I was recently interviewed for Mystery & Suspense Magazine about writing crime novellas, and to share some thoughts on why novellas can be a really good length for crime stories, and why so few crime writers write them.
If that sounds like a contradiction in terms, then you’re absolutely right. It is contradictory. But, as I mention in the interview – alongside a host of fantastic authors, I might add – novellas work for me in many different ways.
I wrote my very first Maratse novella: Katabatic between the Fenna novels and Seven Graves, One Winter. The experience was liberating, and I was consumed by the story, inspired by the length, and motivated to write more.
I wrote a lot more.
And with each novella I wrote, I allowed myself to explore topics, writing styles, and new characters within a ‘safe’ and supportive story format. Safe in this context hopefully doesn’t mean boring, as I had so much fun writing Maratse’s novellas, and that fun spilled over into the Greenland Missing Persons series too.
I don’t go in for padding. A story is the length it needs to be, and if that length is a novella, and it works, then it makes no sense to pad it out to hit publishers’ (and readers’) expectations of longer works. Some stories demand more pages, and that works too. But a story is meant to entertain, and I’m sure we’ve all read stories that could have been 100 pages shorter. Likewise, many readers who have enjoyed my novellas often wish they were a bit longer.
I understand that too.
And so I still write novels.
But I’m itching to write more novellas.
However, I think it’s best to return to this topic later, and give you a chance to read the article first.
The interviewer, William Burton McCormick, is an established author in his own right, and has recently published one of his award winning short stories.
I’ll be back with more thoughts about novellas and short stories later.
Chris
Very interesting Chris. I will read anything that you write because you have captured what i imagine Greenland to be. Whether it be short story,novella,
novelette or novel. There is no ‘getting away with it’ with a novella because the complete story is contained in that format. Padding forbidden!! I can imagine the novella as a great device to promote previous novels. A taster of what you are about. The only thing that worries me,is that ebooks will become the norm. I dont like the format. There is the hope that,at some point in the future,you will get omnibuses of novellas in good ol’ fashioned paper(like the Maratse’s) Will this be the end of paper novels from you? I sincerely hope not. One great thing about all your stories is that you leave it up to the reader to imagine what Maratse and Jensen look like…..until now! No no no! Petra doesnt look like that . She isn’t a squeeky clean character from another planet. Stick to what you’re good at. End of rant.
Believe me Chris,your stories gave me the incentive to book a trip to Greenland. I never thought that would ever happen,so thankyou! When i told my family and friends that that is what ive booked,there is a resounding ‘brilliant!!’ Or WTF?! 🙂
Have a wonderful Christmas. Best wishes to you and Jane.
Graham
Hi Graham. I love the fact that you are heading for Greenland! 🙂 Brilliant! And definitely a little WTF? But that’s the charm of Greenland, it’s a little of everything. As for paperbacks, it’s a tricky one. On the one hand, I completely agree with you, and I do intend to make all my books available in paperback (print on demand). I share the same concerns that paperbacks are a threatened species, but from an environmental point of view, the publishing industry generates massive amounts of waste in pulped books among other things. While I prefer the print-on-demand option for that reason, the books don’t have quite the same quality as a traditional run of books in a printing press. Added to that, the current supply problems in the world, eBooks win the day, I’m afraid. More on this later. However, as for how Petra or any of my characters “look”, you’re right. You have your own picture of her. It’s a bit like seeing Elijah Wood on the cover of a film tie-in Lord of the Rings book. That’s not ‘my’ Frodo. 🙂 I’m experimenting. I’ve already had some feedback preferring the existing non-character covers, and I respect that. I’ll stick with “characters” on my sci-fi and fantasy stuff. 😉 I just have to try things sometimes, just to shake it up a bit. What’s also clear is the Missing Persons series is lighter in tone – purposefully – than the Maratse novels, and I thought the character stuff might suit it better. Then there’s Fenna and her books which are, as some say “brutal”. Juggling all that is fun. Finding the covers to match all that is even more fun. I’ll figure it out. 🙂 All the best for Christmas to you and your family too! And, there’s a Luui story on its way, of course. Chris
You may very well be concerned about the paper wasted by the book publishers, BUT! How am i supposed to insulate my house if you stop having books printed? Eh? Think on that! You’ve saved me a fortune over the last four years. We’ve all got to do our bit!🤣 Happy Christmas!
I’m halfway through the story of the Belgica(Madhouse at the end of the world by Julian Sancton) B L I M E Y!!! Makes Scott’s journey like a jolly jaunt. What a catastrophe even before they left Belgium. Tragic.
Best wishes
Graham
Well, that’s on the to read list now, Graham. Thank you. As for insulating the house… I’m working on it! 😉