by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
So, the word count sweet spot for a first novel by an unknown author is around 80,000 to 100,000 words. I’m now at the end of the second act and I’m around 100,000 words. And I have roughly 20,000 words more to write.
That’s not bad for a first draft.
If I ended up with a first draft at about 120,000 words, then the second draft can be just around 100,000 words. There is a lot I don’t know, however. I don’t know how strict that 100,000 word sweet spot. What if I write something really, really good that is close to 120,000 words?
I fear, of course, that given that I’m an unknown, untested writer that the closer to 100,000 words I can get with the second and third drafts, the better. This is an example of how I’m slowly beginning to leave the completely delusional phase of this process. Issues like marketability is beginning to come to the forefront of my mind.
One thing I have to do is read. I need to read a lot more simply to force myself to get outside my comfort zone. I have to know what I’m up against when I get to the gatekeepers that are literary agents.
Then, of course, there is the issue of, well, ME. I’m really beginning to worry a great deal about when a literary agent inevitable does due diligence on me, they’re going to think I’m totally bonkers and they won’t want to have anything to do with me — no matter how good the actual novel is.
Anyway, I’m ready to rock in roll. I hope that no later that Christmas I will have the first novel’s first draft wrapped up will allow me to turn around in January and start to write the second draft.
