The Long and Short of It

Andrea/Cara here, As we here in the U. S. head into the LONG holiday weekend signaling the end of lazy summer reading and recreation, I thought I’d muse a little on the SHORT of things . . . as in the craft of writing. I'm releasing the latest addition to my Lady Arianna series on Monday, September 4th, and it’s not only a new book but also a new form of writing for me.

The Stolen Letters (you can read an excerpt here) is a novella, something I’ve never done before. Yes, I’ve penned short pieces for anthologies—including two for the Word Wenches Christmas anthologies! But I’ve never tackled a stand-alone short-form book, which is more than an expanded short story and less than a full novel. Here's a quick synopsis:

With the hunt for a diabolical traitor finally over, Lady Arianna is looking for some peace and quiet in which to resolve lingering tensions with her husband over her daredevil exploits during the final chase. But an unexpected late night visit from The Dragon—Saybrook’s feisty and independent great aunt—puts her in the middle of a very difficult dilemma . . .

Constantina confesses that some very private personal letters, along with some sensitive diplomatic documents, have been stolen from her French paramour. She’s desperately hoping Arianna can help get them back, but says it must be discreetly and without anyone knowing—including Saybook.

 

Yes or No? The task is made even more daunting when Arianna discovers that the political intrigue may entangle her with some dangerous old enemies . . .

Ah, but Arianna can’t resist a challenge, and when she learns that a diplomatic party will provide the perfect opportunity to steal the documents back, she and Constantina, along with their friend Sophia Kirtland, quickly devise a plan to prove the ladies can best the gentlemen at their own devious games . . .

So, seeing as a novella is neither fish nor fowl, you may be wondering why I decided to do it. A good question—and one that I asked myself! The idea intrigued me after reading several novellas within other series I like. The form gives a fun way to “flesh” out the main characters in a series—and also to let some of the secondary ones to step into the limelight for a short interlude. A short adventure or conundrum to solve can add depth and complexity to the various relationships and make then come even more alive.(Lady Arianna's nemesis is Lord Grentham, the cold-blooded British minister in charge of state security. I imagine him to look like Daniel Craig . . .because, um, it's rather nice to look at pictures of Daniel Craig pinned to your story board!)

I was also intrigued by the challenges of a novella. It has to be more of a complete story rather than a vignette, which more intricate plotting. And yet it’s short enough to be done a lot quicker than a book. All those things were also appealing.

But I’ll admit, I had an even more elemental motive. I don’t read many “craft” books, however on the recommendation of another author pal, I’ve recently been reading a book called Stealing Hollywood—Screenwriting Tricks for Authors. I’m finding it fascinating! The author talks about the traditions of storytelling, and how, from the ancient Greeks onward, there’s a basic structure that endured for centuries: three acts, eight scenes. Her humorous bare-bones explanation of it is: put the protagonist up a tree, throw rocks at him/her, then get him/her down. (There’s a lot of pithy humor in the book, which I really enjoy.) It then goes on in elaborate detail to explain the various parts within the basic structure . . .

As a total pantser, I found myself thinking . . . Oh! Imagine if one actually thinks all these elements through ahead of time and makes an outline. Hmm—that might actually make writing a book . . . um . . . easier to write. (Yes, picture one of those stick drawings from a Neanderthal’s cave—me, with a light bulb flashing on over my head.)

The novella seemed a perfect form in which to try out this revolutionary new concept of PLOTTING! So out came my pen and paper . . . albeit reluctantly, as I’ve always thought my brain simply doesn’t function that way. I created my grid, I noodled rough sketches of scenes, deciding where the scene climaxes should come, where the midpoint (or “All is Lost” moment) should be.

I thought I would hate it. I didn’t. I won’t say it was easy, and I can’t promise that I’ll be able to plot a full mystery novel this way, as the twists within twists usually pop into my head when I least expect them to. (This happens a lot on my evening golf course walks. There must be something about my hitting an object with a stick that frightens the Muse into cooperating!) But that said, I think I did learn a lot from the exercise and will try to apply some of those lessons to the next full-length book.

Now, what about you as readers? Do you enjoy novellas? Do they enrich a series you like because they add more nuances of character development? Or do you find them too short for your reading taste. Please share your thought! I’ll be giving away an e-book copy of The Stolen Letters to one winner chosen at random from those who leave a comment here between now and Monday.

Comments

[Mary T]

I am not normally a big fan of novellas but I read a lot of them around Christmas time - probably, just because there are so many available at that time. I do have several of them by Mary Balogh and Barbara Metzger that I have read and re-read so many times that they would be worn out if they were on paper rather than my kindle. I especially like anthologies. If one story doesn't take, the next one usually does.

[Kathy K]

I think novellas are good, but they tend to cause the readers to beg the author for more, more, MORE! Some of my favorite authors have started out with a novella-length work and then fleshed out the story with more detail at a later time. I like that even better.

[Beverly Abney]

I enjoy the novellas that connect with stories I have enjoyed. They add a lot to the over-all continuing story. I expect to enjoy this one as well.

[Andrea Penrose]

Holidays do seem a popular time for short forms of stories—probably because it's hectic and one can enjoy them in limited reading time. And, yes—nthologies are definitely fun!

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, interesting point!I like when a novella gives a certain glimpse into character development, or fleshes out an incident that's referred to in a longer book of the series. it's sort of like being able to flip through a scrapbook of snapshots!

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, that's what I like about novellas, too. I hope you enjoy mine!

[Lillian Marek]

It's a tricky thing to pull off. I've read novellas I thoroughly enjoyed and I've read others that I found frustrating because too much seemed to be left out. On the other hand, I've read full length books that probably should have been novellas because too much of the story was just padding. I guess the secret lies in picking the right story for the novella.

