The Long and Short Of It
Posted by Samantha Hunter in Samantha Hunter, tags: anthologies, contest, novellas, online reads, writing
In the last 18 months or so, I have had the chance to write three Blaze short forms, novellas. I’ve found, as a person, I like both long and short projects for different reasons. For instance, when it comes to sewing, I make large quilts than can take me a year to finish (or more), and those are really wonderful to see come together, but I also love to make bags and small projects I can finish in a day, because I get the immediate gratification, and I learn a different set of skills. It works the same with writing.
I have an online read (which I believe starts on Aug 17 on eHarlequin — the title is Caught by Surprise and it’s a linked story to my October “Dressed to Thrill” Blaze, Caught in the Act), and my other two novellas are anthology books, my story “No Reservations” which came out last July in the What I Did On My Summer Vacation collection, and my upcoming 2010 Bedtime Stories two-fer. All of these novellas were different lengths, different formats, and from them I get that same short-term, immediate gratification blast that I get from any other short project — it’s a brief, intense experience that teaches you a lot about focus and pacing in a whole different way than writing a full novel. I also learn to be flexible in my story telling, to break out of the well-worn lessons we learn in writing long contemporary.
I love writing the short form, though I know some people find it more difficult. But I also love subplots, and I suppose those are a kind of short format, as well. I think I’ve brought some of that focus and speed that a short-form teaches you back to my regular book writing. I hope so, anyway. I find the expansiveness of the longer book a much bigger challenge. In a long book I need to dig deep and pull out a lot of layers, an experience that I find satisfying in a different way, like mining for gold. But it can be stressful, and stressful over a longer period of time. Still, I think writing shorter format has taught me how to get into stories faster and how to hit a level of intensity in a more focused way, and I think that will make writing longer books more interesting as well.
As a reader, I tend to like full-length books over anthologies or serials. I don’t even like short chapters — I never understood how people enjoyed The DaVinci Code because it was so chopped up for me, all those one or two page chapters, it drove me batty. I didn’t feel like I could get into it, like having commercial breaks every 3 pages. I like the feeling, as a reader, of really soaking up a story and staying in there for a while, and shorts never let me do that. However, though now that I’ve discovered how much fun they are to write, I think I will go get some anthologies and read some novellas b/c I have a feeling I would read them differently now, too.
How about you? Reader or writer, long or short, or both? What are the benefits and downsides for each? Share, and for those of you following me long in my blog tour, this post counts to qualify you in my contest to win a handmade bag and signed books (details at ). Even if you missed my initial post, it’s not too late to join the tour starting with this blog, so I hope you’ll hop on and follow me through June blogging. 
Sam
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I tend to keep two or three things active at once–a “long” (which, for me, is a really long book–i.e. Diana Gabaldon), a single-title or category romance, and a book of “shorts.” What I read depends on my mood and ability to concentrate–the novels are good for sitting on the back patio watching the toddler play. Fat books are like winter knitting projects (and honestly, probably won’t open another one of those until it gets cold again). The shorts are waiting-room reads (or if I don’t want to tempt myself to stay up until 2a just to finish the novel!)
So my decision on length is pretty much a pragmatic one.
Hey Keri — my husband reads those really huge books, too — the Clavell and the Neal Stephenson stuff, and I think he has read Gabaldon. My own reads tend to level out in the mid-long contemp range, maybe 300-350 pages is what I can manage in a week or two just reading in the evening.
But how interesting that you only read really, really long or really short — but I’m assuming the long contemp and category really does seem short compared to the others!
Sam
Hi Sam
I prefer long, but I like shorts as well because, I tend to read the shorts between the longs as a “breather” especially if the long was very emotional. For me a short must be light but still hold my interest to the last page.
Both have their pros and cons. I take breaks by reading between chores by reading a chapter or two. Short chapters, short breaks. sometimes a chapter can be too long and drag. Read a chapter before going to bed. Long chapters, and I’ll fall asleep in the middle of one.
short stories are good for when I’m busy and can get something read. But too many short stories, and I get bored. A long book is nice to dig into the layers and see the character development and plot development.
A well written story, short or long can leave the reader satisfied and happy.
Great point, Teresa! So size really doesn’t matter? *G*
Sam
I like both, short are good when I don’t have a lot of time to get into a longer book and longer are better when I need to escape.
