Novella, Novella
Writing short doesn’t mean writing easy. We’ll get that out of the way right now. You hear people dismissing category all the time. They could ‘churn out’ some of those ‘little books'(if they had time). *choke snort wheeze*
But the thing about writing category is that the reader expects and deserves the full experience they would get from a longer book. The emotion, the character arc, the believable ending. And doing it in roughly half the word count of a single title is…well, it’s hard. It’s its own skill.
And because I KNOW how hard it is, the word novella has long sent a shiver of fear down my spine.
So last month sometime my editor called and asked if I wanted to write a prequel novella to the upcoming Santina Crown continuity.
Me: YES! *shivers*
Then I hear 15K words.
Me: STILL YES. *shivers more*
I was so excited to be asked. But also scared because the idea of a novella had long been terrifying to me, and then one THAT short…well, I think I said eek a few times.
But a funny thing happened as I started to work on my Runaway Heiress/Jilted Sheikh novella: I had fun. Yeah, I didn’t expect that either!
So with the experience of writing the novella behind me (and revisions for said novella a likely possibility!) I wanted to talk a bit about what helped ME get through it.
1. They knew each other. With 15K words I did NOT feel up to the task of taking two characters who didn’t know each other and attempting to have them make it to a believable HEA. Nope. Not Gun Do it. I found starting with characters who had an existing connection a big help to making the story work.
2. Make sure the conflict is the right size. His abusive father’s horrible behavior has made it impossible for him to trust and he has major flashbacks and serious agorophobia. No, that conflict is too big. She misheard him saying something one of his friends and ran away. No, that conflict is too small. The conflict has to be the right size to serve the length of the book, so that it can be resolved in the time you have allotted without skipping A WHOLE CRAP TON OF STUFF.
3. If it’s not important, it doesn’t belong. Scene setting description and to the point action and dialogue is the order of the day. No need to spend lots of time telling us about every detail of a room in the palace, or what everyone’s wearing (unless it’s important!) but you have to know what’s important and why, so you don’t wrack up word count with things that don’t advance the story.
So those are some things I learned writing my novella. If you have more questions, as me in the comments! I might have forgotten something. If you have some tips for me, and my readers, on how YOU write novellas…please share them in comments! I’m new to the format, and I’d love to learn all that I can!
Oh yes, and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays!! 😀
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Congrats on your first short! Oddly, though most of my stories are novellas, I’ve only written one story as short as 16K. It is hard to write both well and short! And yeah, conflict size is a major issue, as is using tropes that people find familiar.
For example, in my shortest story, the hero was cupid and I riffed off the legend of cupid and psyche. So, basically people already knew the story. Sure, I modernized the cupid thing a lot. But I didn’t have to explain about bows and arrows, that he’s a god, etc…
If you’re creating a whole new species or mythology, you need a longer format.
So I guess, that’s my words of wisdom for the paranormal crowd. If you’re writing short, go vampire. Or some other well-known mythical creature.
Oh, and it’s my opinion that readers adore erotic romance novellas in the 36K range. Oddly, erotic romance lends itself well to that length. Not sure why. :/
Truly helpful hints! Thanks to the both of you for sharing.
That’s great advice, Daisy! And I can see how that would be true. World building is complex, and trying to build an unfamiliar word with limited word count…eek!!
Conflict size is a biggie no matter what length you’re writing!!
Fabulously useful post Maisey. Like you – the idea of a novella TERRIFIES but I’m hoping to write one this year. Will book mark this great advice 🙂
I just wrote my first short, too — 16k novella, penned between Wednesday and Saturday. It was so much fun! And I agree — you make great points. To-scale conflict is key.
I just wanted to chime in and say how I so very much agree with you saying how people claim they could churn out one of those books. On occasion I get free books from Harlequin Ambassador (no Presents yet darn it but I guess they don’t have to promote them much) and I give my friend one of them. Well, she says how she doesn’t feel she gets enough of the story because it’s too short. HUH? I’m wondering if she’s even read them.
So back to the topic of your blog – short is hard and it seems you have the gist of what makes a novella good. In other words, that’s me saying I have nothing for you 🙁
Novellas can be so challenging, but also kind of freeing. So nice to be able to tackle just one major plot-line and really concentrate on it without worrying about creating enough secondary arcs and characters to make a full novel.
I’ve never written a novella, either – and like Rach, they scare me! But would love the opportunity one day.
Great post, Maisey, some really great advice.
Ruthie, it IS fun. I’m glad you enjoyed your experience with yours!
Marcie, some people don’t care for the short format. I love it because it’s the undiluted essence of the story without a lot of subplots or extra characters. And I like that!!
Jeanette, it’s a different skill. I find adding secondaries to be a serious challenge, while I know other people who have trouble getting theirs to shut up!
Thanks, Leah! I’m sure the chance will come your way. 😉
So far shorts are ALL I can write! My first story ‘Feral’ just under 12k has been picked up by Breathless Press, with the hope of making a series from it. My only other completed work is 26k. My problem is making stories longer! lol
first off…Congrats, Melissa! Second…hmm…sometimes I think writing long often comes down to lingering on the right moments. And again, conflict that fits the size of the MS. Big enough to sustain is what you’re after in a category or ST length book. And making sure you show (Her eyes sting, throat burns, chest is tight…) instead of tell (that made her sad)