What I am interested in knowing is how long you like your books / stories to be.
Recently, I read a post somewhere complaining about how the author disliked short stories and novellas. The blogger in question wanted to read novels only, the longer the better, and anything else was too short.
As for me, I'm an equal opportunity reader. Depending on my mood, I'll read anything from short stories to epic novels. I often like to pick up anthologies, short stories, or novellas when I know I won't have a lot of uninterrupted time to read. I can get the satisfaction of finishing the novella or short story in one sitting, whereas I probably won't be able to do that with a novel.
Of course, I expect there to be plot and characterization in anything I read, no matter how short or long. The blogger who only liked novels did not believe it was possible for an author to develop a plot and characters in a short work. I disagree. I've seen it done many times.
Writing-wise, I've written mostly short stories and novellas. My one completed (short) novel is due out in October. I try to provide sufficient plot and characterization no matter how long or short the work, which often requires me to tighten up the writing and cut out the excess "fat."
What do you all think? Do you like short stories, novellas, and multi-author anthologies? Can good characterization and a fully realized plot exist in short works?
Cassandra Gold
www.cassandragold.com
Hot and BotheredAvailable now from Cobblestone Press!
2 comments:
I like a story to be as long as it takes to tell it. I do like longer books, but only if they can carry the length. Just making a book longer by padding it would be terrible. Novellas are often the perfect length to tell that particular story in. Even short stories can have their place.
I read and write all of them.
Good to hear I'm not the only one! :)
(Funny how in college I never felt bad about padding papers to get to the requisite length, but I never want to pad a story now...)
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