{"id":1251,"date":"2024-11-05T11:45:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T16:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.inkitt.com\/blog\/?p=1251"},"modified":"2024-11-19T11:34:31","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T16:34:31","slug":"novella-definition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/novella-definition\/","title":{"rendered":"Novella Definition: What is the Meaning of a Novella?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Novella\u2026didn\u2019t Orwell write one of those, and weren\u2019t we forced to read it in secondary school? Yes, he did, and yes, we were, but don\u2019t panic; this will only be half as boring! (Kidding, it\u2019s going to be fun).<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Novella?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

A novella<\/b> is a short work of fiction, typically longer than a short story but shorter than a full-length novel. It usually ranges from about 20,000 to 50,000<\/strong> words and focuses on a single, more streamlined plot or character arc, allowing for deeper development than a short story but without the complexity of a novel.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get to grips with the general idea of a novella, we\u2019re going to look at a few things, including its \u2018counterparts\u2019 (short stories and novelettes) of sorts and the basic definition itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4 Main Differences Between a Novella and\u00a0 Short Story<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Aspect<\/b><\/td>\n \n

Novella<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Short Story<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Length<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n Novellas are like the \u201cjust right\u201d middle ground\u2014usually between 20,000 and 50,000 words.<\/span><\/td>\n Short stories keep it brief, usually under 10,000 words.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plot Complexity<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n novellas can get a little more complex with multiple scenes, twists, and even some subplots. They pack a lot more action into a slightly longer read.<\/span><\/td>\n Short stories usually zoom in on a single event or moment.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Character Development<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n A novella lets you dive a bit deeper into character backgrounds and motives.<\/span><\/td>\n Short stories, on the other hand, often give us a quick snapshot, focusing on just one key moment or feeling.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Focus and Theme<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n Novellas, with their extra length, can explore a single theme more deeply or even touch on a couple of different themes.<\/span><\/td>\n Short stories usually stick to one clear theme or idea, making them super focused.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Long Story Short<\/span><\/h3>\n

In their most basic definition, short stories are simply literary pieces of 3,500 to 7,500 words and typically contain simple plots and\/or subversive themes, sometimes<\/span> retelling popular stories<\/span><\/a> through a new lens, as in Angela Carter\u2019s feminist retellings of fairy tales in <\/span>The Bloody Chamber<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019re known, however, for creating nuanced morality tales wherein a meaningful message can be taken from the story (see Hans Christian Anderson).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, unlike a novel, the purpose of the short story is not a complex reimagining of a story told from a different character\u2019s perspective (e.g.,<\/span> Sapir Englard\u2019s<\/span><\/a> His Haze<\/span><\/i><\/a>, a reimagining of<\/span> The Millenium Wolves<\/span><\/i><\/a> written from a <\/span>male perspective<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather, it is to create what Edgar Allan Poe called the \u2018unity of effect.\u2019 Decide what effect you want to have on your audience and craft a short, simple narrative to provoke that reaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then there is a Novelette<\/b><\/h2>\n

A novelette<\/strong> is a work of fiction that falls between a short story and a novella in terms of length, typically around 7,500 to 20,000 words<\/strong>. It offers more space for plot and character development than a short story but remains more concise than a novella. Novelettes usually focus on a single storyline or theme, allowing for a bit more depth than a short story while still keeping a quick, engaging pace. They\u2019re great for readers who want a rich story without the commitment of a full-length book.<\/span><\/p>\n

Novella VS Novelette<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Aspect<\/b><\/td>\n \n

Novella<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Novelette<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Length<\/span><\/td>\n A novella is longer, typically ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 words\u044e<\/span><\/td>\n A novelette is shorter, generally between 7,500 and 20,000 words.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plot Complexity<\/span><\/td>\n Novellas often include a more complex plot with multiple scenes, conflicts, or even subplots.<\/span><\/td>\n Novelettes tend to focus on a single, straightforward storyline.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Character Development<\/span><\/td>\n A novella provides more space for detailed character development, exploring characters’ backgrounds and growth over time.<\/span><\/td>\n A novelette, being shorter, usually offers a snapshot of the character\u2019s experience, with less emphasis on deep character exploration.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Biggest Names in Short Fiction<\/b><\/h2>\n

Novelettes and novellas are among the longer, weightier works in shorter fiction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Novellas, the more popular of the two, include well-known examples like <\/span>Animal Farm<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>Breakfast at Tiffany\u2019s<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They usually have simple plots, sometimes include moral lessons, and can often be read in one sitting. Think of a novella as the fun of a novel without the length or time commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Small Stories in a Vast (Worldwide) Web<\/b><\/h2>\n