Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Gift of the Novella

We all know what it's like when some weeks are busier than others. Hard as I try, with little time for leisure activities, the one thing I miss is time to read. Recently I rediscovered novellas.  I love reading series and longer books, but put off reading them because my time is limited. For some reason I can't seem to read a long book on my kindle.

Short Stories vs Novellas

Short stories are just that - a short story. They have less complicated plots than novellas. The word count can be as little as 1,000 words. However, opinions differ on word count for what makes a short story.
A novella is a short book over 20,000 words. The story has fewer conflicts than a novel and can be read in a day or two.
Short stories and novellas have a long history that goes way back.


Charles Dickens


I've always been a big Charles Dickens fan. His novel, Martin Chuzzlewit was originally released in monthly installments. If I had been around then, I'm sure I would have waited impatiently for the next installment. Sarah Gamp, the somewhat kind alcoholic nurse/caregiver is one of my favorite Dickens characters. Her iconic battered black umbrella was so popular with the Victorian public, Gamp became a slang word for umbrella.






O'Henry


The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry - written in 1906 is my all time favorite short story.






Contemporary Novellas




Solstice Island is the latest contemporary novella I read on a busy Sunday.  I started reading in the afternoon, put it down to run some errands, and finished that evening. There is always a certain satisfaction when you've completed a book you enjoy.



When I completed my first novella, Chocolate & Sensibility I realized it was just the length it needed to be. Adding more conflict or plot would have made it a different story.







Reading is a personal preference.  As more readers rediscover these shorter stories, I hope they'll be able to find the time in their busy schedules to read.

9 comments:

  1. Good things come in small packages! And I love the cover - delicious! Can't wait to read Chocolate and Sensibility.

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    1. Free Kindle download today. http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Sensibility-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B00KUYAWVI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402597403&sr=1-1

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  2. I like novellas, but not short stories so much. I guess I need that extra bit of story plot.

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    1. I can read both, but like you I need a little more plot that you find in a novella.

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  3. I wholeheartedly agree. Novellas seem more doable in light of our busy schedules. Good luck with Chocolate! Love the cover...

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    1. I'm always on the look out for a good novella. If you read any send the titles my way.

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  4. I think you're wise, Zelda, not to stretch your plot beyond what feels right. I love long books, too, but lately have read a couple that would have had greater impact if they had been trimmed. I have to confess I haven't read Martin Chuzzlewit, though I'm a Dickens fan. I'll have to remedy that.

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  5. Although my other books were not very long, learning to write a novella was a challenge. When reading a novella I find I don't skip pages like I sometimes do in a longer book.

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  6. Zelda--
    I, too, find it difficult to find reading time in my busy schedule. You are absolutely right that sometimes it's best to grab a novella or short story when we can't devote the time for a novel. I do enjoy the short form.
    Victoria--

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