Don't keep me guessing
Did you wake up today with the same burning question on your mind as yesterday and all the days before? Just what the heck is the difference between a novel, novella, and short story? Maybe not. But now that the question is out there, I bet you will. R.E.M. sleep will evade you until the answer is had. How serendipitous, then, that I have compiled the stats so you can slide into dreamland peacefully, without a care.
Patience… remember that virtue (:
Most would agree that the most significant difference is the length. And yes, when it comes to the fiction reader, size matters.
Five hundred to infinity ♾️
Leaving some wiggle room on either side, a novel is any book over 40,000 words, while a short story has fewer than 7,500. (Some say 10,000, and that’s fine.) The novella lands somewhere between the two at 7,500 (10,000 if you choose that team) and under 40,000.
Certain people (I know you've met them) might ask questions like, “What about novelettes? A vignette or a saga?”
To which I say, let’s not get ridiculous.
So, now we know the size. But how else do novels, novellas, and short stories differ for the reader?
Great question. It’s best to ask than to add another imponderable to those deep questions that keep you up at night.
On to the good stuff
Short story
The number of words helps us decide where certain narratives might fit into our lifestyle. A short story might leave the reader less satisfied as the author doesn’t have as much time for in-depth development. No doubt, plenty of authors can deliver all the goods in the fewest words (think songwriters), but even when they do, the reader can feel dissatisfied, longing for more. But don’t discard them entirely. Short stories are excellent for piquing the imagination and filling in dead time, such as in doctors’ offices, airports, and other moments of light stress where focus is low and the desire for distraction is high.
Novella
The novella could be considered the Goldilocks between the three main, non-ridiculous/splitting hairs category lengths, not too long, not too short. Novellas allow enough time to get to know the characters, their history, and the plot hook without monopolizing your life. These books are perfect for lounging by the pool while keeping an eye on the kiddos, bathing at the beach, and keeping your focus on shark sightings, and for keeping you company on nights when you can’t sleep, without adding the burden of too much brainpower.
Novel
The novel is the headliner, which receives the most attention—the gold standard. The lengthiest books bring us into a world both familiar and foreign. We’re held hostage to the writer’s words until the last jaw-dropping twist, shed tear, and toe-curling final kiss. When the story aligns with exactly what we were looking for (often without knowing at first), we’re left both satisfied, wrung out, and sated in a way we won’t soon forget.
Whew! I could use a cigarette right now. Don’t you just love to read?!
So we've discussed the differences in book length and what this distinction means to the reader. But what do they mean to the writer, you inquisitive ones might be asking as you prepare for another night's sleep, setting yourself up to puzzle some more as you seek solace in sleep.
That, my friends, is the topic of Novel, Novella, Short Story: What's the difference? Part 2
* Random hints from Part 2 *