While I prefer the long stories most of the time there are times when I also enjoy the short stories. I enjoy anthologies where there is more than one story to read and I like the stories in the anthology to be short. I mostly like to read short stories when I am pressed for time to read. (O)
Thanks for coming by and sharing on a holiday weekend, folks!
That’s true — I like the idea of the shorter format as “a breather” from longer projects, but the longer reads being more of an “escape.” I’ve also found new authors through short reads — I found Patricia Briggs that way, through an anthology. I have to admit, the shorter formats are easier to write in a shorter time, too — I can do a novella in a month, but I would be comatose if I tried to write a whole book in that time (though I have, LOL).
Sam
Shorts is how I discovered Joan Johnston. She had written one with Diana Palmer and I have liked her contemporary stuff ever since. She has the begining of a new series coming out next month and I can’t wait.
I love “story”. Size doesn’t matter;> As a reader, I love the instant gratification of novellas. I’m reading them more and more. As a writer, I love the intensity of boiling down conflicts and passion and adventure into their most concentrated form. However, as a reader and a writer, I also love the decadence of pages and pages to explore and lose myself in for hours and hours.
It’s great to write in a genre where we can have it all, isn’t it? I like that description of boiling down — yes, that’s exactly it. I enjoy that, too, though there isn’t much in life that compares to finishing a complete novel. That’s why finishing is so important, even if something doesn’t sell, finishing is a huge accomplishment.
Sam
I find it harder to write shorter. Everything has to be really, really tight. As far as reading, I love them both. I love a good story. Thanks for great stories I love to read!
Thanks back at you, Jen, for sharing your stories with me, too.
I’ve heard from a lot of writers who naturally “write long” that they find short formats harder. I like that it’s trained me to be less wordy in general (though not in emails or posts, LOL).
Sam
(C) I like both! I can read a long sometimes in one or two days. Yes, I am one of those readers that when a book catches my attention I tend to just sit and read until I am through. I read shorts fairly fast as well. I have been known to read more than one a day. But mostly I try to just read one in a days time. My book bill at the book store is crazy. LOL
As a writer (or wanna be writer) I write stories that are about 56,000 words and have never tried any longer nor shorter so I really don’t know much about anything other than what I write.
(H) I hope everyone has a great weekend and holiday! It may rain here in the panhandle of Texas but we need it really bad. We are in the middle of a drought.
Wishing you some rainy days, Patsy — we need some rain here, too, and we’re supposed to get some showers later, but I hope to get outside and do some gardening first.
I generally only read at bedtime, and sometimes during the day on the weekend, so you’d think I read more short books, but in general it takes me anywhere from a week or two to get through a regular book. Though I am reading more, and maybe a little faster, with my Kindle.
Aspiring writers worry a lot about word count, I know — I get that question a lot. But, my first Blaze was 80K, and it sold and hit the shelves that way. Our wise editors always told me, write the book, and don’t worry about word count (as long as you are in the ballpark) — it’s the story that matters. Some stories will carry you long, others take less.
For the online read, in particular, it’s very interesting from a writing perspective, since it’s 20 short chapters, and that’s VERY different for me. Enjoying it very much, though. It’s good to challenge yourself as a writer — Brenda talked to me once about writing to the premise, so like with Hard to Resist, it was like “write a Texas Ranger book” and then you have to go find a story with a Texas Ranger in it, or, with my October book, we have a 4-author continuity and we have to work together around a “wrong costume” idea — and it’s a challenge. But it’s very satisfying when you do it.
With the online read, the requirement was “Write whatever you want, but it has to be this very structured format” and I really am enjoying it.
Having taken on these projects, I’ve learned so much that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Sam
I do start with the idea of who my characters are and a little of their background in mind and let the story unfold before me as I write. But aren’t editors interested in at least a minimum word count most of the time especially if you are unsigned? I do tend to write the story and in the end I look at the word count to see how close I am. Then I can tweek a little here and there as I do my proof read and rewrites. My best friend reads my stuff and lets me know if she thinks it is written smoothly (Which helps a lot!)
Yes, you have to be in “the ballpark” of the word count, and I would say you are probably safer over than under, but as long as you are within range, I think what always counts most is that you have a good story on your hands. Everything else can be worked out in editing!
Sam
(C) Mornin’ Sam. Feel stalked yet?
You asked: How about you? Reader or writer, long or short, or both? What are the benefits and downsides for each?
