There are so many sites out there with information on how many words a novel should be or a novella or a young adult book, but what about a young adult novella?
Here's the dilemma - I have a young adult book that is currently 35,000 words. Once I'm finished, it should be closer to 40,000. The story is fine the way it is. I think it flows well. If I have to get it to 40,000-50,000 to be considered a good young adult length, I'll have to add fluff. And well, too much fluff, is just that - FLUFF! I don't want to put a whole bunch of nothing in my book just to get it to the right word count.
What do do? What to do? Does it matter? Does it really matter if a book is a little shorter than normal? Would some of you rather read a book with more fluff just so that it's the proper length? Mmmm... decisions.
Whoever is reading the book won't realize that there aren't "enough" words. They WILL realize if it drags along because of unnecessary content. Just my way of thinking. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm thinking. Glad I'm not alone :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't want fluff. A lot of times I'll read a book and say, "I could have done without that entire page." I agree with Kristin, I don't really notice when a book is a little shorter.
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I'd do another edit and see if there are any plot holes, or if there is a scene that could use a little more description. You don't have to fluff, but you can polish.