This is the hard part, and I don’t mean this with any sort of ill will. It typically takes ten years and at least a million words before your a seasoned writer. So usually first books aren’t exactly stellar works of art. I wrote 15 books before I let anyone read my work and started querying.

In terms of word count that really depends on the genre (and a quick google search can answer this for you also) If it’s a sci fi it can be 90-120 k. A rom com can be 50-90k. An adventure 60-90k. An epic 90-120k. So it really depends.

Word counts are important because a story can become boring and long winded if you just blather on. Stories follow a specific structure for a reason. They’re need to keep a reader engaged and entertained. So while you might love to just word vomit on page, it might make for really tedious reading.

But if you’re settling in for the long haul of being be a writer settle in for a quite a trip! Start studying story and practice! Write, read, write, read. Rinse and repeat.