Should I split a long novel?

[Tim Murray]

My third book will be very long, 1000 pages. I did not intend for it to be so in the beginning, but that is the way it is turning out. my thought is to finish it and split it into two books. What are your thoughts?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

My third book will be very long, 1000 pages. I did not intend for it to be so in the beginning, but that is the way it is turning out. my thought is to finish it and split it into two books. What are your thoughts?

Is there a natural splitting point? One that's not just a splitting in two, but a resolution of the storyarcs? If not, it's problematic.

What does your editor and/or (experienced) beta readers say? I find my editors are excellent at finding the scenes that are superfluous, could be cropped and also the ones that need more. I'd be trying to tighten it in the first instance, if I could.

 

[Jackie Bee]

Were the first two books published? If you're a successfull published writer, you can get away with a huge book. If not, the common opinion is that shorter is better for beginners... so yes, split it if you can...

 

[tinkerdan]

A lot depends on your writing skills.
It's difficult to say without sampling some of it.
My guess is that there might be room for tightening the narrative style a bit and doing some deep editing to determine what you have there that isn't necessary; as in that which doesn't move the story forward.

There is also the notion of how large the first two books are and how much tightening you did to get there. If they were not tightened; but they are doing well then you could damage the last book by making it too much different. On the other hand if you've not done tightening then tightening could be a relief to the readers.

If you do split it then you have to consider having two books that are complete rather than to have one just drop off, to go into the next; because all that that looks like is an author who saw more dollars in two book than they saw in one.

 

[Tim Murray]

Is there a natural splitting point? One that's not just a splitting in two, but a resolution of the storyarcs? If not, it's problematic.

What does your editor and/or (experienced) beta readers say? I find my editors are excellent at finding the scenes that are superfluous, could be cropped and also the ones that need more. I'd be trying to tighten it in the first instance, if I could.

The story arc highlights some of the finer points of Thumarian society, how different peoples within the whole live different lifestyles, and continue to contribute to the societies balance, along with a raging war. It is not finished yet, maybe by Jan. It is not ready for beta readers . Just trying to get an idea on how to do it best, when the time comes.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

The story arc highlights some of the finer points of Thumarian society, how different peoples within the whole live different lifestyles, and continue to contribute to the societies balance, along with a raging war. It is not finished yet, maybe by Jan. It is not ready for beta readers . Just trying to get an idea on how to do it best, when the time comes.

Then now is not the time to be worrying. Finish first, then see where you are.

 

[Tim Murray]

A lot depends on your writing skills.
It's difficult to say without sampling some of it.
My guess is that there might be room for tightening the narrative style a bit and doing some deep editing to determine what you have there that isn't necessary; as in that which doesn't move the story forward.

There is also the notion of how large the first two books are and how much tightening you did to get there. If they were not tightened; but they are doing well then you could damage the last book by making it too much different. On the other hand if you've not done tightening then tightening could be a relief to the readers.

If you do split it then you have to consider having two books that are complete rather than to have one just drop off, to go into the next; because all that that looks like is an author who saw more dollars in two book than they saw in one.

Editing is a ways away. Should have first draft done by Jan. I am just going on my experience trying to read monster novels. The longest I've read to date is the Harry Potter series. The books at the end were in the 700 page range. The story lines were exciting and the writing carried you through to the end.

 

[Tim Murray]

Is there a natural splitting point? One that's not just a splitting in two, but a resolution of the storyarcs? If not, it's problematic.

What does your editor and/or (experienced) beta readers say? I find my editors are excellent at finding the scenes that are superfluous, could be cropped and also the ones that need more. I'd be trying to tighten it in the first instance, if I could.

I'm sure that when the editor gets a hold of it, there will be plenty of tightening and cropping. My first book taught me that.

 

[anthorn]

I'm sure that when the editor gets a hold of it, there will be plenty of tightening and cropping. My first book taught me that.

Your first book was edited? Not being mean, but the samples you posted and the sample available on Amazon UK have not been edited.

 

[Brian G Turner]

What are your thoughts?

There are some really good recommendations on this thread for learning to write to commercial fiction standards:
https://www.sffchronicles.com/threads/551724/

Once you understand the technicalities of writing, you'll be able to better understand what forms a 'whole' novel and answer your original question directly.

 

[StuartBurchell]

Using a laptop, I go by word count because I don't know how many pages a publisher would give it, or what size font publisher would use.

I have read slim paperbacks with eight- or ten words per line and eight hundred page novels with fourteen words per line.

(At present my book is at 60k+ words but I'm nowhere near finished.)

 

[Tim Murray]

Your first book was edited? Not being mean, but the samples you posted and the sample available on Amazon UK have not been edited.

That would be my [old] first attempt in 2012. Much has changed since. That will not be the updated information.

 

[Tim Murray]

Using a laptop, I go by word count because I don't know how many pages a publisher would give it, or what size font publisher would use.

I have read slim paperbacks with eight- or ten words per line and eight hundred page novels with fourteen words per line.

(At present my book is at 60k+ words but I'm nowhere near finished.)

What drew you in on the 800 pagers to keep you interested?

 

[StuartBurchell]

The story or the author. Sometimes I wanted to know how the story ended, sometimes the writing was so good, I never really noticed the length.

 

[anthorn]

That would be my [old] first attempt in 2012. Much has changed since. That will not be the updated information.

But it's the sample you've put up on your indigogo page. You are literally saying this unedited mess is the best I can do and the best you can expect from me.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

paperbacks with eight- or ten words per line and eight hundred page novels with fourteen words per line

Libre Office offers a page calculation, based on words per page, which has a default of 1800 that can be changed*. Amazon has a standard "virtual page" size, I must note how many words it is.

(* Tools > Options > LibreOffice Writer > General > Word Count: [/] Show Standardised Page Count, Characters per Standardized Page [1800] )

 

[Tim Murray]

But it's the sample you've put up on your indigogo page. You are literally saying this unedited mess is the best I can do and the best you can expect from me.

I never said I was a English expert. In fact, I know I have a ways to go in that department. If I could afford a pro editor, I'm there. Did the best I could with the resources available to me. It's not out yet, and if it needs another go around, well, what's another few months. I do want to put out quality work, that's what I look for in constructive feedback. As far as Indiegogo, that's a flop!

 

[The Judge]

If you're looking for constructive feedback, then now you've reached 30 posts you can put unpublished work up in Critiques. Read the rules and guidelines first, though, the most important rule being the limit of 1500 words -- but a good bit less, say around 750 words, is usually best for a first extract.

 

[anthorn]

I never said I was a English expert. In fact, I know I have a ways to go in that department. If I could afford a pro editor, I'm there. Did the best I could with the resources available to me. It's not out yet, and if it needs another go around, well, what's another few months. I do want to put out quality work, that's what I look for in constructive feedback. As far as Indiegogo, that's a flop!

Thumbs up. Sorry if I've come across as an ass. Only trying to help.

 

[Tim Murray]

Thumbs up. Sorry if I've come across as an ass. Only trying to help.

Why and what makes it a mess? A few specifics might help. I am open to feedback that improves my writing.