A couple of months ago, I saw a workshop being offered at Savvy Authors called Crafting the Sensual Novella. It got my attention since I noticed there was more and more novellas out and small but successful publishers like Entangled, Carina, Samhain, Crescent Moon and many others accept novella submissions. But it was during the beginning of my move from Brazil to the US and I had too many things to do and a kid full-time at the house. So I let it go.

Then, when I was already at the US, but still sunk under the mess of my new house and life, I saw a post by Anne R. Allen called Why Should You Be Writing Short Fiction. Fascinating stuff that made me go googling for that workshop. I found the website of Eliza Knight, the instructor of the workshop, and signed up for her next class (which started in a few days).

Coincidentally, I started April reading two novellas (one novella and one novelette, actually). I haven’t meant to read only novellas on the month I would take a novella writing workshop, but, since I realized I was doing that, I decided to keep at it and read only novellas in April ;)

I’ve never decided I would only read novels. I just read them because they had more exposure, I guess. And I don’t remember how I got into reading novellas, but I do read them now, especially if I know the author, they come with good reviews and recommendations, or if they are part of a novel series. Oh, and if it’s a new author to me and said author has a novella out, I read the novella first to see if I like their style … yeah, I know, it’s almost an imperceptible action I take.

I’ve tried my hand at writing short, but I must admit that it was hard for me basically because I tend to overwrite. But I want to. I would love to come up with a novella series or trilogy. Actually, I already have ideas for the series and the trilogy, but I’m afraid they’ll going to grow too much once I start writing and the novellas will easily turn into novels … I know me.

But I want to write short …

And, like Anne R. Allen said, I’m seeing the novella market take off, aren’t you?

What do you guys think? Do you write short? Do you think about trying it? Do you read short? Do you like reading novellas? I you write novellas or novelettes, care to pass out some advice?

Here are some articles I found on novellas if you’re interested:

http://downtownya.blogspot.com/2012/03/writing-novels-vs-short-stuff.html

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/12/23/novellas-ebook-christmas/

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/491950-why-do-you-like-novella-s

Cheers,