Magic Numbers

In my current existence, magic numbers are those that are hard coded into your software somewhat arbitrarily.

I'm beginning to learn that writing has its own magic numbers. Bodies of published work, much like the essays we wrote (or avoided) in high school, have standard word counts that are expect. For a first time novel, that number is around 70, 000. I'm not sure how achievable that is for me at this point, but I've already written 4500+ words without completing a chapter.

So far these words represent a first draft of the pivitol moments in three separate chapters. And speaking further in vague details, my current outline consists of 15 chapters. I'm not sure if this is standard either, or if a standard even applies. If the story is told and the pacing is correct, then the book has done its job, right?