As with so many brilliant questions, the answer is ‘it depends.’
What kind of writer do you want to be?
It’s funny isn’t it, how no one says how many toilets do you unblock to become a plumber? Or how many flowers do you pick, cabbages do you nurture before you are a gardener? I guess it’s because as writers we are often introverts and creatives, maybe requiring extra reassurance of our worth. Although I rarely see anyone, ask how many paintings you must paint to be called an artist.
A Haiku is a complete art of storytelling, immense power in just 17 syllables. You may write just one a day, every day with your morning coffee. To me, that is still validating you as a writer.
Ask any writer. They’ll tell you getting the word count up isn’t the problem. The skill is honing it down to the essentials without losing its power or purpose.
I’m guessing from the question, and that you’re even reading this, that you already have the writing bug. You just need to choose how you wish to focus that zone of genius.*
[ *Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap ]
Author
You can go deep. Write that competitor for War and Peace with a whopping 580000+ words, or Lord of the Rings with its measly 570000+.
It might not be the best way to earn a living, short term at least, but it’s an option.
Short Story Writer
I write short stories in various pen names. I write 500 word flash fiction. (Download a collection here for free!)
My next ‘tier’ is around 3k, erotic shorts. People who read that genre have one goal, they don’t want to hang around too long. Spare the blushes!
7-10k is my average word count for longer erotic fiction and steamy romance. For those who like a deeper connection and story, along with their steam.
Both these size stories can build series. Many writers use the ‘short and often’ publication method to build highly successful careers, often in multiple pen names, one for each niche.
Freelance Writer / Ghost Writer
I can’t possibly cover this here. It would take all day. But think about every single article you have ever read. From news to book. Someone wrote it. Not necessarily the person whose name is on it. They could be a freelancer. I am, check out my page HERE
This is definitely horses for courses. Find a niche, and start pitching. Oh, and build a portfolio. Word counts will depend on your area, research as ever will be key here.
Blogger
You can write on Medium with posts as short as one minute reads. That translates to about 275 words.
This older post from Medium explains how they calculate reading time.
You can blog on your own site, build an audience. Even though other social media is going from strength to strength, blogs i.e. written articles still have their place. Just spend a few minutes on Pinterest to understand the scope, depth and possibilities of blogging.
If you choose this route think about creating evergreen content. Years down the line someone may come across your article.
The Medium post I quote above is from 2014!
Journalist
This is changing fast. From the stereotypical old hacks in smoky London pubs, to internet social media imagery. The power of social media can not be over-stated. Why do you think political superpowers try to switch off the internet?
I won’t go into how to be a journalist but if you google it you will find many articles that tell you, first you must get a degree. Of course study is important, but the world is changing. Media is definitely no longer the exclusive domain of journalism graduates with connections. I’m not detracting from their skills, but podcasters, bloggers and passionate amateurs are changing the world through their words.
If you want to use your voice this way, do it. Shout Louder.
A few words in a tweet to a full on doorstopper of a hardback book, it all counts.
Submission Rules
If you want to submit work as a journalist, blogger or author the publication will have submission rules. Find them, read them, and stick to them. The old saying ‘it’s not what you know but who’ still applies, even if slightly diluted, so network online.
Go Indie
You no longer have to go cap in hand to a publication, independent work is just as valid, and as you might just keep way more profit too!
If you want to write a book or two, this guide might be what you need.
Memoir – 45,000 to 80,000
Self-Help Book – 30,000 – 70,000
Fantasy Novel – 50,000 – 150,000
Sci-fi Novel – 50,000 – 150,000
Romance Novel – 50,000 – 90,000
Mystery Novel – 40,000 – 80,000
Horror Novel – 40,000 – 80,000
Dystopian Novel – 60,000 -120,000
Contemporary Novel – 60,000 – 90,000
Young Adult Book – 60,000 – 90,000
Middle-Grade Book – 20,000 – 55,000
Check out the original post on Self Publishing School it has loads of information about genres and niches.
So How Many Words Does It Take Before I Can Call Myself A Writer?
As I said at the start, it all depends. Be fore-warned writing is addictive. It’s powerful and empowering. Don’t allow snobbery, titles or lack of qualifications to stop you putting pen to paper, fingers on keys or words into a dictation app.
You will write more than you imagine, go down rabbit holes you never saw coming and have a clean house, and a better coffee machine. Mostly you will have a love of words and stringing them together into some sort of order.
What do you want to write? I’d love to hear about it.
If you already write, what is your favourite piece so far?
Drop a link in the comments so I can check it out!
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An edited version of this post will be shared on my Medium blog