Dancing Word Writers Workshop

with Carol Cox

October 29, 2001

Hosted by: Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

*This chat has been edited for clarity

Anne McDonald: I'll open in prayer and then go over protocol. Lord, thank You so much for Your mercy and grace. Please bless our time together tonight. Guide Carol as she teaches the workshop. Guard our conversations. Bless Brandilyn's family as they deal with their recent tragedy. Guide our writing and help us to bless You. In Jesus' name, Amen

Ok, protocol reminder: type ! for comments, ? for questions, and ga when you are finished. Please wait to be called on. Tonight, I'd like to introduce author Carol Cox. She's going to help us understand the difference between novels and novellas. Carol, the floor is all yours.

AZAnnie leads the applause.

Carol Cox: Thanks, Annie. I appreciate the invitation! Just to let you know a little about my writing background. My first book, an inspirational romance novel, was published by Heartsong in 1998. Since then, I've published two more novels with Heartsong (with a deadline for the fourth coming up next ThursdayYprayers appreciated!) and six novellas with Barbour Publishing.

Okay, let's get into tonight's topic--the difference between novels and novellas in the inspirational market. A novel must contain certain elements...engaging characters, an intriguing story line with both emotional and spiritual conflict and the 3-way relationship between a man, a woman, and the Lord. Characters and situations must be believable, and the story must have a satisfying ending. Word count on a novel can run anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 words, depending on the publisher.

Novellas must include all the above elements while staying within a 20,000 to 30,000 word count, again, depending on the publisher. The challenge is to cut down on word count without sacrificing the story or the quality of writing. In a novella, there's no room for rambling discourse or numerous subplots. You have to remember to stick to the basics. You need to present your characters, scenes, and situations clearly and concisely write " tight" and still tell a great story. Use only two POVs--the hero's and heroine's. Remember, the romance is paramount. Everything else must revolve around that. Nothing can be allowed to move the h/h away from center stage. For instance, in my novels I have a lot of fun with secondary characters. They can add a lot to a story. Can they be used in a novella? Yes, if done sparingly. Make them interesting, but don't go into great depth. It's a matter of doing a quick study here, of painting them with broad brush strokes instead of painstaking detail.

Use them to add depth to your main characters' lives, but don't ever let them overshadow the h/h or the story line. Used with discretion, they can add humor or conflict and a lot of zest to the story. Remember, though, that their primary function is to give your story a credible background and add texture to the fabric that showcases your main characters.

The same goes for subplots. They can be used IF they move the story forward. For instance, in my novella " A Woman's Place" in the Yellow Roses anthology, there's a strong element of mystery. But it's also the thing that draws the h/h together in the first place, then drives them apart, and brings them back together in the end.