Novella competition
Great things can come in small packages…
Novellas are a dying breed. In a world where you can buy an epic 700 page blockbuster for 99p, authors are wary of short-changing their readers with something shorter. But what if the story you need to write demands a shorter form than a novel but is longer than a short story?
A good novella will have a strong idea that carries through the plot and a deeper examination of character than short stories have time for. Novellas that have stood the test of time tend to be beautifully written. When there are fewer words to play with, each one has to earn its place.
I would encourage all authors to try writing a novella just for the experience of writing within different constraints. It’s a great exercise, you may find you really like this format and your writing will be better for it.
The National Association of Writers’ Groups is running a Novella competition which I am judging. Entry details here
Classic novellas include:
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON by Daniel Keyes
BONJOUR TRISTESSE by Francoise Sagan
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S by Truman Capote
Have you tried to write a novella? Do you enjoy reading them?
September 1, 2016