece of butcher's paper and started mind-mapping the plot again and surprise, surprise, there are gaps that could be extended. The same process is happening with the main characters.
It's a very productive way to work - for me, anyway.
Cheers
:)
Thanks Sheryl for your advice. I really appreciate any ideas on increasing word count because I tend to always be below rather than over word counts. I think that is why I tend to gravitate toward writing picture book manuscripts - I can say a lot with little words :). I very much appreciate everyone's comments on this topic.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Lynn