A conversation that took place on Linked-In
11 January, 2014 | By Goldie Alexander
The following discussion took place on Linked-In. I thought the topic might interest other readers. If so please comment.
On 01/09/14 6:16 PM, Julia Osborne wrote:
Thanks for accepting my invitation on Linked-In. You might like to check out my website to see what I’m up to. My new novella The Midnight Pianist is being enjoyed by the baby boomers, although I wrote it with young adults in mind. Nice!best wishes, Julia
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Dear Julia,
Congratulations on your novella. How many pages makes up a novella? I’m never too sure. I also have several new books out for kids you might find interesting if you know any children in lower and upper primary school. happy writing, Goldie
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Hi Goldie,
A novella is up to 35,000 words or thereabouts. My book is 162 pages counting notes at back, and 45K words – not quite a novel and rather long for a novella. Lots of baby boomers are reading it, as it’s set in 1960 – perhaps the teens are too into zombies and werewolves, although I know of a few who have it. Hope that helps, I haven’t written anything for younger children.
best wishes, Julia
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Dear Julia
35,000 is often the length of young reader’s novel. I personally am inclined to appreciate shorter novels. I belong to a bookclub that has set us ‘The Luminaries’ for our 1st meeting. 800 pages. I am wilting and only 1/4 way through. Who has the energy and time for this? It was different in the 19th Century when people had more time to read.
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It would be very interesting to see what other readers have to say about this.
Hi Goldie,
I too wilt at the sight of a tome. Personally, I favour YA over adult books as YAs generally cut to the chase. They tend to have only essential and get to the core of the story. the result is a very satisfying story in less time!
Best, Vicki
Authors who write for kids know how easily their readers can lose interest. We train ourselves to come to the point very quickly. Some of the best adult novels are almost short enough to be called novellas. In my opinion too many adult readers confuse length with skill. My constant cry when a writer becomes well known is that they are never edited enough, almost as if their work is too ‘sacred’ to be touched. Writers hate having their favorite bits chucked out, but that’s often necessary to keep the narrative flow.