How do I lengthen my writing?

Question

Well, I'm trying to write a book. I've been told that I am a great writer and I have all these great ideas for a fantasy novel. The problem is that it's going to be too short. I've already written about the princess escaping from the castle, rescuing the peasant boy and receiving a gift from a fortune teller and it's only 26 pages long! (Btw, the pages are typed, double spaced. This is approximately equal to one page in a novel.) HELP!!

Look here. Don't be a party-pooper. I'm a little annoyed at most of you dissing my idea for a book. Yes, I call myself a great writer and I am. Don't question it. Some people may not like my style, but that doesn't make it any less good. Plus, I was just giving you a little taste of what the book is about, so don' tell me it's not original enough, Mr. Smart ***. Hmmph. I'm a young writer, so thanks for the advice, but I'll take my own suggestions instead. "Ok, so just let the story evolve. You may decide you want to go back and have a big festival that creates a distraction for the princess. That sounds like a great idea. Man, you are wonderful," she said to herself. Ugh, I hate people who have to freakin' step on other people's dreams to make themselves feel like they know it all. Guess what? You don't know it all.

Answer 1

ok

Answer 2

Well - first, find a more original plot... I'm being honest here.
Second, develop it with more characters, more interaction between these characters, more locations, more action, etc.
Third, describe more. The scenery is there to describe. Not too much but enough. Add subtle effects such as small character movements or sudden thoughts, etc.
Fourth, write more dialogue. Be more realistic when writing dialogue. People are not always straight-to-the-point when speaking.
Fifth, give allowance for time - do not rush things. 26 pages double-spaced is not enough for an escape, a rescue and a gift from a fortune-teller. The reader will be like "Whoa! Slow Down!"
Sixth, read good books and see how they do it. Imitate them.
Seventh, keep writing, practicing, until you get there!


We were only trying to help. I mean, I also sent a piece of writing and asked for some ratings, some liked and some didn't. I didn't go calling them names. Instead, you accept it or ignore it - but you should keep in mind that we aren't what you call "party-poopers" , we're just here to help.
Now, as for the originality - it can be more original, but it also depends on how you make the plot. As you say, you are a young person and you have confidence, but always question your own work - that's when you are at your best!
As a young person you should accept that you have read less books than most readers and have written less than most writers. So, although there is a chance that you are right and they are wrong, it is slim. But well done, you are very determined and that's good.
However, next time you post an idea or a piece, keep in mind, out of the 6billion people on this earth, half will hate your idea or my idea or anyone's. Harry Potter's are rare. Bible's and Quran's are even rarer!!!!
So, instead of getting angry at criticism, accept it - whatever we say shouldn't change anything of your determination. If you believe you are a good writer, then you are, and let nobody make you feel bad. Now, Good Luck!

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Novels need more than just action.

You need characterization.

Who are the characters? Why are they going on the adventure you're planning? How do they get along with one another?

You need description.

Escaping from a castle is no big thing until you tell the reader that there was a dragon guarding the dungeon and alligators in the moat and and ugly troll guards at the gate.

You need side conflicts.

Little side stories help build richness into your fantasy world. Like "quidditch" in Harry Potter, its a way to build a realistic world where more things are going on Than just your big events. Minor characters might come into conflict-- they might have reasons to hate one another or romantic entanglements to think about.

Keep writing. The more you write today, the better your writing will be tomorrow.

Answer 5

Then what you have written is probably not a novel. First of all, you don't start by writing. You start by doing detailed character analysis, strong outlines with a major plot plus good sub plots and backstories. That is how you build a real story. You don't just sit down and write. You also do your research.

Your plot sounds like Super Mario Brothers reversed, sorry but it's true.

You call yourself a "great writer". I cannot speak to that because I haven't read anything you wrote. However I will say this to you. I truly believe writers are born - just like musicians, singers, dancers etc. You cannot create a writer where none exists.

