Number three in the questions I get asked most often, especially by students in my Write That Book Groups, is how long should my book be?

 

My simple answer is, ‘Never too long, only too boring. Never too short, only too sparing.’

 

I give the same answer for chapters and paragraphs.

 

If you're writing a novel, you must ensure your reader has invested in your characters and this can take a little time.

Characters should lead the plot so don’t skimp on them.

If I don't care about your characters, I won't want to read about them, no matter how good your plot is.

 

If you're writing a non-fiction book, then you must create value.

I'm amazed (and get p***ed off) at the non-fiction author who decides to leave their best stuff out of their book, hoping that readers will be lured in to buying other products in order to find out more. Your best stuff should be front and centre of your book.

 

Memoirs can be self-indulgent. What you think is an interesting story that takes you 3,000 words to tell, may be a page-skipping bore to your reader. As a rule of thumb, 25% of memoir stories should be edited out in the first draft.

 

Children’s books should be easier, but the truth is every single syllable needs to earn its place. In the children’s market you have two customers you’re writing for, the child and the reader/parent.

 

There are only a few books which I wished were a little longer, but plenty which I longed to be shorter.

 

Write That Book!