Esperanza is Maria’s (A BOND FULFILLED) long-lost foster sister. Coming in October!
I’m in a quandary here, and looking for input from my fellow authors and from readers: do you prefer novels or novellas? Specifically, as an end-of-series book?
Phelan is Boone’s (A DOCTOR’S BOND) friend, another bad boy from the same small Florida town. Coming later in September!
I’ve just begun writing the last book in my Sacred Bond series. Drum roll! This is the series that wouldn’t end, but finally, as 2016 enters its last quarter, I am winding down. Two full length novels are in final edits and ready to come out in September and October. They’re about characters from the earlier books, and I think you’re going to love them!
But the last novel… well, I REALLY want to bring it out by November 1, because it’s an autumn novel in every sense of the word. The title (A Harvest Bond). The characters are older than the traditional romance hero and heroine. And the beautiful cover, designed by Angela Waters, is totally autumn.
If you’ve read the Sacred Bond novels, you probably remember John Moretti. He stars in Before the Bond, the free pre-prequel on my website, and in A Christmas Bond, and he appears in almost every other Bond book. He’s the patriarch of the diverse Sacred Bond family, and he’s probably my favorite hero ever.
Should this “touch of grey” couple get a novella, or a complete novel?
Through various circumstances (read the books to find out details!) John has ended up alone, later in life. It happens to a lot of us, and that’s what I wanted to portray… that there can be more than one “happily ever after” in a life. Is it possible to find love at 60? If you’re John Moretti, yes… but it’s anything but a smooth ride.
My problem is, I can’t decide whether the book should be a novel or a novella. I love the novella format, because everything is intense and happens quickly, often over a single weekend or week. I have a blast writing breakneck speed novellas! But I also want to do John’s story justice. Some threads of my planned story (which has all the makings of a soap opera) could be explored more fully in a novel format.
Readers, what do you think? Should I do a full novel for John, or give him a fast-paced novella? Do you strongly prefer one format over the other, especially for the final book in a long series?
From the comments, I’ll choose one winner to name a character in A Harvest Bond. Not a main character, since those names are decided, but a secondary character. You can name a local man, woman, child, or dog–your choice!
Lee Tobin McClain read Gone With The Wind in the third grade and has been an incurable romantic ever since. Lee is the author of the Sacred Bond series of contemporary inspirational romances and also writes the Rescue River books (angsty, but full of fun kids and dogs) for Harlequin Love Inspired. When she not writing emotional Christian romances, she's probably driving around a carload of snarky teen girls, playing with her rescue dog and cat, or teaching aspiring writers in Seton Hill University's MFA program. She is probably not cleaning her house.
That is a quandary, Lee. In the past, I was anti-novella. I felt cheated by the limited word count. Now, with less free time to read, I find myself reading more novella. That said, I still would rather read a full-length book, especially when I really like the character. Good luck! I’ll be interested to hear your decision.
A full novel with enough space to be wraped up neat. You dont’t want to feel you left something out as you were limited with words. ;-)
Hi Lee! As a “touch of gray” Midwesterner, I am immediately attracted to A Harvest Bond cover and intrigued by how John Moratti will find his happily ever after. As we approach fall and winter, I read more full length novels. I believe they are appropriate for stand alone books and especially for the end of the series. During the summer months when I am more outdoors with a shorter attention span, I prefer reading novellas. Also if a boxed set has more than six stories in the set, I prefer novellas.
As an avid reader I much prefer novels. There is space for details, development of characters and story. In a novella everything seems contrived and rushed .
Full size novel please! That gives enough space for the story to develop and be wrapped up properly- maybe cameos from other characters?:)
Hi! I think novels are the way to go! I often feel novellas are fine for prequels and such but I would always rather read a full length novel. Especially to wrap up such a great series.
I would think for the end of a series, I’d want a full length novel so it didn’t feel like you missed any loose ends. You could always do a shorter novel (50k ish) and split the difference. Still longer so it’s a satisfying end but short enough that you could make the Nov 1 deadline :)
Novel, novellas are too short so don’t last me more than a couple hours at most. Plus something important like the end of a series should never been done as a novella because they are generally not seen as very important and many people will skip reading the novellas all together.
I like novels preferably with no more than 30 chapters. As it is the end of the series (unfortunately!) then a novel I think would do the story more justice.
As a reader I like to read both novels and novellas depending on my mood (and how much time I’ll have to read it in the subsequent days.. usually if I have a big work deadline coming up, I don’t start a novel or I’ll get distracted from long hours without sleep), but for the final end of a long series I’d definitely say novel.
I usually dislike novels that are just adding random information and sidetrack too much from the main story just to increase length, but I’d doubt that would be the case here as you can go back and revisit some favorite characters and still give the last hurra for the “new” characters. Novellas are a nice way to give life to characters with an easy story, but it doesn’t seem to be the case with John’s.
I would definitely prefer a novel. I love the sacred bond series. Thanks for writing!
I prefer a novel. I tend to put novellas off until the very last thing to read. I love a set of novels that are a series.
As the final book in a series, I prefer full-length. I think novellas work better as prequels or between full-length books to sort of bridge the gap between books in a series.
