Average Word Count for a D&D novel

[Umbran]

Perhaps Jordan wasn't the best example to use. I should have used Tad Williams.

Williams is a far better example, but he's an exception, in that he specifically chose to rework and modernize a known type of story (LotR). In general, such authors have their own ideas, and don't have a whole lot of use for the setting and character conceits typical of D&D.

Basically, if you're really good at making up your own world and getting paid for it, why do you want to borrow someone else's?

 

[Dire Bare]

Williams is a far better example, but he's an exception, in that he specifically chose to rework and modernize a known type of story (LotR). In general, such authors have their own ideas, and don't have a whole lot of use for the setting and character conceits typical of D&D.

Basically, if you're really good at making up your own world and getting paid for it, why do you want to borrow someone else's?

I disagree that Williams is an exception, I find quality, mediocrity, and crapitude in all genres I'm familiar with, including BFE (Big F'ing Epics).

First, a few things about Williams (not to prove/disprove a point, but just because I love him so): The "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" trilogy was written "on a bet" so to speak, but that doesn't change how amazing it is (not that I think you'd disagree). Also, it isn't the only BFE in Williams body of work. Also check out his "Otherland" series (4 chunky novels plus a novella), "Shadowmarch" (4 chunky novels), and "The War of the Flowers" (only one novel, but very chunky). All excellent works of fiction (IMO).

But all that is beside the point, we can all trot out good and bad examples of the form and criticize the weak points of even very popular series ("Wheel of Time"). All I really started with is "this is what I'd love to see", which you can't really argue. What we're really debating is "it probably wouldn't be a good idea for WotC to pursue this type of work for various reasons".

I think that writing a BFE would be a lot harder a task than a more standard 300 page length story, and the difficulty would be compounded with each extra book in the series. My dream, of seeing a ten-chunky-book-plus D&D epic would be a serious task for any author. More difficult for the author(s), more difficult for the editors, more difficult for WotC . . . especially if they tried to tie it into their various game lines like the recent "Neverwinter" series. But I think it can be done, and be done with quality. And personally, I'd squee like a little girl if WotC decided to tackle this type of project and pulled it off.

But, getting back to my original post . . . it's what I'd love to see WotC do. For my own selfish reasons. Can't argue that!

 

[Umbran]

I disagree that Williams is an exception, I find quality, mediocrity, and crapitude in all genres I'm familiar with, including BFE (Big F'ing Epics).

I think you may misunderstand. Williams is an exception not due to quality, but by approach. "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" is explicitly and intentionally a sort of a modern version of LotR. It was a specific goal to essentially do a rewrite of an older work. It isn't just a BFE, it's a very specific BFE. That is the exception - not many writers choose that route.

 

[Dire Bare]

Williams is a far better example, but he's an exception, in that he specifically chose to rework and modernize a known type of story (LotR). In general, such authors have their own ideas, and don't have a whole lot of use for the setting and character conceits typical of D&D.

Basically, if you're really good at making up your own world and getting paid for it, why do you want to borrow someone else's?

I think you may misunderstand. Williams is an exception not due to quality, but by approach. "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" is explicitly and intentionally a sort of a modern version of LotR. It was a specific goal to essentially do a rewrite of an older work. It isn't just a BFE, it's a very specific BFE. That is the exception - not many writers choose that route.

Sorry about misunderstanding . . . but I think I got you now (?). Why would an author who's already tackled a BFE series of his/her own write a D&D novel series using someone else's world?

Why indeed. Why not? Why would an established author used to writing "standard-length" fiction choose to write in a shared world? Why would a brand-new author choose to write a D&D novel? Why would anybody? Writing in shared world fiction has a different set of challenges than writing in your own fictional world, so what's your point? WotC could ask an author who's already established in this genre, and maybe that author is a childhood D&D fan and would jump at the chance . . . or not. Maybe WotC could work with an author new to the genre, everybody's got to start somewhere . . . or not. Not seeing any bearing. Is the fact that WotC has very few "chunky" fantasy epics due to the fact nobody wants to write such a book for WotC, or that WotC has never asked, or something else? How likely is it that WotC might choose to do this type of project in the future? Don't really know, of course, but again, that's what I'd love to see!

And . . . Tad Williams is the PERFECT example for this discussion! He took on the challenge of writing an original epic fantasy in the tradition of LotR because somebody told him it couldn't be done, or done well. He proved that person wrong with a sprawling epic over four volumes. Who's to say that Williams, or another author, might not look at the challenge of writing an epic D&D fantasy in the same light? "It can't be done, at least not done well." "Oh, RLY?"

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

Does any one know where I can find a word count for D&D novels?
Either an average word count/book or specific page counts would work too.

How about page count as well?

thanks all,

So, do you want to be Terry Brooks or do you actually have stories you want to tell? Not to slam Brooks too hard because he's good at what he does, but there's a difference between writing novels just because you can make money at it and writing novels because you might actually have something to say.

I say your novel should be as long as it NEEDS to be to tell your story, and no longer. If you actually have difficulty determining how long that is, well that's what your editor is for isn't it?

 

[FreeXenon]

I say your novel should be as long as it NEEDS to be to tell your story, and no longer. If you actually have difficulty determining how long that is, well that's what your editor is for isn't it?

I tend to agree with you. I am just doing so info gathering and mulling things over. =)

Thanks for the input.

 

[Dire Bare]

So, do you want to be Terry Brooks or do you actually have stories you want to tell? Not to slam Brooks too hard because he's good at what he does, but there's a difference between writing novels just because you can make money at it and writing novels because you might actually have something to say.

I think you are slamming Brooks too hard. You assume he's got "nothing to say" and writes simply for a paycheck. Yeah, that's harsh, whether you enjoy his work or not. You're not knocking his quality as an author, but rather his personal motives for writing. It's true that artists of any stripe who make a living at what they do (musicians, novelists, actors, etc) constantly must balance their creative impulses with what will bring in the money . . . but to assume a particular author "writes for the money" (i.e. is a sellout) is unfair. It's no more fair than throwing that at ANY author who writes for a living, Stephen King, Tad Williams, George RR Martin, etc.

Besides, story length has nothing to do with "writing for the money". For a first time author, I'd imagine (but really don't know) that a "standard-length" novel would be an easier sell. Sorry to jump on you for this, but it's a pet peeve of mine (why, I'm not entirely sure).

I say your novel should be as long as it NEEDS to be to tell your story, and no longer. If you actually have difficulty determining how long that is, well that's what your editor is for isn't it?

Ideally, this would be true. But if you are trying to sell your novel, certain publishers may be looking for specific lengths and other factors. Especially if you are looking to get into gaming fiction. As was discussed upthread, WotC has been VERY consistent with publishing 300 page novels. If you write your 1,500 page epic fantasy set in the Realms, they might be willing to break that up into smaller volumes, or they might pass altogether, regardless of the quality of your writing.

 

[Dire Bare]

I tend to agree with you. I am just doing so info gathering and mulling things over. =)

Thanks for the input.

I may not need to add this, but if you are interested in writing fiction for WotC, they don't often look at submissions . . . you don't ask them to consider your novel, they ask you for proposal based on your prior work. They have had open submission periods before, but it's not their normal policy. Unless, of course, that's changed.

Best thing to do, contact WotC's book department with your questions!

 

[FreeXenon]

Makes sense.

Thanks!

 

[Nellisir]

As of 2002, 90,000 words.
WOTC Forgotten Realms open submission for freelance writers