I like to read both. The downsides are my inpatience on the online reads @ eHQ. Congrats to you again on yours! I hate waiting for them–for anything. But the benefits for them are they’re free and you all might get some new readers out of it so I try to just complain internally. :-$
Writing, I’m long-winded and don’t think I could write a short, so my hat’s off to all of you who write such awesome novella’s. (Y)
You can stalk me any time Rae. (D)
Good point on the impatience for serials… I can imagine a lot of people might wait a week and read them in clumps, or even when it’s complete. Sometimes I even hate waiting a week for the next epi of my TV shows, so I understand!
And thanks to you and the eHarlequin team for offering us all such great support all the time.
Sam
Sam, I like both, but these days I have a slight tendency for shorter to medium length stories partly because I rarely have the luxury of enjoying good chunks of reading time, and I really dislike having to set down a book repeatedly while reading–grrr! While the longer stories are often a more leisurely, richer experience, I often lack the time to do them justice and the quicker reads fit the bill nicely.
I can see that writing different lengths requires plotting somewhat differently–I do hate when a shorter story feels oddly rushed or has an ending that feels “tacked on”… it’s a gift when a writer can make a shorter story feel complete and just the right length!
Uh-oh… nothing like laying on the pressure, Fedora! LOL
I think my novellas round out — they feel like “whole stories” to me — the online read, well, I think it works and I’ll be happy to hear what folks think, because while it’s the same length in pages as my novellas, it’s 20 short chapters, instead of say, seven longer ones. So that will be interesting, to see how that works in terms of readers responses…
I hope you’ll let me know.
Sam
LOL–sorry, I should have added that your novellas are among the ones that I consider well done! I do get the feeling that the relationship develops “naturally” and that the characters have real motivations, etc. Please just keep on writing! We’ll be lining up to read ‘em! (Long or short!)
I love to read and write both long and short. Longer often equals richer, more indepth stories that I can’t put down. Shorts seems lighter, fun and are great in the bathtub.
Great topic Samantha,
Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by on the weekend.
Hope you have a great one,
Sam
I just love to read! So its the story concept that catches my eye, not the length. I tried my hand at writing a short recently, after writing only long. It’s tough! Everything has to happen so much faster. Start, middle, end, done! It’s a challenge.
It is a challenge (well, all writing is, isn’t it?), but I think the more challenges we take on, the better!
Sam
I like both. I usually read a few shorter books between long novels. I
Hey Chey.
That sounds like a good plan. I think we all have to vary what we read or it all blurs together, you know?
sam
I’m a reader and I enjoy both long and short stories. I usually prefer a meaty novel with 300 pages or more, but sometimes I’m in the mood for something short and sweet.
Hi Jane!
I hope short and sexy will do as well.
Sam
Sometimes I do enjoy a quick novella or short story, but normally would muchrather read a full-length novel. I do try to take my time with them, but some books grab you so much it’s hard to pace yourself.
That’s the best, isn’t it? When you can’t put it down?
Sam
Oooh, talk about a timely question. I’m working on my first novella now and should finish it this week and I’m on the fence about how much I’m loving the process :-S I keep getting these ideas that would expand it into a full-length LOL, so its more a matter of discipline and staying on track than anything else.
As a reader, I love both long and short. Anthologies are a great way to read writers I might not have been familiar with, for one. For another, they are those perfect ‘waiting while the kid is in her piano lesson’ reads!
Hey Tawny — the first one I did, for the Summer Vacation collection, was more of a challenge too (well, I haven’t gotten the edits on the second one yet, the bedtime story, but I felt like it went far more easily). The second one was also half of a book, so a tad longer than the Summer Vacation story, which was a third of a book — amazing how much difference those pages can make. My online read is probably going to end up somewhere between 100-120 pages if you printed it out… so about the size of a half-Blaze, but with 20 chapters, and I found I had to think ahead about “hooks” much more — especially Friday cliffhangers.
I bet when you do another one you’ll find it much smoother…and I can’t wait to read yours. It’s Bedtime Story, too, right?
Sam
It is a Bedtime Story, Sam. Out in January. I love the idea, the concept and all, but just hope I do it justice.
I like the idea of the next one being smoother, too, since I’m lined up to do a Christmas Antho too LOL.
I read both long and short. The short are great when I have limited time to read. T
The long ones are great for long weekends.
