The HEA Cafe

I usually write 100K. There is something about that number that pleases my muse. Most manuscripts turn out to be that length. I need that length to get my story done. And after all, that is a single title novel.

The trouble with those novels, they take quite a bit of time to write.  Oh, I see people writing a book in a month, but for me 100,000 words is about five months. And life gets in the way, so it might even be six months. And then the publshing process can expand that so the next book might be eight months to one year.

This is where a short story or two can come in. Something a) to goose your muse. For me there is nothing like the bubbling of a new idea to sharpen my editing skills, and b) you get to have something out there between books and c) many publishers expect you to do anthologies.
That was my idea any way. Bam. As that chief says.

And writing a short story, is just the same as writing a long one.

Michele
Well actually, it is harder. Remember that “rule” about no back-story. Well it goes in spades for a short story. A short story can be 5,000 words to 30,000 words. And you still need a beginning, middle and end, you need GMC and you need a black moment and you need turning points. And you have 20 to 120 pages to get it done. Your publishing house might even require 20 pages, or a page count, or a maximum word count. So no room to fudge.

Thus,  there is no room for back story. And no room for long descriptions. You have to get to the meat of your story instantly, describe in a thumbnail, and dialogue needs to sizzle. You need to make words do double duty, e.g.  descriptions can serve conflict as well as image. Each word needs to be weighed and valued for maximum punch.

It is a super way to hone your writing skill and a great way to produce more work in a shorter space of time.

And if you are not published yet, it might be a great way to get started with a smaller house.