[SBlueman]

I was looking to have this show up in the new thread template.

I actually got this to work and am sharing it in case anyone wants to use it:

Step 1: Open "editor_toolbar_on" template
Step 2: Find

<textarea name="message" id="{$editorid}_textarea" rows="10" cols="60" style="display:block; width:$stylevar[messagewidth]; height:{$editor_height}px" tabindex="1" dir="$stylevar[textdirection]">$newpost[message]</textarea>

Step 3: After, add:

<script language="JavaScript">
function countit(){
var formcontent=document.vbform.{$editorid}_textarea.value
formcontent=formcontent.split(" ")
document.vbform.wordcount3.value=formcontent.length
}
</script>
<input type="button" value="Calculate Words" onClick="countit()"> 
<input type="text" name="wordcount3" size="20">

Works like a charm for what I needed! Now members can check how many words they have posted before submitting a new post or thread.