Hatrack River Writers Workshop: size and genre

This is topic size and genre in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by HiJolly (Member # 1855) on :

I'm in my 40's and as new as a would-be author can be. Never published anything, anywhere. The neighborhood newsletter doesn't count, does it?

Anyway, I'm wondering about two things:

(1) is there a 'size' guideline as to how many words make a short story vs. a novella vs. a novel?

(2) So there is non-fiction, fiction, screenplays and documentaries. How does 'genre' fit in to that? What are all the different genres, if that's a word?

I just wrote a fun story based on some things that happened in my childhood. It's aimed, I would guess, at 11-12 year olds. What 'genre' is that?

So far, it's basically accurate, though I can see a huge opening for some 'supernatural' things to happen, if I go that way.

What 'genre' would that be?

HiJolly

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

a short story is fewer than 17,000 words.

then there are ranges for novella and novelettes, but I don't remember them.

A novel is more than 40,000 words, though to be published for the first time in adult literature a novel should be between 75k and 125k words.

Genred just means type, and don't worry too much about it except in terms of marketing. Children's literature is a type by itself, and it can get mixed together with others. So if you have supernatural occurences, it might be children's fantasy. 11 or 12 is actually borderline young adult rather than children, now that I think of it.

Posted by Balthasar (Member # 5399) on :

That's not quite right. In the world of speculative fiction -- that is, any science fiction, fantasy, or horror story -- anything under 7500 words is considered a short story, anything between 7500 words and 17,500 words is considered a novelette, anything between 17,500 words to 40,000 words is considered a novella, and anything longer than 40,000 words is a novel.

I'm not aware of "genres" in the world of non-fiction or documentary. There are different kinds of non-fiction: the memoir, the magazine artile, the journal artile, the essay, creative non-fiction, etc.

In the world of fiction there are all sorts of genres. Just go to your neighborhood bookstore and see how fiction is divided.

Posted by HiJolly (Member # 1855) on :

Thanks, I appreciate your comments. I'll ask you one more: What are your fav. web sites, as writers? Just looking for the best resources I can find.

I love this site. Does anyone know if OSC's new poetry book has his "public father" poem? I love that but haven't read it for at least 10 years or so.

HiJolly

Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :

Hi HiJolly!

I've done a ton of searches, and a writer's website I found and think is a wonderful resource is:

http://hollylisle.com/fm/

She has lots of stuff to help writers - I have not even read her books yet, but now that I'm impressed I plan to - she's written quite a few.

Also, if you are looking for an inexpensive creative writing class on-line that also works like a writer's group, there is one offered by a guy out of Utah - happy to share that info (I found the class through one of his students on this website). We just started the third part - he has 4 "semesters" - not sure when he would start over. I'm finding it very helpful.

I understand a little of where you are coming from - I'm creeping up on the 40s, am totally new at this, and the only "publishing" I've done is for a music site or newsletters.

Good Luck!

Posted by Jules (Member # 1658) on :

Got to agree that Forward Motion (linked above) is a great site, as is this.

[As for Holly's books, head over to www.baen.com - there are a couple you can download there. I particularly liked Sympathy for the Devil]

Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :

Thanks Jules - I will! Any recommendations for books of hers to avoid? In particular, she mentioned that her mc doesn't always win or live, and I really prefer when "things work out" - even if it is not a Disney ending I do prefer the success story! To avoid spoilers for others, you could e-mail punahougirl84@yahoo.com, if you feel like it, but no pressure...!