Alright guys, I know this may be an accomplishment that only writers can understand but I feel like someone needs to celebrate with me! I have been working on my YA novel Lies of the Haven, which I am super excited about sharing with you by the way, but I felt my word count was way too high. When I neared completion, it was at 97,000 words and I wanted to get it below 80,000.
So I started editing, cutting all the excess fluff and tightening my sentences. With just that, my word count dropped to 89,000 words. Then I started cutting a few scenes that weren’t as integral to the story as I originally thought and my word count dropped to 85,000. Then I took out a chapter that I loved.
And I cried.
As I continued to edit, I got my word count down to 78,000 but I just couldn’t take the agony and put my beloved chapter back in. My word count shot back up to over 80,000. Slowly, very slowly, with more editing and tightening, I have finally gotten my manuscript to drop to 79,000 words.
Success! While I am still in the editing process and hope to drop my word count by even more, I ‘m just so happy I reached my goal! It has taken a lot of work! For all those writers out there, you know what I am talking about! And for those who aren’t writers and just want to feel good about someone’s achievement, celebrate with me!
JA Curtis 