WRITE A WINNING NOVELLA

Anne Greene here. I’ve received so much encouraging feedback from this class that I thrilled. Many people email that they love the lessons. If you enjoy these lessons, I’d love for you to join my community. Also when you make a comment, you put your name in the hat for a drawing—often for an autographed copy of one of my books and occasionally for a critique of your first chapter.

            So, sign up and we can talk.

            Novellas are a popular way to gain new readers. Often they go into anthologies. Find three other compatible writers who write your genre. Find a theme, often a same location, or a special holiday, or some device to connect the four books. Christmas novellas are especially popular.

(1)   For your novella, think of a storyline. Some topic of real interest to you.

(2)   Plan for very short chapters. Usually no more than eight pages.

(3)   Plan for between 30,000 and 40,000 words. Usually eight to ten chapters.

(4)   Focus on one plotline.

(5)   Use the three-act play template—in miniature.

(6)   Page one: inciting incident forces h/h together and sets up the conflict.

(7)   A turning point at the end of chapter three or four. This is something neither the   hero/heroine want but forces them to stay together. It’s usually bad.

(8)   Middle of the story—a love scene. This is their emotional point of no return. They   recognize they are falling in love, but have no clue how to handle this inconvenient emotion. Usually a kiss.

(9)   The black moment enters at the three-quarter point. Trouble brews, or h/h break up,   or they realize they are too very different people who cannot possibly stay together.

(10)       

Work through their issues or solve the mystery or overcome the odds and leave your readers sighing with happiness.  

Additional thoughts:

Keep secondary characters second. Only use them with the h/h. This means no subplots.

 

Of course, use only two POVs.

Write tight, but flesh out the characters and scenes.

Add just enough description for flavor.

Only include essential backstory in small bites.

If it’s a romance, focus on the love story.

So, that’s the formula. From that cryptic outline you can add in my other lessons to make that Novella shine like a star. 

My A Texas Christmas Mystery has won several awards. This week I’m offering an autographed copy to one lucky commenter. So, feel free to ask questions. I’d love for you to comment on a novella you’ve read and enjoyed!   

To make a comment please click on comment, that will open a page that say open content in a new window, click on that and it will take you where you CAN MAKE A COMMENT.   

 

So keep reading and learning. I’ll see you on-line. 

Next week’s lesson will be on NAIL THE EIGHT FEMALE CHARACTER TYPES.