Book Format

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I have a formatting question. I'm thinking about the pace of the story. Right now, the chapters run chronologically for the most part. If I restructure it, It would break up the sections into separate modules.

Comments

Please don't cut out such scenes.

Leaving such scenes in offer plot hooks for your other stories. Plus, readers do enjoy even over acring sub-plots that stretch throughout a book series.

So, please don't cut out such scenes.

Trimming down.

Thanks for the input, Paul!

Truly, I don't really want to cut anything out, but I may have to in any case if I decide to try and publish this, someday. It's a bit long for an undiscovered writer. Most publishers only look at manuscripts around 100K words. I'm about 40K over the mark! I'm gonna have to look at the story closely in the next several months and see where I can make edits. Or I can get lucky and find an agent that will fight for a longer story with side plots! :P

It's a good idea so

It's a good idea so definitely sticks with it. I like the idea about having one character dedicated to one character and then so on and thus forward. I thought I had whilst taking it was that maybe at the kickoff of the book, describe a huge accident with three major casualties. essay writing website

I kind of like it, too.

It's a little different from most novels I read, and I think I like the module story format, too. Still not sure.

Thanks for the input!

I'm with Paul, really.

I think the story is just about perfect already. Any cuts you should make should be much more... finessed, rather than massive large-scale restructuring.

Also, you're writing fantasy, so you should look for agents who focus on fantasy, who will look for publishers who do the same, if you wish to go the classic route and not self-publish.

Fantasy authors get away with much larger word counts because that is the nature of the genre. You aren't going to attract readers with less than 300 pages. 500 would be even better.

Even if you don't plan to or wish to write only fantasy, you'd still be best served by an agent who focuses on such, even if you depart from it somewhat in later work, because fantasy authors tend to be the most capable of breaking out of their genre and crossing genre lines as far as market acceptance goes.

Once a fantasy author has established a fantasy fandom, that fandom will generally follow that author no matter where they go. Whereas most other literature writers have a much more difficult time convincing speculative readers to give them a chance after they've established themselves in the mainstream.

Additionally, won't Amber be the first book, so any concerns about you being given a chance as a first time author should be being directed to that work, rather than to Whispers.

I really think we'll lose a lot of important information if you cut the chase from the story.

Abigail Drew.

Thanks, Abigail!

I'm really touched that my words mean so much to my readers.

I know fantasy authors get more words than most debut authors, but I've read that many agents will look passed most manuscripts over 100K words (120K for fantasy). I'm at 145K right now. I've heard that it's easier to get noticed with a shorter initial script, and then try to get stuff added rather than try to find someone who will jump on a longer script. "Kill your darlings" is the common phrase. Unless the writer is a hidden genius. I don't quite think I'm on that level. :P

I'm still thinking on what to do. Thanks for the input!