During the past week I’ve been working hard on editing book eight in my Middlemarch series. I think one more read through should do the trick and then it’s off to my editor. I’ve also been doing quite a few agent queries for a contemporary project I have and working on a contemporary story for Samhain Publishing.
I like to have lots of “hope in the mail” and intend to write a story to submit to Nocturne Bites. I enjoy reading Harlequin Blaze and Nocturne lines best so it makes sense for me to target one of these lines.
As a reader, I enjoy reading different lengths of romances. I like short stories such as Ellora’s Cave Quickies and the Harlequin Spice, Bites and Historical Undone lines for times when I’m busy with deadlines and other writing things that leave little time for reading. As a writer I appreciate the skill involved in writing a good short story. It’s not easy getting the balance just right.
I read longer stories when I have more time to read and savor. Bring on my holiday. I have dozens of books loaded on my PDA. Add the pool and a fruity drink, and I’ll be a very happy camper.
Which length story do you enjoy most and why?
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March 30th, 2009 at 4:01 am · Link
That’s a tough question, Shelley. I write in different lengths, usually letting the story dictate how long it needs to be – and I don’t get a lot of time to read, so the short stories are nice because I can curl up when I have an hour or two and devour one, but a long, meaty story is nice to have now and then because that makes me slow down and take more time to read.
Dilemmas, dilemmas!
March 30th, 2009 at 4:27 am · Link
Good luck with the queries.
March 30th, 2009 at 4:30 am · Link
I like both, depending on my mood.
I think the more complicated a plot, the greater the character arcs, and the deeper the emotional investment, the longer a book should be. You don’t want to skim through that just to cut down on word count.
If it’s a light-hearted, fun read you could probably get away with a shorter story.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:47 am · Link
First, good luck with the queries. ((HUGS))
I love both long and short. Though lately shorts is all I am able to read because of time constraints.
When I started out I thought writing longer would be easier than writing a “Quickie” length, but I found the exact opposite. I struggle with long and crank out the small pieces. Strange that.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:48 am · Link
Good luck with your agent queries, Shelley.
As to whether I prefer a short or long length story, so long as everything is tied up by the end, I’m happy!
March 30th, 2009 at 6:51 am · Link
I enjoy both long and short stories. It really depends on my mood for the day or week. There are days when I want to read a book cover to cover. But there are times, I want to take my time and drag the book out. It also depends on the author. If I love the author, I tend to not want to put the book down. If it is a new author, I try to take my time and see if I’m truly enjoying the story.
Have a great day.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:55 am · Link
Good luck with Nocturne Bites, Shelley. As much as you publish and as well as you write, they’d be crazy to reject your work! And then it’s on to a full length Nocturne book! (love reading them)
I like reading shorts online because they are quick. I read longer e-pub works too, but I can’t deny that I love holding a book in my hands and reading.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:35 am · Link
I like both long and short books.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am · Link
When I was working full-time, I liked the short length of a Silhouette Desire novel. Since I’ve been out-of-work, I’ve read longer stuff, but I still like shorter work (200-300 pages) as opposed to 500 page novels. My attention span is kind of short.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am · Link
I too love all lengths… and no I’m not talking about “that”–get your mind out of the gutter! — Oh, maybe that’s just me.
I have a few ideas brewing for HQN as well. And like you ‘hope in the mail’ is part of my plan.
Best of luck, Shelley.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:46 am · Link
You always ask the best questions…
I like all lengths for pretty much the same reason you do. I like ‘em short if I want a quick read and I like ‘em long when I want to get lost in a story for a while. I just love them all, period.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:59 am · Link
I read them ALL–although sometimes novella length is a little too short for me.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:30 am · Link
I like both kinds, like you it depends on time frame
Thank you so much for the link to that blog. I appreciate it very much, you’re a doll
March 30th, 2009 at 8:43 pm · Link
I’m gonna buck the trend — I like ‘em LONG. The longer the better. I love Diana Gabaldon, Jacqueline Carey, JR Ward…. assuming it’s a good writer, I love the complexity and the immersiveness of a long meaty read.
I can appreciate the skill required to write a good short story… but it’s not my preference.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm · Link
Ditto what Karen said! It depends on what I’ve got time for, and what I’ve got bandwidth for. I like shorter ones for when I’ve got a lot going on, and save longer, more involved stories for when I can savor them.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:03 am · Link
Jennifer – I hear you about being short of time. That’s why I’m looking forward to my holiday. I’ll have plenty of time to read.
Sandra – thank you. The waiting is killing me. I’m not very patient!
JK – I totally agree. A great meaty plot with lots of emotion and complications calls out for a longer word count. The shorter stories need to be less complicated and focused with fewer characters to work properly. I think it takes a lot of skill to write short.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:08 am · Link
Amy – thanks. As I mentioned I’m waiting impatiently.
One thing I don’t have problems with is length. I can’t explain how it happens but my stories generally end up the length I’m aiming for, be it long or short
Christina – Exactly, if all the ends are tied up and it’s a romance, I’m a happy camper.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:25 pm · Link
Nicola O – believe me – during my holiday the reads are going to be a lot longer and meatier. I’ve been saving them. Now if only I can get my ereader to work. It died on me last night, the screen freezing. I’m going to do surgery in a moment.
Fedora – that’s me exactly. When I’m writing I just don’t get time to indulge my love of reading.