However, once you are born a writer, it is your job to hone that gift until you have turned it into a skill and a talent. That doesn't happen overnight. It takes a LONG time and a lot of education and training. And to borrow from Stephen King in his masterwork On Writing, you cannot be a great writer unless you are a great reader.

I would say you have a long way to go. Nobody writes a novel the first time they sit down. They write a lot of short stories, fragments, poetry, etc. That is how you hone your skills. What you have written is a short story. Put it aside and write others. When you are ready, a novel will come. You should understand that the fantasy market is currently glutted and it is very difficult to break through in that genre. I think everyone under the age of 18 is currently writing a fantasy novel. You have to work very hard to make your work unique and original. That will come in time.

For now, work on your skills. Talk to a teacher and show them your work. ASk them to mentor you. Ask them to give you extra assignments or point you in the direction of ways to help you improve your skills.

One thing I recommend to the students I mentor and teach is a book called The Novelist. It is a very nice novel about a famous novelist teaching a college class. During the story, she details every step of her writing process. So it is both a nice novel and a good lesson on writing. I recommend you read it.

Lastly, never count pages. Industry standard is 250 words per page. Authors think in terms of words - not pages.

Slow down, take your time, and learn. Work on original ideas. Pax - C

Answer 6

I'm still in highschool and I wrote what I like to call a "Book". I wrote it by hand. IT took me 3 notebooks. 311 pages. Turns out when i'm typing it up, in book form it is way more. i'm half way done re-typing it and i'm up to 385 pages. If you are using Microsoft Word, there is an open book at the bottom of the page which you can click and you can see how much you've written in book format. Although, you should probably take of the double-space. It makes it way lengthier than it really is. ANd your font better be size 12. I like your idea by the way. It sounds incredibly interesting. I would read that book. I like the idea. Keep trying. Think about the characters everyday. Have conversations in your head with them. It's a fun thing to do. The characteres actually come to life this way. It just becomes more and more complex until it has immense substance. I like your idea and you should definitely continue with it. You never know what might happen. Never doubt yourself when you might have the next Harry Potter in your hands. I hope everything works out and you are able to achieve your dream of becoming an author. Although I guess you already are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They are probably just jealous of your imagination. I have a huge imagination. I always have some story in my head. Literally 24-7. It's awesome. I hope I achieve my dreams too. *Crossing my fingers for both of us* :)

Answer 7

Hmm...well, think of something. Put the entire page on a website and offer a link so we can see it. What I'm thinking is that its a great idea and has a lot of plot but can't be fleshed out into an entire novel. So here's an idea: read the book Eragon, it's a long read but it's a great book. The idea is that you can offer a backstory of how the princess was put into the castle: a dragon, a feuding civil war, anything, and stretch it out in any way. Have her going through about a week of life in the castle and then have her escape.

Just think about how you can add details. And if you want, visit my idea, and I have no idea how long it'll be. Look for "What do you think of this idea for a graphic novel" or "GiR 2.0"

Answer 8

Keep in mind, if you have a story, it doesn't have to be a novel. Short stories are popular, too, and I kind of favor them. It might also be easier to sell a short story to a publisher than a novel, too. Or else, you could put a bunch of your short stories together and have your own full book of shorts.

I think you should finish your story however it works best, and not worry too much about the length. Good luck!

Answer 9

Hello,

I am not sure if there is a prescribed number of pages or chapters for Novels or Serious books.

However, have you ever thought of doing your own publishing?

If you have or own your own Web Site, or even a Web Page, that could be used to publish your writings too!

BLOGS are also a form of publishing.

But if you are concerned about plagiarism or un-authorized use of your materials, then you may have to have it registered.

Bringbaka.
NYC.

Answer 10

This happens to me all the time. Write version 1 on paper, type it on the computer lengthening it, and editing it as you go over it. Keep rewriting it until it's a good as you like it, then send it to an editor, and its done.

Answer 11

Add another plot line that intertwines with your first one.

Added later...
I like your story, keep it up.
I stand my what I said. Make your first story just one tale from a greater universe.
Don 't even try to publish it until you have fleshed out at least two centuries of background history.