This book is engaging, detailed, and wise.--Choice
Description
“A novella compresses the world with a short story’s focus, but it explores that smaller space with a novel’s generosity.”—Josh Weil, author of The New Valley: Novellas
While the novella has existed as a distinct literary form for over four hundred years, Writing the Novella is the first craft book dedicated to creating this intermediate-length fiction. Innovative, integrated journal prompts inspire and sustain the creative process, and classic novellas serve as examples throughout. Part 1 defines the novella form and steers early decision-making on situation, character, plot, and point of view. Part 2 provides detailed directions for writing the scenic plot points that support a strong but flexible narrative arc. Appendix materials include a list of recommended novellas, publishing opportunities, and blank templates for the story map, graphs, and charts used throughout the book. By turns instructive and inspirational, Writing the Novella will be a welcome resource for new and experienced writers alike.
Reviews
Novella writers, especially novices, simply must consult this basic how-to guide before putting pen to paper. It's that useful.--Diane Donovan, Donovan's Bookshelf
Novella writers, especially novices, simply must consult this basic how-to guide before putting pen to paper. It's that useful.--Diane Donovan, Donovan's Bookshelf
Warner's style is casual and humorous, her voice generous and, at points, vulnerable as she recounts her own particular struggles to perfect her craft. And she is a champion of this somewhat ambiguous beast, the novella, positioned as it is between the brevity of the short story and the expansive breadth of the novel.--Paul Eberly
