My two interactive mysteries for Quirk (The Crimes of Dr. Watson, Batman: Murder at Wayne Manor) are also technically novellas, neither of them topping 20,000 words.
Over the summer I wrote a novella for IDW's G.I. Joe series called "Speed Trap," which will be included in a G.I. Joe: Cobra Wars anthology (edited by Max Brooks) next spring. But you can read the whole thing -- all 16,000 words of it -- right now, because the "Speed Trap" was included as a bonus feature in G.I. Cobra Special #2, available in finer comic book shops everywhere.
I'm proud of "Speed Trap" because I wrote it while traveling cross-country, and I tried to make use of what I saw on the road. I also tried to fit a novel's worth of plot into 16,000 words, gleefully tossing out anything that didn't keep the story moving, moving, moving. And I'm really happy to see that it's earned some kind words over at CBR.com today.
I'm still in the process of revising "Speed Trap" for the anthology, so Swierczy collectors (all three of you) might want to scoop up this issue, if you'd like to compare an early draft with the finished version.
And you don't have to be a die-hard G.I. Joe-head to appreciate the story; you learn all you need to know along the way. Hope you have a chance to check it out.
7 comments:
Sounds very cool. Passing along the word on my blog here:
http://bishsbeat.blogspot.com/2010/10/comics-corner-duane-swierczynski-alert.html
Just curious at what word count you consider something going from short story to novella. And from novella to novel. Looks like about 15k to 20k is our breaking point, but wasn't sure. And just curious since I know there are no hard and fast rules regarding length.
Jarrett: Everyone has different ideas about these things, but I always think that once you're past 7,000 words, you're creeping into novella territory, and once you're past 35,000 words (the length of Cain's POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), you're in novel country. Pretty sure I picked these road markers up from a Stephen King intro, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.
I'm thinking that's the afterword to DIFFERENT SEASONS...one of my faves.
Hi Duane. I love The Blonde, and would dig reading The Redhead. I looked around on your site and didn't see a place to e-mail you. Is it hiding somewhere? And thanks for the heads up about the new novella. I love novellas, haven't looked at a G.I. Joe since 1978 or so, but will be heading down to my local comic book shop tomorrow at lunch.
Joe: I think you're right. Always struck me as a good yardstick.
Mark: Sorry about that; my e-mail is under the "profile" section of this page. It's duane DOT swier AT verizon DOT net.
Thanks, Duane. Appreciate hearing your yardstick. I know there are no hard and fast rules but always like knowing what others use as a guide.
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