what do you think? - Writers Forum

tallulah · 01-29-2008, 03:10 PM

well hello, i am in need of some advice if someone is willing to give it. I am writing a fantasy fiction story for children not sure what age cause my humour can get a bit.....well you know. Anyway i have an idea for three stories in my head, one of which i have 3 chapters written, edited and proof read. My question is this how long or short should a childrens novel be and would it be a good idea to have the three stories combined in the one book?

This one you cant help me with , but i think im writing for children cause im scared my writing is too crap for adults. thinkin out loud there. I cannot post my chapters yet as i am not ready

thanks

Mike C · 02-01-2008, 02:18 AM

That's a pretty broad question. Books for children can range from just a few pages with a sentence on each and big pictures, through to full length YA (Young Adult) novels, generally 50-80k words.

Quote:

...my humour can get a bit.....well you know.

No, we don't. Why not tell us?

JohnN · 02-01-2008, 05:38 AM

I would only have a a series of books if it fits the mould. You don't want people thinking you are coning them into buying three books when it could have easily been one. Think about it from the readers perspective not your own.

MSWordUp · 02-01-2008, 04:53 PM

"I would only have a a series of books if it fits the mould. You don't want people thinking you are coning them into buying three books when it could have easily been one. Think about it from the readers perspective not your own."

I agree. It always makes me wonder how good the first book can be if it's only three chapters done and the writer already has two other full length novels in mind. Why not foucs on the first book alone? Perhaps you'll get to the end of it and think "That's actually enough." How could two other books be planned when the first is a whole three chapters long?

Just my opinion.

As far as length. As long as it takes to tell the story. But is the plan to make it short in order to stretch it out for another two novels?

Any chance you can give a brief description of what it's about. Because I'd worry if it were about young magicians in magic school or a group of friends going on an epic journey through a planet eerily similar to Middle Earth. Because it seems a lot of the fantasy on this site parallels those two stories.

ashleyc8705 · 02-02-2008, 09:56 PM

I suggest you keep writing and when it's done it's done. When your finished then you can decide if it is too long. MS pretty much summed it up lol! Good luck!