Glad I’m not the only one, Evie! It’s still an issue for me and I’m green with envy when other writers I know talk about having to cut 30,000 words because their book’s too long. I know what you mean about books feeling ‘padded out’ and as a reader I do get tried of books that seem longer than the story or writing warrants. Maybe one day the trend will change but no sign of that yet. Good luck with your writing.

Hi Kirtida,
Thanks for getting in touch. It sounds like you are the opposite to me! That does seem long, I think most books are 80K to 100K (though lots are shorter or longer). If your novel naturally breaks into two parts then you could think about treating it as two books. But if it would spoil it to split it up then you might need to consider editing it into a more manageable length. Good luck.

Thanks for sharing this experience. My problem as an author is that I end up writing long- really long books. My word counts go 1.9K+ Is it okay to write long novels or they are again considered ill-fitted by industry standards? As a matter of fact, I plan to break my novel in 2 parts before sending it to agents because I am scared that a very long novel might not go well with agents as I am a first time writer.

Can you please advice me on this matter?

Hello Amy, I’m very glad it’s helped. Writing is tough enough without following rules that make it harder. Good luck.

Hi, Whitney, Thanks for getting in touch. There’s so many ways to write and finding what works is the key, I think. Sounds like you have. Happy writing.

Thanks very much for your comment. I like the way you’ve phrased it – I can tell you are a poet. All the very best with your work. Cath

Two things sang out:

I am also a “writer who writes sparingly.” My recently completed and first full-length book of ecstatic poetry is full of space, many lines only one word. It takes a certain courage to trust the reader this much.

And, I agree that “a difficult or emotionally loaded [subject]… demands the old pen and paper.” Immediacy of paper and pen, eyes following this lead of ink, sound of pages turning, the rocker in which I sit or some place in the sun…all grounding me in my body, on the planet, giving tether to the mind, wanting to wander at will.