/lit/ - Literature

>>15958634
>use a big word
>someone asks you what it means
>know how to use it in the correct context but can't give the literal definition without looking it up
>end up verbally fumbling, trying to describe it the best you can
>they still don't get it

>writing novel, second draft since I fucked up the first one (couldn't end it in a good way without deus ex machina or killing the main character)
>look up how long I should expect it to be, since I never actually did this the first time
>50k-100k words on average, 150k for sci-fi
>250k-300k is getting to the point of "way too long"
>look at my first draft (which was never finished), 212k
>look at current draft, 46k
>mfw the main section of the plot is literally only starting now
So I guess I'm not asking for critique of my writing, but feedback on how long is too long for a novel? It's hard sci-fi from the perspective of a nonhuman character so there's a lot of writing done to establish the setting and society (also it's in first person). I'm not trying to stretch it out or anything, all the shit in there needs to be there to make the plot and setting coherent.
I'm generally tending towards just letting the autism flow through me and not giving a fuck but I guess if someone else agrees that this is a good idea I'll be more confident that I'm not wasting my time.