Ebook publishing and self publishing have opened the playing field for writing that was considered unprofitable by traditional book producers. Anthologies are coming into vogue and it's opening up the novella market. Now more authors are able to get their short novels in front of the reading public.
How Long is a Novella?
The length description varies between publishers, but 10,000 to 40,000 words is a widely accepted novella-length. EHarlequin publishes Nocturne Cravings in the 15,000 to 25,000 length. The Historical Undone line publishes stories between 10,000 and 15,000 words. The Miniature Rose line at Wild Rose Press asks for novellas between 20,001 and 40,000 words. These are just two examples; the novella market includes many different small publishers producing anthologies with short novels of varying lengths.
Creating the Plot for a Novella
Since this literary form is much shorter, it’s essential to dive right into the plot and hook the reader in the first pages. A longer novel has time to create a deeper setting and characterization. That’s not to say a novella doesn’t need these things. Every good story does. However, in a novella, the writer must incorporate the details into the plot, much like the style of a short story writer.
The plot should be simple with a strong goal for the protagonist, and a clear oppositional goal for the antagonist. The conflict is central, beginning in the first chapter, if not paragraphs. Subplots are optional, and in the shorter novellas, probably not advisable. The characterization should focus on the attainment of those goals.
Creating Characters in a Novella
Like a short story, the novella only has room for characters that are critical to the story. It will be a crowded house if the author includes more than a few friends, relatives, neighbors, and other secondary characters. Put the main characters and their goals under a microscope and magnify their issues.
This doesn’t mean the characters can’t be complex. It simply means the novella doesn’t have the space to delve into flashbacks, memories, or events that affected the character that don’t have a direct effect on the plot. Sliver the backgrounds into the story in such a way that it doesn’t detract from the quick pace.
Use Short Chapters and Tight Writing in a Novella
Short chapters will help a writer to avoid meandering off the main path of the plot. Writing the goal and story arc of the scene or chapter first may encourage tighter writing. It’s more difficult to cut beautiful prose than it is to leave it out in the first place.
Tighten up writing by using the best descriptive adjectives and verbs to give precise meaning. With less verbosity, the story will move faster, and keep within word limits.
Writing a novella can be just as challenging as writing a novel, but in different ways. It’s also a good training ground for future novelists. Getting the story crafted in fewer words is a difficult skill to master, and leads to more concise writing. It’s a way to learn the elements of writing in a manageable story length.
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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