Turn, Turn, Turn … -or- Perceptions on Pages

Author:	Gregory P. Epley
Published:	03/22/2022
Rated:	PG (mild strong language)

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A common question asked after I mentioned I was writing a novel was, “How many pages have you got so far?”, or something to that effect.

There are a few problems with this question. A first problem is that this question is really only relevant in print publishing. That is, the traditional form of actual paper or print books. Then, how many pages it is depends on factors like the paper or page size, its margins, line spacing and characteristics of the typeface or font the text is printed in.

If you keep every factor but the size of the typeface the same, then it should be common sense that a book printed with a 12-point typeface will occupy more pages than the same book printed in a 6-point typeface, since increasing point sizes mean an overall larger print or type. However, due to all the characteristics of a font or typeface, 12-point type does not necessarily equate to twice as much space as a 6-point typeface. It’s just not quite that simple, but the purpose of this article isn’t discussing the detailed characteristics of a typeface. The point remains that a larger point font or typeface equals more print pages than a smaller font or typeface.

With digital publishing, readers can generally select colors and type which are most comfortable for reading. This is a key selling point of digital publishing. The text of the book then flows according to the choices the reader made for their own comfortable reading experience. This choice is generally beyond the control of the author and/or publisher.

Consequently, if the reader selects a larger font or typeface, or a font or typeface which broader or larger characteristics, then obviously the resulting text will occupy more space or pages. If you don’t believe it, then just try it with some digital books, assuming the reader you’re using somehow relates how many pages the book is. Otherwise, the only other way to observe this effect is with a word processor or text editor which tells you how many pages a document is.

Another problem is the assumption made that “more pages must be better than less pages”. This assumption is as useful as “judging a book by its cover”. Both are mistakes, but some people just never learn, so that just is what it is.

Still, consider listening to a public speaker who just drones on and on over their topic versus a public speaker who concisely relates their topic. Most people would rather watch grass grow or paint dry rather than listening to the droning public speaker, and likewise, more pages are not necessarily telling of better.

However, having said that, I am also of the belief that a writer should focus on telling their story versus worrying over how many pages it is or isn’t. The most important factor in writing should be telling the story, regardless of how many pages this takes. Yes, there is something to be said for being concise, but a balance should be struck between concise and complete. One can be too concise, just as one can be overly wordy.

A critic or reader may read and decide, “Good golly! I could’ve told that story far more concisely!”

Yes, and said reader is deciding this in hindsight, having read someone else’s attempt. It is always easier to judge the work of others in hindsight than to get it just right the first time out of the proverbial chute. The process isn’t as simplified as critics portray it to be. Critics are, after all, “criticizing”, versus doing whatever they’re criticizing themselves. Writing a critique isn’t the same as writing a book, making a movie or writing, performing and recording an album of music.

I have personally read a lot of fiction stories which I thought would make good television series, but none have ever been attempted, or if they were attempted, never made it to release. No, it was easier to again “reboot” something from the 1970s or 1980s or whatever, or to take a relatively thin book and turn it into a movie, than to come up with some new original concept.

My point being … let’s just let the whole “how many pages is it” thing go. Along with the “if it’s not this many pages, then” it’s either boring because there isn’t enough or because there’s too much. Just read the damn story and let it be what it is! If you like it, that’s great, but if you don’t like it, then do better yourself with your own story. If you can’t do that, then I would like to propose the following axiom … “Those who can, do; those who can’t, criticize everyone else who at least try”.

And now that you know all about my perspective on pages, you may “close” this tab and return to the point which brought you here. Thanks for reading!