Wednesday 27 March 2013

Writing at Novella Length: Advice Wanted

I've got a real craving to write a novella. I want to stretch myself. So I'm looking for advice. Here's what I know:

Novellas are longer than short stories, by definition. Let's say short stories are anything up to 7.5 thousand words and novellas are 17.5-40 thousand.

One thing I've learnt about writing is there aren't any hard and fast rules. And that's the way I like it. But in general you can say that novellas:

Have more plot elements.
May incorporate subplots
Might spend longer on character description and setting.
Can incorporate multiple points of view.

And from a personal point of view: can't be written without planning. (I know, I've tried).

That's about it. My plan is to read a couple of Susan Hill's novellas with a writers eye, making notes about the plot-line and pacing.

Now, what else do I need to know? Do you the three act structure for planning, or other planning structures (with short stores, I just wing it)  Do you write at this length? What else should I be thinking about?

18 comments:

  1. I originally saw my novella as a 6K short story, but then I thought of other elements and scenes that I could flesh out to make it more in depth and problems to add along the way to build tension, and fortunately wound up hitting the 30,000 mark.

    I think you still have to follow all the same rules as novel and short story writing, just less subplots than a novel and more character arc than a short story. That’s the mindset I went in with.

    Have fun. I actually really like writing the novella length and would like to write another one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like reading them too, Erin. Just long enough to get interesting, not too long that I get bored. I'm hoping the writing is going to be the same!

      Delete
  2. I've been writing one novella a month this year as part of my personal 1K/day challenge. January's was a serial with 20 flash-sized episodes. Last month's was a sequel to Immaterial Evidence, a novella I'm currently revising, but unlike its predecessor, it wasn't plotted and is now a BIG mess I'll have to sort out -- eventually. Your points are spot on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Milo. I'm pleased to see I'm in good company with this novella thing.

      Delete
  3. I guess the one thing I would say is that no matter how well I've planned, the longer a piece is, the messier it gets and the harder it is to edit. I've had to step up my game substantially in an effort to get my longer manuscripts completed. (And by "step up my game" I mean take Holly Lisle's course on novel revision.)

    I've played with different structures. The novel I'm editing right now I wrote using Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet. It is a hot mess because I wrote it four years ago and I really didn't know what I was doing, but it has good bones. Lately I've used Lani Diane Rich's Seven Anchor Scenes. This is nice because you can plan the seven scenes but pants your way between them, allowing for some spontaneity to stay in the mix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. I know nothing about structure. Or anything I do know is all subconscious and does just fine for short stories. I really need to think more carefully at novella length. I learnt that with painful experience.

      I wrote a novella for a challenge before Christmas, and although I like parts of it a lot, it's like a big mess of tangled wool. Interesting that both you and Michelle have mentioned the Beat Sheet. Going look that up straight away.

      Delete
  4. I've never consciously set out to write a novella. Yet some of my short stories have strayed into that territory. Go figure.

    Anyway, I always have some sort of structure for anything I write, no matter how big or small. But sometimes, as I get into it, I realize it needs more. I'm not always pleased, but I always go with the flow. I figure I can edit later. But sometimes I find myself with a 10,000-word story that not only moves well, but asks to be added on. Not much, but a bit more. Thus, my "accidental" novellas.

    My advice is to go the way the story wants to go. I think you can write a novella without any problems if you allow certain story lines free rein. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh, how interesting -- I've just come to the same conclusion myself, although I'm thinking novelette length to start with. In fact, 'write novelette 1' is on my calendar for next week :)

    I tend to use the Blake Snyder beat sheet for anything over about 1500 words, although the 'beats' are often emotional or verbal points rather than plot ones. But the feedback I've been getting lately is about needing more plot/action - that basically, more shit needs to go down. Hence, thinking about longer stories to allow more room for said shit.

    Will be interested to hear about your experiences! And if you need a sounding board/beta reader, hit me up :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's interesting about plot/action, Michelle. I often read published novelettes and I think wow, I would have squeezed that into a 4K story. So, I think maybe 'more stuff' isn't always the answer. I know for me that I need to work on description and internal narrative for a longer work. I've internalised the art of tend saying little and meaning a lot.

      Delete
    2. I'd like to hear how you use the Beat Sheet for shorter works, Michelle. Have you blogged about that?

      Delete
  6. I think that means that your skill set extends into the novella range, Paul. In the writing of hundreds of short stories I've never strayed into 17K. A few times I've got up to 10.

    For me, I need to learn how to do that. That's what makes it so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not sure I've got much good advice, except to say you're a fine writer so just have a go. You'll make it work. In fact, it may be you only really work out how to write novellas (or novels, or whatever) by doing it...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Simon. But are you sure you're not keeping all your secrets to yourself *wink* I happen to know that you are a very accomplished novella writer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have nothing more to say but, 'I'm back' :) Looking forward to catching up with you and easing myself back into the blogging routine. Happy (belated) Easter, Debs ;) :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. Have you looked at the 7-part structure series by Dan Wells? It's on YouTube and he has some blog posts about it too. I find it useful to think about when plannning a longer work (then I throw it away and write, but I still think it does something for the piece)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been thinking about this more since you started this conversation. I guess with short stories, the focus can be much more on getting out a neat idea or image rather than on a formally structured plot. You can squeeze out a beginning, middle and end and that might be a perfectly decent plot. Some shorts I've read recently are structured like jokes (even if they are deadly serious): setup, event, punch line.

    I'm not sure that the answer for you is necessarily going to be to consciously apply structure before you begin? Lots of writers don't, but then go fishing for structure in the soup of their manuscripts after the draft is done.

    It is all hard. Since the Storywonk podcasts are mostly about long form writing, they might be a good resource for you as you tackle this new phase.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. I'm making some good progress on this. I think that it's a case of matching the advice with your particular needs/prejudices as a writer. I've been looking at lots of resources. The one that's resonating with me is Dan Well's 7 point structure. It's fascinating how often 7 comes up in plotting advice.

      As I'm learning all this I'm having a stab at writing a novella and I guess I'll always be part pantster.

      I like his start with the end approach. And I liked the way he addressed not just the hero's journey but also Pride and Prejudice and Othello.

      I wonder how much this can be applied to the short story. You're absolutely right that stories can be published without much apparent structure. But then one wonders what's making them work. It's all fascinating.

      Off to Storywonk, I go!

      Delete
    2. I will be checking out Dan Well. I'm curious to see whether his 7 points line up in any way with Lani's 7 Anchor Scenes approach. I'm guessing they probably will.

      I think the Beat Sheet gave my manuscript more of a cinematic effect, which is what I wanted for that project. What I love about working on craft is that there is no end of free or moderately priced, excellent advice out there right now. Good times!

      Delete