What does one do when the story they have written is a whopping 450,000 words? Many have said that books shouldn’t be over 100,000 words, especially in this day and age of the ADHD society. The paperback version will be too costly to print, and the e-book reader doesn’t want to invest the time, or so they say. So here I am left attempting to split apart a story that has a lot of small plot lines woven into the big picture and finding it a nightmare to cut it up.
If I follow the wisdom of those with experience and those in the business, I should chop it into four parts, but those parts aren’t clearly evident. Each sub plot is too intricately imbedded. Will my readers scream if too many of the small plot lines are left dangling? I am left with is cliffhangers ever where I look. The obvious break line comes way too far into the story. I cannot simply make two parts.
So here I sit, fussing and fuming and trying to cut up my baby so I can get book one to the editor on time. I am a writer, not a surgeon. I don’t want anything to do with a scalpel, but this is my decision to make. All I can say is OUCH!
Well…. there is the newish invention of ebook serials. You could try that.
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. I guess people won’t be too upset by cliffhangers in a serial if they know the series is written and that each book will come out a month or two at the most, apart. I guess I am frustrated because leaving something off on a cliffhanger feels like I am leaving the book incomplete. each book needs to stand alone or people will fuss. Thanks for leaving a reply. It is appreciated.