I like both long and short. Short is good when I have just a small amount of time to get my romance fix and long is good because I get to spend more time engrossed in the characters’ story.
Susan and Crystal, thanks for coming by, and I’m very relieved to see there are so many readers who enjoy long and short format.
I know I am definitely going to pick up more anthologies this summer.
A HUGE thanks to everyone who has come by today…I appreciate you giving up a few minutes of your Saturday to chat with me.
Sam
Hi Sam! Great post!
I’m someone who always read and wrote longer works until I tried a Christmas Blaze anthology in ’07 and was simply floored by how much story the authors packed into such a short word count. Kathleen O’Reilly’s, in particular, is on my keeper shelf. After that, I became a little more experimental in my reading and writing tastes.
I just finished my first short last month – it came in at 23K, about half of the two Blazes I’d written, and I LOVED writing it! The shorter length really helped me to keep the focus tight. I’m very long-winded by nature, but I think writing shorts will be nothing but beneficial for me in learning to write more sparingly. I’m writing another short right now, along with my first single title, so we’ll see if I still enjoy the shorter format this go round.
Cari, thanks for coming by.
I’m glad I checked back. 
I think I can be long-winded, too, though I seem to to be in a nice comfort zone with Blaze around 60K… though a few of mine have come in a little over or under, since stories vary. It does help to sharpen your writing, I think, to master short format.
I’ve read several of the Blaze anthologies as well, the most recent being the last Bedtime Stories book, and if everyone hasn’t read them, I highly recommend! It seems like sexy only gets more fun and more intense in the novellas, IMO.
Good luck on your Blaze subs, as well!
Sam
I like both. Initially, I didn’t really like novellas, but a few years later, they seem to be all I’m reading right now. I’m going through a major reading slump, and novellas are nice because they’re so short -it’s easy for me to read one in one sitting, so I won’t be able to put it down and leave it.
I love novellas because they’re short, sweet, and entertaining. Like a sitcom. (Haha, for a REALLY high brow comparison.)
However, I love the longer novels because I do get invested. I get to know the characters, and I want to know what happens to them. I feel like they have a definite personality and some characters really stay in my mind for a long long time.
Awesome! I love it that you got addicted to short reads — I wonder if that will happen for me if I read more? And I am a huge TV addict, so I don’t mind the TV comparison one bit. Now that you mention it, though, I still remember that novella that led me to Patricia Briggs… it was really so well done, it made me want to read more of her, and it did stick in my mind. I think we frequently find the lighter storylines in short reads, but it’s a little more unusual to find suspense or darker storylines (though I have attempted it in my last two, to a degree), because then you are really having to condense a lot… but Briggs did it really well.
And thanks to Fedora and Patsy
Sam
Hey Sammas! I loved writing my novella for Hot City Nights. The story I told was one that I had been fooling around with in the back of my mind a while, but I couldn’t quite work out how to turn it into a full length book. Then I got the novella offer and went “aha!”. And so Back to You was born – kudos to you for the title, too. Bless you!!! As you know, I have also recently finished the first draft of a longer form book. That clocked in at twice the typical Blaze length and was a joy to write. So, you know, I think I like it all! As long as the story engages me and I can get into the zone with the characters, I’m off and away, really.
Hey Sarah — your approach to writing is always an inspiration to me.
Honestly, I’ve always considered myself a writer who’s better on the “shorter” side, but then I remembered my first Blaze was long, and I think, like you have experienced with your longer format book, when the story carries you away, word count is not a problem. It’s a good lesson to remember, to let the story take you away and not worry about the rest of it.
I felt that way with my novella for the Bedtime Stories two-fer, working title “More Than She Wished For,” — I guess I just had a genie story inside me somewhere, and when the right heroine appeared, and I felt like that story just wrote itself. Love it when that happens.
But as you’ve told me, what it comes down to is that we’re not long writers or short writers… we’re just writers.
You’re welcome on the title, LOL
Sam
i like both stories cognrats on teh books (Y)
Thanks!
I hope you enjoy them. 
When I’m pressed for time, I love reading anthologies because there’s a natural stopping place. Not that I always stop.
I do think the danger is the same with any good story… always hard to stop.
Sam
I love anthologies, especially when I’m waiting at the doc’s office, or right before a film begins… Or just before bed. That way I’m not up quite so late when I’m captured by a wonderful book.