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Fiction Writing - What's the Fresh Perspective?

by Chris Lengley
7 replies
Hello,

I'm kind of like a dinosaur in this specific field; I think most people have already tried it, or are already doing that. Although, I'm a tad late, but I'm positive that fiction writing, on kindle, can be a blessing from heaven for me.

I've already read books regarding selling tactics, marketing, and etc. And, I've read and heard that some people are doing exceedingly well in this category, without any promotion or marketing; they're just writing extraordinary books, and uploading them, over and over.

And, that's what, I want to do too. But, I know, the reality often bullies you in the wrong way. Therefore, I don't want to expect too much... I just want to ask a few question before I start this thing.

1 - What's the perfect Word Count?

2 - When can I expect success? After 4 books? Or, 6?

3 - What's your special advice, if you're already a fiction writer?

I'm confident that I can write professional fiction books with excellent authority. However, I still want to see things from all possible angles.

Thank you!

Regards.
#fiction #fresh #perspective #writing
  • Profile picture of the author peteJ
    To answer you're first two questions, it depends.

    Firstly, there is no perfect word count. I say, limit the word count to when the book stops needing more. The reality is, there are people out there that want short little novels, and others that want long, you're not going to please both. Simply write until the story is done, limiting yourself with some arbitrary word count can only hurt your creativity.

    As far as how long it takes to "make it" it's all down to chance. You can influence that chance in your favor with a solid marketing campaign, but in the end some will make it after a single book, others never will after 20.

    My advice to you though, is don't give up. If you're truly passionate about writing keep at it. It might take a while to see success, but I like to believe that if you put enough effort into something you're bound to succeed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris Lengley
      Originally Posted by peteJ View Post

      To answer you're first two questions, it depends.

      Firstly, there is no perfect word count. I say, limit the word count to when the book stops needing more. The reality is, there are people out there that want short little novels, and others that want long, you're not going to please both. Simply write until the story is done, limiting yourself with some arbitrary word count can only hurt your creativity.

      As far as how long it takes to "make it" it's all down to chance. You can influence that chance in your favor with a solid marketing campaign, but in the end some will make it after a single book, others never will after 20.

      .
      So, what about 10 to 15 thousand words? Is it good? And, besides, it means the more I write (novels), the more chance I've to become successful?
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      • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
        Originally Posted by Chris Lengley View Post

        So, what about 10 to 15 thousand words? Is it good? And, besides, it means the more I write (novels), the more chance I've to become successful?
        I've found 'Novellas' of between 34K and 40K words work much the best for me, especially when I string several (3, 4 or 5) together in a series.

        Once they are all published, I keep the first in each series permanently free as a means of promoting the rest.
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  • Profile picture of the author blitzbc
    Do your research in Amazon. Find out which topics are selling the best. The key is good reviews. The more reviews you have = more sales (that is if they are good reviews) A suggestion to get a lot of reviews, join the KDP program and offer your book for free for a few days and mention in the book that if they like it to please leave a good review. Once your book starts making sales you will see it get ranked higher in Amazon. Then Amazon will also help promote your book.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    I've been writing fiction for 24 years (started in earnest when I was 15); shorts,novellas, novels, screenplays. I began the old-fashioned way: submitting short stories to magazines, winning a few competitions, getting a few publishing credits, and using the writing credits to land an agent, who, in turn, helped me get published. Fast-forward a few years and I'm working with independent filmmakers I met on FB. These chaps want no-to-low-budget scripts: 5-to-10 minute shorts; 90-minute features. Fast-forward a little further and I'm testing out pseudonyms and different types of fiction on Kindle, doing it myself.

    Can you use KDP to make an income? Sure. But you need the writing chops. In non-fiction, you need volume and basic ability; in fiction, it's about talent. I would get started by writing a series of novellas. Quicker to write, and if your readers like the first in the series, they'll likely stick around until the very last. At which point, maybe you can start a new series, or get yourself an agent and go the traditional route.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scaramanga
    You shouldn't even be thinking in terms of 'word counts' if you are going to write good fiction, IMO.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
      Originally Posted by Scaramanga View Post

      You shouldn't even be thinking in terms of 'word counts' if you are going to write good fiction, IMO.
      It's a prerequisite to be a jobbing author; which isn't to say, of course, a good jobbing author. Magazines and publishing houses enforce strict word counts. With KDP, though, anything goes. Overall, word counts do help new writers with structure; if you're the planning sort, and then you'll likely map everything down to the last sentence.
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