We’re all here… reading this blog…. because we have presumably two things in common.
1.) We like romance. (insert happy sigh….)
2.) We like to READ!
So today I thought we’d have a little book chat!
I released my second book last month, A Side of Faith. I’m super excited as it is a new venture for me, my first dip into the waters of indie-publishing, as well as my first novella.
My first novel was published through Abingdon Press, Sandwich, with a Side of Romance.
This book that just released had me more than a little nervous. I’d never written anything different than a trade length novel (in pages… around 300-350 give or take)
But A Side of Faith… which readers have dubbed their little side dish…. was a novella, about 1/3rd the length of a novel.
It’s also about 1/3rd the price too!
Doubts plagued me as I started to write.
Could I write a worthy story, one that would still intrigue and capture reader’s attention, that could still surprise and envoke the emotion in our readers that is the goal of every romance author?
Oh, I certainly hoped so.
It was interesting, trying to write at a shorter length. Some fun subplot ideas had to be nixed. The romance had to move a little faster (which actually ended up being my FAVORITE part of it, LOL) and the writing had to be tighter overall.
It was a challenge, but a month later, I’d finished my little novella.
There is something oh-so-invigorating in typing “The End” and to do so in less than a month left me singing the Hallelujah chorus!
But I’d love to see what readers think about the idea of a novella.
Does the shortened length worry you or make you excited?
Have you read novellas in the past that tend to “bore” you or seem watered down to shorten it up?
What novellas have you read and LIKED?
Personally, I have all the Zondervan A Year of Weddings novellas on my list to read!!! I’ve been SO focused on writing this year I just haven’t had time, but am OH so anxious to jump in and read them! Especially writer friend Katie’s that is up for October!!!
And while I still love my novels, I have LIMITED time to read, being a mom of 4, so to have a novella I can pick up and read in a couple hours is super nice sometimes!!!
And if you want to check out a novella, my little “side dish” is available in ebook and paperback! *wink*
I have read a lot of novellas and love them. Sometimes I don’t have the time or inclination to start a full length novel and they are the perfect length.p
Susan, agreed!!! I LOVE full length novels but sometimes life is just busy and being able to snuggle up with a nice little story is exactly what I need for a few hours!