When I first started writing this book, I figured it'd be about 200 pages. It's clear to me now that my first draft will be over 250 pages, typed and double-spaced. Maybe more. I was beginning to think that it was too long for the current market, since getting published is my goal and a fit into the market is a must if that's gonna happen.
Then I found this info on a blog I follow: The average number of pages in books for teens has been increasing steadily over the last few decades. Part of that is because of the increased popularity of fantasy, which tends to run longer than average. (Maybe that's why I love fantasy. It tends to wander.) But other genres have increased in length as well. Here's the stats I found.
Average length in 1979: 151 pages,
1989: 157 pages,
1999: 233 pages,
2009: 337 pages.
So maybe I'm right on target after all. I guess I'll just keep writing until the story's told and not stress about the length.
the way i feel is, its not a movie you dont have to squeeze so much within so much. i say, lay it out and what it is, it is.
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