#IWSG Form of…A Novella!

I've written a lot of different things in my life. Poetry (all kinds: formal, informal, sonnets, villanelles, spoken word). Essays. Birthday Cards.  Eulogies. Diary Entries. Blogs. Papers for Classes. Reports. Emails. Articles. Reviews. Blurbs. Thank-you notes. Short Stories. Wedding Vows. Graduation speeches. Novels.

Me and my imagination, we're the Wonder Twins and we've activated in many different forms.



But I've never written a novella.

So, of course I was invited to be a part of an anthology and get to write a piece from the world of my novels. I, of course, accepted. It's a great opportunity. I'm excited about the company I'll be among in that anthology…which, of course, adds pressure to write something extra good (isn't that always the goal, though?). And the length: novella.

http://aprettybook.com/wp-content/upl... written a fair number of short stories now. My sweet spot for those has ranged from about 3K to about 8K.  I've completed four novels (and seen one published!) and they are all around 85ishK.  But, I've been asked for 15-20K for this story.  It's not a length I've ever tried before.

Medium-length fiction is an interesting critter.

As I've worked on it, it's been harder than I imagined it would be. I'll need more than an octopus and an ice-unicycle to get through this.

I'm not sure how big to the let the story get. Too many plot threads and the story is crowded and squashed into a closet too small to hold it. Too few, and it becomes like butter spread over too much toast.

Do you have a favorite novella? Have you ever written one? Any advice for me?
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This posting is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop. To check out other posts by writers in a variety of places in their careers, check out the participant list. This group is one of the most open and supportive groups of people I have ever been associated with. You should check them out!