Novella + Novella = Novel?

jinkang · Mar 2, 2010

Technically, this is not really a question about novel length...though in a way it is. And I also used the google search below and got some good answers...and yet another question.

While working on a novella of about 20k length, I did some quick market research and found that 20k is a bit on the skimpy side.

As the story is a prequel to another short story I wrote while back, now I'm thinking: what if I add the two? With obvious revisions in the short story, of course.

The total would come out to somewhere around 35~40k range, and I think it would work as a YA.

I came up with all these non-writing related work as a way to procrastinate, but also because I did not want to fluff up the novella too much. Betas will tell me later but I think the story works as is right now, and I do not think adding 10~20k (doubling) to an already completed tale wouldn't work.

So the question is, has anyone done this? I've read published novels with part one and two, where the difference is either POV or timeline.

I wait to learn.

Chris P · Mar 2, 2010

I agree that padding just to make a prescribed word count is a bad idea. I padded my novella to probably about 55K, but then cut it down to 36K and it is much stronger. 36K is all it needed to be, so I left it there. I published it POD, but if I had to do it over again I would have aimed higher.

As to linking two related novellas, I think it could work if can avoid any major jump in tone or style. Many books have jumps in time, so I don't think that alone is going to be a problem.

My nephew (14) is in a similar boat to you; I'm currently reading his 28K (will probably be cut to 20K or so after edits and tightening) that is the first in a series, and combining them is one of the possible suggestions. I'll be interested to see what others say.

Cyia · Mar 2, 2010

If you're planning to sub it to agents, you're still light on the word count. Generally speaking 50 K is the usual "floor" for YA, lower than that is more MG.

jinkang · Mar 2, 2010

I guess another question related to that is, if I do combine the two stories (part 1 and part 2)...should part 1 read as stand alone?

From what I read so far, most of them don't... hmm... I answered my own question, didn't I.

Lady Ice · Mar 2, 2010

Two novellas do not a novel make.

Novellas are not just short novels; they normally only have one plot thread and not a lot of characters. Somewhere in between a short story and a novel.

If the novellas are suitably linked enough (let's say, they're all set in the same city) then you could separate those into parts and call it a novel, possibly.

Danthia · Mar 2, 2010

I suspect having them just be two parts in one would be problematic, as they're read as if they were two parts in one. You don't technically have a novel. But if the one story is a prequel, and the stories link, and have the same protag, then you might be able to rework it so it follows the novel format and have it be a kind of part one and part two deal. Not the same split as it sounds like you have now, but something that makes sense to a larger story arc. You'd have to revise it so it was one story told over a longer period of time if that makes sense.

And 35-40K is on the low side for a YA novel. That combined with the two-part story aspect is a lot to overcome for one book. Not saying it's impossible, but the odds are most likely against you.

Your best bet would probably be to study what you have, see if there are some deeper levels you can go with your current story and find a way to rework it to the 50K range as one story. You don't want to add fluff, but are there any ways to expand on a subplot, or add a subplot that blends well with the main storyline and enhances a theme or aspect already there.

jinkang · Mar 2, 2010

Lady Ice said:
Two novellas do not a novel make.

I agree.

Danthia said:
...Not the same split as it sounds like you have now, but something that makes sense to a larger story arc. You'd have to revise it so it was one story told over a longer period of time if that makes sense...

I like that concept of mini story arcs forming a larger story.

Danthia said:
Your best bet would probably be to study what you have, see if there are some deeper levels you can go with your current story and find a way to rework it to the 50K range as one story. You don't want to add fluff, but are there any ways to expand on a subplot, or add a subplot that blends well with the main storyline and enhances a theme or aspect already there.

Hmm... subplot might work.

The more I look into the story, I feel A) I should finish revision and send to betas to get their ideas; B) the story shouldn't end there.

So I think I'll finish this round of revision first and see if the story does need to continue. In which case, I can try another POV and pick up where this one left off, since I'm dying to try that character's POV.

shaldna · Mar 5, 2010

I think that if they work well as they are then keep them as they are.

Lydia Sharp · Mar 6, 2010

While working on a novella of about 20k length, I did some quick market research and found that 20k is a bit on the skimpy side.

According to who? A novella can be anywhere from 15K-40K, with variations depending on the publisher. Just because 20K is toward the short end of the spectrum doesn't mean there is anything wrong with that length. In fact, you might have a better chance of publication in a magazine or anthology with the smaller word count, since it would be grouped with other stories.

Novella + Novella = Novel?

jinkang

Learning

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

jinkang

Learning

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Danthia

jinkang

Learning

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love