Novel or Novella?
Not related to the post title, but much more interesting, there’s a month-long party going on on the 18th Century History blog, launching off with a giveaway from me. Possibly everyone who reads my blog and wants one has already got a copy of False Colors, but if you haven’t here’s a chance to get one free.
http://18thcenturyhistory.com/post/8336696361/happy-august-its-time-for-our-first-giveaway-a
Even if you’re not at all interested in that, the blog is worth bookmarking and coming back to regularly, and not just for the month of giveaways 🙂
Meanwhile, back to the post title, I’m 20K into a m/m historical novella set in Saxon times. It’s heading for 30K once it’s finished and I’m beginning to wonder if I should expand it into a short novel. It might benefit from some more buildup and more… well, everything. But if I do that it will be a much longer time before I can start on the next fantasy novel. Anyone got an opinion? Should I
a) Finish the novella. Start the next fantasy novel.
b) Turn the novella into a novel. Start the next fantasy novel later.
c) Forget writing! Concentrate on learning Coton’s tunes on the pennywhistle in time for practice season starting in September.
d) Something else.
Longer is always better as long as it isn’t filler. Good characters need to be given their head and allowed to run (: Plus, that way we get to hang out with the characters longer… which is always a bonus.
Thanks for the comment! I think you’re right, even though it will mean changing my plans. They’re nice characters but they’re being rushed and short changed in this format. I think I’d like to allow them the room they really need. (Though that also means I need to add some subplots and new characters too.) I’ll be happier if I give them their due, I think.
I think that if you have the feeling the story will make a novel it probably will. Also, Saxon novel from La Beecroft certainly gets my vote. 😀
I tried your link on Twitter to the 18th Century blog but it 503ed me 🙁 I’ll try again
As I always mourn coming to the end of your books, I say go long! (That said, I adore your fantasy voice too, so I vote long and fast, so you can get to the next project…)
(Didn’t mean that to sound filthy…)
@Elin Hee! I’m glad you like the sound of a Saxon novel from me. It’s been so long since I’ve written anything in that era that I’m having to re-research it all. I’ve forgotten everything. But the more I think about it, the more I think lots of extra scenes are needed just to show the reader how the society works – or the characters’ actions won’t make any sense. I’m quite excited about the thought of doing it properly, which is a good sign, I think 🙂
Sorry about the blog! I must do a giveaway of my own soon instead.
@Lee Thanks, Lee! I had this (I thought) great idea for a Fantasy that I was about to start writing as soon as this novella was done (which was likely to be in less than a week). That was why it felt like a big decision to set that aside for however long it’ll be to make this a novel. But I guess that does just mean I should put my back into this one and get it done quickly. Thanks!