*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7960-Focus-on-Numbers-in-Writing.html
Fantasy: November 09, 2016 Issue [#7960]

Newsletter Header
Fantasy


 This week: Focus on Numbers in Writing
  Edited by: Dawn Embers
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn

Today we discuss numbers for story, genre and beyond. Numbers are important for writers and help dictate certain factors to story classification and even to a degree, reader preference.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Letter from the editor

We're in November, which for a number of us means National Novel Writing Month time and focusing on the attempt to write a novel (or part of a novel) within that month. That means, we are very focused on numbers because the goal is 50,000 words, there are only 30 days and about 1,667 words per day. But we're not the only ones who often have to think about numbers. Writing words often has an association with numbers in fantasy and beyond.

First there is the overall number of words, which place the story in categories. Limited counts make the difference between short stories, flash fiction and even the every challenging micro fiction. Aside from determining which shorter category, at times the smaller word limits help in more considering contests have word count requirements. There are also some readers when wandering the sight who will prefer reading/reviewing something that is much smaller.

Short isn't the only category. Novelettes, novellas and novels all have a specific range of word counts and each have more success in certain genres. All of them have had success in the scope of fantasy and science fiction, along with the shorter and mid-range being popular also within romance. The good part of speculative fiction is that it works for a number of word count ranges that go from very short to the epic novels that are many many thousands of words in length.

Numbers can also find their ways within the depths of the stories as well, not just for dictating factors on the technical side. In fact, I'm sure there are a few fantasy stories that use numbers within their magic systems. I haven't read one yet but I'm interested in idea of numerical based magic.

Or it could be that a number is important to a character. There are many superstitions when it comes to such. There are the good side where things are considered positive or with fortune depending on the number. For some it might be the three, maybe a seven, or having the same number a few times in a row. Other numbers are not considered with such a happy view, such as the number 13 where even hotels will avoid having a "thirteenth" floor even though any that have 13 or more do technically have that number, even if it's missing the title.

Writers and characters alike can have a focus for numbers and it's all in how you use them as to what they dictate. Do you write flash fiction? Are you doing a novel? Does your character hope to find items in sets of three? The question is: what numbers are important for you and your writing?


Editor's Picks

The WDC NanoLounge  (13+)
A nano place to chat about NanoWrimo...
#1491696 by The StoryMaster


FORUM
I Write in December-January-February  (E)
Write and review once a week for the three coldest months of the year.
#1906302 by Annette


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#3034443 by Not Available.


SURVEY
Journey Through Genres: Official Contest  (E)
Write a short story in the given genre to win big prizes!
#1803133 by Writing.Com Support


The Guardians  (13+)
Their duty is the guard the gateway. Or is it?
#2091842 by Kit


 
STATIC
Z-23  (E)
Emergency landing on an uninhabited planetoid, only it isn't.
#2101995 by D. Reed Whittaker


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2102021 by Not Available.


 Fireflies for the Demon: Prologue   (13+)
My attempt at writing something cool. Teenagers, superpowers, corrupt government....yay?
#2102131 by inkandravens


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

How are numbers important for you story or novel? How many words do you need to write?


Last time, I discussed the combination of horror and fantasy (or sci-fi). Here is the one comment sent in when it came to the topic presented:

Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published

Like you horror is something I'm not good at writing. I can write some riveting scenes where something scary might be happening, but not an entire book where you have to keep the reader on the edge of their seats almost the entire time. I think I'll leave things like that up to the real experts like Steven King and Dean Koontz.


*Cat*

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7960-Focus-on-Numbers-in-Writing.html