Bulk up your word count

I have a few suggestions for bulking up one’s word count when doing a 50K word rough draft in 30 days. None of these are “have-to.” Just do the ones that work with your way of writing:

• Summarize each scene in one sentence. Complete the whole story, then:
• Go back to the beginning and summarize each scene in one paragraph. Or this could also be a more detailed outline of the scene. Or a combination of paragraphs and outlines. Whatever works. Then:
• Go back to the beginning and write the whole narrative for each scene. You can start your story by skipping to this. Most people do. That’s okay. Or you can start with the first two bullet points. Pantsers probably won’t, but that’s okay. For plotters, planning out your story as part of the 30 days can give you a complete story and bulk up your word count. It’s up to you.
• Write out detailed character descriptions for all the main characters. You can do this before you officially start, or you can do this before you begin the 30 days of writing. It’s up to you.
• Include a page of minor characters, a sentence on who they are, and a couple of characteristics. Maybe even a short description of their appearance and clothing style.
• Include a codex page in your word count. Make a list of names and descriptions of places and things in your novel. This helps you keep track of town names, organization names, and so on.
• Include a writing diary with your word count. Each day, write a few paragraphs about how the writing went that day. Or how you feel the story is going.
• This draft includes a lot of exposition and info-dumping. The plan is to go back later and fix the first draft so it can be messy.
• Use flashbacks and backstories in your scenes. You can take these out in later drafts.
• Go overboard when describing the setting at the beginning of a scene.
• Go overboard when describing characters the first time they make an appearance. Update their appearance with an overabundance of words when necessary.
• Remember to include an inner monologue for the point-of-view character in each scene. This is another great way to increase the word count and help the reader feel closer to the character.
• At the beginning of each scene or chapter, list the characters in this scene. This helps the writer keep track and avoid the “Oh, yeah, this character hasn’t said anything the whole scene” problem.
• Give each scene a title. I number my scenes during the rough draft to keep track, but adding a title helps build up the word count. It’s up to you.

Again, these are just suggestions. Use the ones that help you write your rough draft quickly. one’s that help you write your rough draft quickly.

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