Reading is a relaxing pastime. But have you ever read a novella? Chances are, you’ll have read a novella without realizing it! So, do you know your novella from your novelette?
Read our comprehensive guide to discover how long is a novella and why it’s different from a short novel.
What’s a Novella?
The dictionary defines “novella” as a fiction text that’s longer than a short story yet shorter than a novel.
A novella will usually surpass 100 pages in length and could be tackled in one afternoon by an avid reader. You’ll find more conflicts than in a short story, but not as many subplots as in a novel. But a novella is still a substantial read.
A novella utilizes a linear structure with one plot that centers around a main character. Examples of well-known novellas include George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and “The Time Machine” by H. G. Wells. There’s no specific literary genre of the novella, although science fiction is a popular choice.
What’s the Word Count of a Novella?
A novella will have a word count of between 17,500 and 40,000 words. On average, most novellas will have a word count of 30,000 words. George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is around 36,000 words long and reaches 144 pages.
6 Top Characteristics of a Novella
What characteristics are the features of a novella? We have outlined the most important ones below.
1. Story Length
The word count of a novella ranges between 17,500 and 40,000 words. A novella is longer than a short story but much shorter than a novel.
As a result, a shorter word count requires concise storytelling. A tighter narrative can make a good story great.
2. Story Focus
Due to its shorter length, a novella focuses on a single plotline, omitting sub-plots for a concise narrative. A shorter focus means that character development is explored in depth.
3. Story Intensity
Novellas can provide an intense experience for the reader and bring up a range of feelings. The emotional intensity of the novella develops the complexity of the characters.
4. Story Pace
A novella’s pace is quick. Each event happens in quick succession. This is the result of a shorter word count and the need to get the story across swiftly. To balance the pace, character development and moments of reflection are injected into the plotline.
5. Story Setting
The scope of a novella’s setting is typically limited. This is due to a shorter word count compared with longer novels. A novella writer will aim to enhance the plot with a clear setting and theme.
You can take inspiration from the theme of Christmas in Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol,” for instance. That said, ensure never to plagiarize anyone else’s work. Use a plagiarism checker to ensure your work is genuine.
6. Character Development
It’s essential to develop characters inside a novella. Each character must be strong and must act for their own purpose. The best characters can make the plot move forward and impact other characters’ decisions.
What’s a Short Story?
A short story is exactly what it says on the tin; a short story! Usually, the shorter variety of fictional text, famous short stories include “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Other notable short stories are “Dubliners” by James Joyce, and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe.
How Many Words Is a Short Story?
A short story can be as short as only 1,000 words. However, the longest short story can be as long as 10,000 words. Flash fiction is the shortest type of short story, reaching only 500 words.
Short story writers tend to keep their stories short and sweet. Shorter word counts are more marketable and can reach a wide range of readers. They’re also cheaper to print and a smaller investment, meaning less risk.
If you want to write a short narrative, wondering how many words is a short story and looking for some inspiration, you can always use AI story generators to get your creative juices flowing!
What’s a Novelette?
A novelette is longer than a short story but shorter than a novella. A linear plot will be introduced and there will not be enough words to develop sub-plots.
What’s the Word Count of a Novelette?
Novelettes can be as short as 7,500 words in length, and as long as 19,000 words.
A famous example of a novelette is “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” by Robert Louis Stevenson. This novelette reaches around 13,500 words and includes 54 pages.
Which Famous Stories Fall Into the Novella Category?
Many famous stories fall into the novella prose fiction category. Here are just a few:
- John Steinbeck, “Of Mice and Men” (1937)
- Frank Kafka, “The Metamorphosis” (1915)
- Ernest Hemmingway, “The Old Man and the Sea (1952)
- Toni Morrison, “Home” (2012).
- Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1886)
- Edgar Allan Poe, “The Spectacles (1844)
How Long Is a Chapter in a Novella?
Many novellas do not use chapters. For example, in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” white space is employed as a divider. Additionally, with novel chapters reaching around 4,000 words, a book consisting of four chapters does seem slightly pointless.
Hence, if you’re wondering, how long is a chapter in a novella, this will depend on you, but we do recommend keeping the chapters relatively short, especially if you are switching between character stories.
Examples of 5 Literary Techniques You Can Use in a Novella
Are you ready to write your own literature? Here are some vital literary techniques to consider.
1. Imagery
Imagery is one of the key literary devices that emphasize a great writer. Chekhov summarized imagery perfectly; “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Think about using similes and metaphors to add power to your descriptions.
2. Scenes
A scene is used in literature to offer a detailed examination of an event. Each scene could persuade the reader to feel a certain way as the story develops.
3. Symbolism
How well can you use concrete objects to highlight abstract ideas? Heavy symbolism could persuade the reader to feel specific emotions, such as sympathy with the character.
4. Figurative Language
Making language stand out from the crowd is an essential literary technique. So, instead of describing a character’s actions matter-of-factly, inject strong feelings and powerful emotions into the text.
5. In Media Res
A good literary technique is to start writing in the middle of the story. There could be no clear plot to a story of this type, requiring the reader to spot irony and hyperbole.
Self-Publishing a Novella
Modern novellas are too short to compete against full-sized novels. Unfortunately for the writer, a novella is also seen to be too long for literary magazines or journal publications. It’s also too long for book publishers! So, the best solution is to self-publish.
Self-publishing can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be an expensive task when you have a reduced word count. You’ll face a lower price point with short fiction indie publishing than with full-length novel publications.
You also get to set deadlines to suit your workload, possess full creative control, and make distributing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How short is a short story?
The shortest short story is usually around 1,000 words in length. The longest short story can reach around the 10,000-word mark.
What is flash fiction?
Flash fiction is the name given to a short story with only 500 words. Some examples of flash fiction might reach up to 1,500 words, however.
But writing a story so short is not easy; you’ve got to engage and finish the story with few words. As a result, your text must be to the point and precise, without “fluff.”
How many pages is a full-length novel?
A full-length novel has around 300 pages, although this varies drastically from author to author. One reason for significant differences in novel length is the genre used. Genres such as romance novels need the word count for character development.
Can a novella writer afford to experiment?
A significant benefit of writing a novella is the ability to experiment. You can play around with the style and structure of your novella. You can also add a variety of techniques and aim to make your story unique.
A self-publishing novella writer is less restricted than a novelist. There are fewer market considerations as the risk is less with a shorter word count.
Does a novella contain chapters?
Most novellas don’t contain chapters and will feature white space instead to break up the text.
This is a feature quite unique to the novella and is reflected in the most famous examples of novellas. In a full-length novel, chapters are used for different scenes or sub-plots, features unused in novellas.
Write Your Own Novella With the Help of the Smodin Community
So, can you now answer, “How long is a novella?” Do you understand the differences between a novella, a novelette, and a short story? Perhaps you are now eager to find great examples of a novella and a novelette to expand your reading repertoire.
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