Thanks for reading and the compliment! This is how I do it: I try to estimate the length of the sentence and then I construct the sentence to end when I think I am close to the number of words required. I then count the words. Sometimes I get it right and I don't need to do anything else. When the number isn't right, I edit the sentence but retain the idea it puts across.
It sounds tedious, but it isn't really, and I've noticed the more that I do it, I get better at estimating sentence lengths by sight while I'm writing it. I've also noticed that the way I'm doing it, seems to help develop the flow of the story itself! It seems to always come out smooth and easy to read.
I'm scratching my head on that one! 🤔
I find that if I let the numbers control me, my story doesn't seemed to come out right and can be very frustrating.
I think I will give it a try again.. And not too overworked with the number count. Perhaps let the story flow like you say
I would agree with @free-reign that the more someone does it, the easier it gets to use close to the right amount of words. I used to struggle more, and there was one thing I found fairly helpful. Writing bits and pieces of what I needed to include as one long sentence with no punctuation, then looking at different ways I could break it up, add or take from it, to fit it into the sentences.
This sounds like a really great way to get familiar with recognizing the sentence lengths, as well as helping with keeping the story flow. I hadn't thought of it when I started participating in this contest, but I can certainly see the value!
Yes, I think that's definitely an issue at first; the numbers can seem a bit overbearing for the task. To get the focus off the numbers is key. The numbers only matter to me when I check the word count of a sentence I've already written.
The only other time I focus on the numbers is when I am done and I check the final count for the whole story to make sure it's right.
I think the reply from @letalis-laetitia could help greatly with getting you used to using the numbers but not letting them affect your work, and aid you in estimating the sentence lengths at the same time.