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Rated: 13+ · Message Forum · Writing.Com · #100931

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I generally avoid using the WdC word count checker, but when I do, I find there's a discrepancy between what I get from Google Docs and what the site tells me. It's always fewer words when I post it here, usually by about 15, allowing for the WML which I often add straight into the Doc.

I don't quite understand how this is possible, and it makes me very nervous when I'm writing for contests with a tight word count, especially the Official Contest (2k.)

Just now, for instance, I updated and expanded a story, "The Foreigner's Clothes" Open in new Window. and WdC reports it is within the word count. But I fear there's an issue... I tried to find one of those sites that removes all punctuation for counting, and I found https://countwordsfree.com/ The word count comes out as 2061 *Shock2* but the "MS Word" style count is under 2k *Confused*

So yeah... What method do the official contest judges use to ensure word counts follow the rules? Is it taken on faith by what we list at the bottom? Or do they verify it? Now I've got the heebie-jeebies *Yikes*

Thanks in advance for any help!

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Some word counters disregard single-letter words like 'a' (as in "it was like a clock"). Others disregard anything less than four letters (examples: a, at, the, etc., pad, wok). Others have a specific list of words to ignore.

For WDC competitions, use the WDC word counter. For competitions and submissions elsewhere, state what software you used to perform the word count with the submission.

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