Concerning speedy novels ‘r’ us, a reader writes:
3 days? I don’t know how one could even type the necessary number of words in that time. Typing 24 words per minute (not a fast typist, but a touch typist) would get you 86,400 words over 3 times 24 = 72 hours. That’s a short novel — and no breaks for eating, sleeping, etc.
While definitions are somewhat arbitrary, novels generally begin around 45,000 words, according to this Wikipedia article. In our sole entry, I wrote the first draft while Deb edited my fine convoluted sentences into staccato bursts, and we achieved around 32,000 words. With more time it would have been longer – there were facets that needed more exploration. Actually, having just looked it over, maybe trashing it would be the better part of discretion, or words to that effect. As I seem to recall, the Contest expects works to be around 30,000 words, so we made the expectation in terms of sheer volume. Certainly there are longer entries, of course – some folks can really fly. With a little bit of preparation, both in terms of plot and in terms of managing your family & friends, it’s possible to hit way more.
But if you feel like you have a story inside of you, it might be worth taking a shot at it. Sitting at your desk on Sunday with a warm wind blowing in at your back, wondering just how the hell John, who was left to rot in a hole in South America, has appeared at your main character’s wedding in Seattle, makes for some interesting contortions – and frantic typing.
And then when the damn program EATS your sex scene … which happened to Deb, not to me. Thank goodness.
