I only have two books out, so take this with a "grain of salt". A number of reviews I've received have commented about the lengths of my stories. I've been hearing lately, "It's a great story. I just wish it was longer, so I could have more time with the characters." Not exactly a bad critiques but a critique none the less, so the question I have to ask is, do I try to stretch out my stories longer or will I lose something in the telling of the story?
I'm a little perplexed by this because I do write novellas. In fact, I enjoy writing them. To tell another truth, I sometimes enjoy reading them more than a full length novel. I'm not saying I'm any busier than anyone else but when I sit down and read, I enjoy being able to read a story in one or two sittings. I'm finding lately, if it takes longer, I start to skim the story. Not saying that I'm not interested in it but I just want to find out how it ends. I mean, I know how it ends; hero and heroine get together and live happily ever after, or at least for now. Those are the only types of books I read, a blog about that at another time.
Is the novella under appreciated?
MRD
This is so irritating to say the least. The reviewers KNOW they're reading a novella. What do they expect? I especially hate when they say that about a quickie. Hello...do you understand the meaning of quickie????? UGH. It frustrates me to no end.
ReplyDeleteLike you I prefer a shorter read because I don't have the time to read long. I'm looking for quick satisfaction. LOL
Though if that's all they can complain about you're doing good. :o)
hugs!
I'm with Amber: A reader should know from the word count or page number or the description NOVELLA that it's going to be a short story when they start reading. There are different kinds of stories written for different kind of readers. Some readers prefer the long, detailed stuff, some like short and quick just-give-me-a-fun-plot, and some like both depending on their mood.
ReplyDeleteI read the reviews for my YA story and it seems when one person says the story was too long, the next person will say it was too short, then it's too long, then too short. It just goes back and forth between each reviewer with no consistency whatsoever.
So I say write what you love to read & what you love to write. Sometimes, the wrong reader looking for a different kind of story will find you, and hopefully sometimes the reader looking for exactly your kind of story will find you. It's all a game of chance.
I've only had a few reviews, and all of them have said the same thing - could have been longer. I think I will attempt to make them longer, but who knows what the outcome will be.
ReplyDelete