Hi all, I've attempted to write a novel which unfortunately it appears I might not be ready to do. Each time I start it ends up finishing far too soon. I've heard word count is part of what defines a novel from a short story etc. Is this true? And if so does anyone know what the word dounts are for each? Also does anyone have any tips on how to properly go about my novels without them ending far too soon? Thank you in advance.
Kind regards Victoria
Hi Victoria, I agree with Carla about taking your time, not rushing the finished and polished M/S. When it comes to a natural end then leave it, does it matter how long? maybe work on something else before going back to it and rewrite, then rewrite again then edit, another rewrite, (maybe) I have said it before we often fill in gaps in our heads when we write because our minds are in creative mode and often we don't get it all down on the paper! so going back after a break then working on it before reading it to a willing victim and usually if they are honest will point out flat spots, plodding areas, and generally useless passages. You will more than likely find a new chapter, quite often its the chapter that finds you! the one that needs to be in there somewhere, don't forget writing is organic, it grows stops and starts to grow again. (I can't believe I've just used the phrase organic, hey ho!) let it lay fallow for a season, (that farming reference sneaked in because of the organic bit...) then go back and surprise yourself. I can only suggest what works for me, hope it helps.
Regards Paul
Well, i don't think short stories and novel's are all all that different. Only the story length is the prime difference among both. For me, it sort of comes naturally on how to make long tales, so I'm not sure how to advice you on this matter. So, I'll quote from Adrian's motto- "Learn from the best". Study multiple authors and their works, and see how have they managed to have such large works. Novel's are much more complex than short stories.
I'd say the more complex, the better, add more plot points, more character's not MC's but other's, who grow as well.
I'll pull an example, while making one of my books(Got it planned, gotta write, that's all) My concept was- The son of an exiled evil sorcerer, spared to grow. This might be alright for a short story(I'm not very good with them, as I always make work's long.) But I added in tons of things, a medieval world, tons of creatures and beasts, and the concept of knight's.
So, then I went on to think about the character development.(there is much more in a novel than in a short story in my opinion) I thought such a child would be publicly hated and despised, treated badly, bullied and beaten, so I made the one who saved him, and defeated the sorcerer to be a legendary hero- The Red Knight, so that I could give the poor hero an ideal to look up to and strive towards. I thought he would hate his lineage and how he was treated, but he would endure and try and become a knight, much like the one that saved him. Then for fun, give him a rival. Put in a conspiracy brewing, among government and knight's themselves, and the boy having magic powers to make him special, even for a knight. And for a twist, pull the sorcerer father back in, who actually cares for the boy. And the first book maybe ending with the boy proving himself.
This is just an example, and a future project plan. I hope I helped somehow.(well, I tried) Psst- Is the story any good?
Victoria,
As a rule of thumb, short stories tend to be about 1,000 - 10,000 words. A thing less is considered flash fiction. A novella tends to be up to 40,000 words and a full length novel around 70,000 - 80,000 with fantasy novels going more than 100,000. The key is planning your novel and deciding the key points and an idea of chapters.