Thursday, February 23, 2012

Let me count the ways....

Submitting a manuscript requires lots of preparation. With formatting, headers, fonts and word count, I’m so confused…but then, that’s not totally unexpected, right?


I’ve just finished – well, several months ago actually- a contemporary manuscript complete at 63,494 words using the word counter in my word program.
But the manuscript is 305 pages, double spaced, courier 12 pt. And by the old standard calculations, 300 pages were considered to be 75,000 words.

• this chart was copied from the website of www.charlottedillon/ManuscriptPreparation.html

Word Count by Page

Please note: this word count only works if you use the standard MS formatting of a courier 12, 25 lines per page, about 10 words per line. If you are using some other format, or font, then you’ll need to figure your word count with another formula or use the word count from your computer, which is the count many, if not most publisher request now days.

160 pages = 40,000 words 340 pages = 85,000 words
180 pages = 45,000 words 360 pages = 90,000 words
200 pages = 50,000 words 380 pages = 95,000 words
220 pages = 55,000 words 400 pages = 100, 000 words
240 pages = 60,000 words 420 pages = 105,000 words
260 pages = 65,000 words 440 pages = 110,000 words
280 pages = 70,000 words 460 pages = 120,000 words
300 pages = 75,000 words 480 pages = 120,000 words
320 pages = 80,000 words 500 pages = 125,000 words





Personally, I would rather use the old standard chart because most single titles start around 70,000 words. Of course 63,494 words would be too short, right? It’s not the required length traditional publishers are looking for. If I were to use the old standard calculation, 300 pages x 250 words = 75,000 I’d be perfectly within the specifications.
But then…traditional publishing has gone haywire amid all the electronic books being sold these days. I’m told they actually like shorter, faster reads and that novella’s (like Night Bird, which is coming in May) are easier to sell.

So, what to do? Out with the old and in with the new?



How do you count the words in your manuscript?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

What's in your cupboard?

Remember running to the cupboard and grabbing your favorite glass before anyone else had a chance to get it? In my case, my brother and I always struggled in front of the sink, making Mom nervous as we sloshed whatever kool-aid concoction we had. He usually managed to get Tom leaving me with the Jerry jelly glass. But I didn't mind too much.

Little did I know I would lose those jelly glasses years later to a slicker, more smooth talking kind of guy. My grandson carried them off once he became enaromed with cartoons. Still, it's reassuring to know kids really haven't changed much.



Remember when MacDonalds gave away these cool mugs? The year was 1993. Wow, seems like only yesterday.


And for the more serious occassions, like watching television, my hubby and I grab for these glasses. He claims the textured flowers on the side prevents slipping. Me, however, I just love the flowers and wonderful colors.


I will turn the entire kitchen upside down searching for the one cup I must have to enjoy my coffee in the morning. The white Diner style cup has OHIO written on the bottom and most likely did serve many a truck driver or weary traveler before I rescued it. It holds about 6oz. just enough to keep the coffee piping hot (a must for me.) Of course I can use the beige one...gee, I'm not a stickler, you know. : ) But I prefer the other. Last weekend I accidently dropped it on ceramic tile and it didn't even break. No fooling. It sounded like a tree falling, coffee went everywhere, but the cup was still in one peice.


What can say? They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Do you have a favorite, must have cup or plate you love to use?

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Choosing a TBR, Keeper or Donate?

I was reorganizing my bookshelves yesterday trying to make room for the ever growing pile of TBR (to be read) books. Seriously, I have them double lined now on four separate bookselves. Since there's no room to add another book shelf, I've got some thinning out to do. I'll give the ones that I've read or for whatever reason, books I know I won't be reading, to my fantastic sister-in-law in an effort to make room on the shelves for more. And with our chapter retreat (Mid-Michigan RWA writers retreat) in April, I know I'll end up with several bags, baskets and arms full of juicy stories to cart home.




Back at the shelf. So far I have a nice, tidy pile. Small, and well...embarassing. I mean, come on. There's got to several hundred books up there! And the pitiful few books on the floor won't even fill one bag. I sigh heavily and pull down a couple more, then add to the stack without reading the backcover blurb, because if I did that....

I am not stingy. Honest. But somewhere in the back of my mind is a vision. Call it a premonition, but I catch myself dreaming of the day when I've got nothing to do except put my feet up, select a glossy dark chocolate from the box nearby and read uninterrupted for hours. My housekeeper will vacum around me and dear hubby will come home after working overtime with a stack of movies he plans to watch all evening while I read. Oh, and there'll also be chinese take out for dinner.



Hoo-Ra!!

Double-Bubble! Did you hear the pop? As in wishfully dreaming. Those days aren't here yet. But there's always the chance I mght fall and break a leg or something. Suppose I were forced to convalesce on the sofa for days? I'd need all those books to get me though it, right?

Oh, boy! That would never happen. The laid up part. There's no way DH would hear of it. Handy Andy would be out in the garage so fast I'd get whiplash, rigging up some kind of splint or automatic prop. Hopefully using the endless amount of foam rubber he aquired from his bro's trailer factory days. : )

But that's a different blog story. So...back to the books.

How to do decide what to give away and what to keep?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Knock me over with a feather!

In my opinion writers are a very special kind of people. We feel things...literally with all of the senses. Writers are always thinking of others (we refer to them as characters) and deeply appreciate the kind gestures, encouragment and help we recieve from other writer friends.

I've been so lucky to have met and critiqued with Christine Warner, a super sweet lady who fast became a supporter and cheerleader to me. Yesterday she presented me with the Liebster Blog Award to proudly display on my blog.
Thank you so much Christine!


All that's required to accept this award is:
Thank the person who gave it to them and link back to that person's blog.
Copy and paste the award to your blog.
Choose 5 blogs to award in kind and break the news by commenting on those blogs.
Hope those people pay it forward in turn by accepting and awarding "The Liebster Blog Award" to blogs they'd like to honor.

Pretty easy to do, pretty amazing to award.

My chosen five are:
Diane Burton
Margo Hoornstra
Dawn Brown
Patrica Kiyono
Loralee Lilabridge