I'm looking forward to The Stolen Letters to see how you pull it off. This is kind of selfish on my part because I've started thinking that a series idea that has been haunting me needs a novella prequel to set it up.

[Mary Jo Putney]

LOL about picking Daniel Craig as the nemesis just BECAUSE> *G* It sounds like a great story--looking forward to Lady Arianna getting into mischief again! I'm also intrigued that you tried a new process and it seemed to work for you, as I'm trying something to get the current evil WIP finished. (Though I'm doing kind of the opposite.)

As for length--I've read some great novellas that were just the right length, and I've written some myself where I felt either the characters or the plot weren't complicated enough to sustain a novel. As always, it comes down to the details...

[Sue McCormick]

I will read any story of any length. And, if well done, I will enjoy it.

As someone above has said, sometimes the wrong length has been chosen. My classic example of a "wrong" choice — as least as far as I am concerned — Is a well know Science Fiction classic "Flowers for Algernon." It has won awards in every form in which it has appeared. But in my mind, it's best version is the original short form (I never remember if it was a short story, a novelette, or a novella). The short form told it all, the following novel just added words. The movie and the musical are different genres, so they don't fit this discussion.

I offer this as just one example, of the advisability, if possible, of picking the correct format, and of sticking to it. There are plenty of examples where I have enjoyed the expansion over the original short form. There is no single one true answer here.

[Patricia Franzino]

As long as it's a story and characters from a series that intrigues me, I'll read it in any form. I like reading about the greater depth of a character's personality and motives for what they go after in the story.

I enjoy novellas because they are presented at a faster clip, and I can get to see how the author fleshes out all the plot points and protagonists more quickly. It's a fun absorption of a story that can be more satisfying than a long novel in which the pacing might be too long for my patience.

[Andrea Penrose]

Happy to be your guinea pig, Lillian!

Yes, it's a tricky art. I agree, some I've read have been a little confusing. A real balance.

[Andrea Penrose]

So true about the details! I enjoyed the challenge. Now, we'll see what readers think, but I hope to intersperse more of them into the series. Because, y'know, we ALWAYS have lots of shiny ideas. And as you say, not all of them merit full-length books.

[Andrea Penrose]

Sue, as always, you give us very wise observations. I, too, have read that feel too "flabby"and novellas that feel too skinny. Any art form is, well, an art! No rules can totally explain what works and what doesn't.

[Andrea Penrose]

I find my mood plays a big part in what I want to read at any given moment. There have been many times when I pick up a book and can't get into it . . .then a week later, I can't put it down.

[Cindy A]

I like that secondary characters are fleshed out. But I don't like a lot of novellas scattered across several books with different authors. I want all of them to be in one volume where I can go back and re-read them along with the novels. Too many times I miss one of the novellas in the series.

[Teresa Broderick]

If I'm following a series and really enjoying it, I love anything that the author writes within the series. I agree that novellas give us a chance sometimes to get to know another character in dept that there might not be the time for in a book of the series. (If you can gather from that mishmash what I'm trying to say Andrea). I have to confess that I haven't read this series but I'll read the novella to see what it's about.

[Pam]

Sorry, but I really don't like novellas. If I am enjoying it, I want it full length. It also aggravates me when I purchase an e-book and don't realize it's a novella until I get started (my problem!!). I do read them at Christmas because sometimes that's all you can find.

I do however find your views on writing them interesting! Yes...I'll buy yours....😁

[Andrea Penrose]

Interesting point, Cindy. I've noticed more authors doing this, so clearly other readers agree. I will keep it in mind!

[Andrea Penrose]

Pam, I hear you on being disappointed when you don't realize it's a novella. I confess I've had that happen to me. It was my fault for not reading carefully before I purchased it, but I did feel disappointed. So I've tried to make it very clear in promos that the new work is a novella!

The writing process really was an interesting exercise. It's fun to try to learn new things!

[Andrea Penrose]

I'll be very interested to hear whether it works for you, Teresa. It's set later in the series, so I'm assuming it will appeal to people who know the cast of characters a bit. That said, I hope a reader can sense the core of each person. But the nuances of their interaction may not be as clear if you're totally new to the series. I'd love to hear what you think!

[Cyrille Brennan]

I generally don't like novellas. Big reason is that they are too expensive. Also, if the story is really good I am disappointed that it wasn't a novel.if the author goes to all the trouble of plotting it out and gets me hooked why not follow it to its conculsion. Occasionally there will be a novella included with a novel which I will read

[Kareni]

I agree with Sue McCormick "I will read any story of any length. And, if well done, I will enjoy it" and also with Teresa Broderick, "If I'm following a series and really enjoying it, I love anything that the author writes within the series."

I've also read novellas that are too short and novels that are too long.

It might be interesting to hear of favorite novellas ~ I'll recommend The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan.

[Kareni]

Another favorite novella comes to mind ~ Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs. (I may have read this one fifty or more times, and I'm not joking.)

One additional thought ~ sometimes a novella fits the bill when I'm looking for a short read.

[Kareni]

Replying to my own post to say that The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan is currently available free to Kindle readers as is the Spanish version ~ El affaire de la institutriz.

[Karin]

I never used to read novellas when I read only print books, but now that I read e-books, I've developed a taste for them. It started with those .99 cent deals that I couldn't say no to. Now I've developed a little list of authors whose novellas I've loved and I always look out for more from them. My list includes Tracy Grant, Susanna Fraser, Sharon Cullen, Anna Campbell(her novellas are much lighter and less angsty than her longer books), Courtney Milan and Alyssa Cole. Some of these are part of a series and some are standalones.
I'll be very happy to read more of Lady Arianna, regardless of the format!