Side note: I’m not a fan of soap operas, whether it be on TV or in books. They drive me nuts and make me want to stop watching/reading. But of course, this is just one person’s opinion and taste. :)
I like that you’re featuring an “older” man, as I don’t see many books do that. What a fabulous way to end a series!
Blessings,
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
I do read both, but I agree that a full length novel is best for tying up all the ends!
Looks like I’m with the majority here, as I hope you’ll end the series with a full-length novel. I’ve only read one of your Bond books so far, but I loved it and want to read all the rest. You are an inspiration!
I prefer short novels with a word count from 45-60k words. This is enough to develop the characters, but not take forever to read and take a lot of my time. As a reader it is my favorite word count, and as a writer is it my preference.
I vote novel. I enjoy reading well-written books of any length but agree with the others that have said they think a novel is the best for end of series.
I agree with Elizabeth Maddrey,a shorter novel to make your deadline.
Lee Tobin McCain, I think you should base your decision, about the end of series story, on the “real” time you have avaliable, to get it written, edited, & published by Thanksgiving 2016. I also feel you should equally figure in the “real” effort you can honestly give to writing this book. A “balanced life” is a Christian Goal we all work toward! Then go for it, write the story. Your audience will read the story whichever length you decide.
You can always heighten anticipation for the story, by holding off publishing it, until early Autumn 2017. Then, you can write the story you want to write, & still keep the cover artwork as is! Thanx for letting me help you decide on its length.
I also think the end of a series should be a novel.
Oh, good, I’m glad you like the cover!
Ha, Jill, you know all too well that a novel will take much more work to write! But I agree that I prefer to read novels. Hmmmm
Thanks, Judy and Wemble… I’m starting to sense a landslide vote here…
Spoken like a person who knows writing challenges and deadlines! It’s a good idea, Elizabeth–thanks.
Thank you, Cass–so glad you like the series!
Oh no! I can’t have people skipping John’s final story!
Carolyn, i’m glad you like the series! And Priscila, you’re right, John’s story is anything but easy….
Thank you, Diana–so glad you like the books!
Well, Andrea, I can only hope my books (probably a novel-length one!) strikes the right balance. It’s a balancing act, for sure!
You’re in the majority, Cheryl… it is looking like a novel wins by a landslide!
Now that’s an intriguing idea… postpone! Thank you for a thoughtful comment.
Thank you, Linda!
Margaret, Kathleen, and Kimberly: novel, novel, and novel! But perhaps, a short one.
I don’t like novellas at all. I always feel cheated when the book is good. I’ve read novellas by favorite authors & was so disappointed. Novellas always feel rushed and I like the depth from a novel. However, when I buy a book online I won’t buy a novella. Been disappointed too many times. I love novels – the longer the better. The one I’m reading now has well over 500 pages. I read the OUTLANDER in one sitting. Yep, all through the night. Finished a little after 3:00 AM. Decided not to go to bed – had to get up at 4:00 AM to get ready for work. Needless to say, I was in bed early that night.
WOW, Pat! You read Outlander in one sitting???? That’s a stunning achievement–reading speed and focus. Impressed!
Thank you Merrillee, I take your advice seriously.
You guys have TOTALLY inspired me! It’s a landslide in favor of the novel, rather than the novella. I think I will do it. You have no idea how much it matters to an author to know there are readers out there who really want to read a story. Thank you all!
Best wishes! Totally agree on the balancing act. Such a tough undertaking at times. Hope this story turns out pleasing to you and your readers who’ve been following the series.
I think a full length novel would do justice for John.
Yes, John NEEDS a novel!
Being that is the last book of the series and about the guy who started it all, it should be a novel. That is the best way to end his story and all the other characters that make up this series that I have loved reading sometimes more than once. Thanks for this series. Keep up the wonderful stories you have shared with us.
Definitely a full novel please!
I tend to agree with the majority here! I think since John has played a big role in the series you’d want to do him justice by writing a novel length story to end the series in. Novella’s are fine to introduce a series, again I agree with this. But I’d feel cheated if a novella ended a series. But that’s my opinion! You as an author know how much time you are willing to devote to or can devote to a story, so I’d think you could just use your best judgement on it :-)
And I love stories of older people falling in love again for a second or even third time, especially with the passing of a spouse! So fun!
Oh, please Lee, write full-length stories! More for us to read! It must be harder for you to squeeze so much writing into a few months but the more you write, the more I can visit your wonderful imagined world. ?
This is a tough choice, Lee. I love a good, full-length novel when I have time to dive in and enjoy it, but my schedule is so hectic and I have to admit that a well written novella fits into my schedule and nourishes my passion for reading more often than a full length novel. John does deserve his own story and I’ll pray that the good Lord will give you the answer you need to close this story and series to the delight of fans, but most importantly to the delight of the Lord. Blessings to you!
I didn’t try reading that much on a work night again. Had a hard time staying awake that afternoon.
John definitely deserves a novel. And I can’t wait to read it! He’s been a favorite since the beginning so maybe I am a little biased. :)
I typically prefer novels to novellas anyway, but since this is the last book in a long series I definitely think that it should be a novel.