Counting Words
November 17th 2008 17:37
Defining works of fiction by Word Count . . .
Novel - 40,000 words or more
Novella - between 17,500 and 40,000 words
Novelette - between 7,500 and 17,500 words
Short story - 7,500 words or less
Short-short story - between 1,250 and 3,000 words.
Sudden fiction - between 750 and 1,250 words
Flash fiction - between 250 and 750 words.
Microfiction - 100 words or less
Drabble - exactly 100 words long (A double drabble [200 words] is a droubble. Half a drabble [50 words] is a dribble.)
69er - exactly 69 words long, often written as a group of three 69ers of similar theme
Nanofiction - exactly 55 words long, with titles no more than 7 words long
55er - exactly 55 words long, the first line is 10 words long, and each following line should have one fewer word, ending in a one-word line.
Postcard/thumbnail fiction - 50 words or less
Baby shoes - 6 words long, eg: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” by Ernest Hemmingway
Vignette - short, impressionistic scene that requires little or no character development or plot, it provides a glimpse into a scene or emotion without care for story arc.
Novel - 40,000 words or more
Novella - between 17,500 and 40,000 words
Novelette - between 7,500 and 17,500 words
Short story - 7,500 words or less
Short-short story - between 1,250 and 3,000 words.
Sudden fiction - between 750 and 1,250 words
Flash fiction - between 250 and 750 words.
Microfiction - 100 words or less
Drabble - exactly 100 words long (A double drabble [200 words] is a droubble. Half a drabble [50 words] is a dribble.)
69er - exactly 69 words long, often written as a group of three 69ers of similar theme
Nanofiction - exactly 55 words long, with titles no more than 7 words long
55er - exactly 55 words long, the first line is 10 words long, and each following line should have one fewer word, ending in a one-word line.
Postcard/thumbnail fiction - 50 words or less
Baby shoes - 6 words long, eg: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” by Ernest Hemmingway
Vignette - short, impressionistic scene that requires little or no character development or plot, it provides a glimpse into a scene or emotion without care for story arc.
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Comment by Cheryl J
Funny Videos
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
Budget Centsability
What a great list! I love to count ah ah ah.
PS: So THAT'S what a 69er is.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Yeah, I had no idea Alanis Morisette was so literary.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
god youre a dag! haha
hi Ruby,
i think we all learnt something about 69ers here today!
look if the lady doesnt know what irony is we can hardly expect her to know the definitions of obscure forms of mini-fiction!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I want to write some Flash Fiction. Sounds so... flash.
Very informative Morgan, and I love the perfectly apt inclusion of the Count!
Mich
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i came across the word "novelette" and decided to investigate, i had no idea there were so many categories for fiction that is shorter than a novel!
i think we really need to include The Count when counting . . . he sets a great mood!
i like your speeding idea "there was glare on my speedo and i couldnt see where the needle was pointing!"
Comment by Paul
Surreal Short Stories
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
thanks for stopping in!
i didnt know any of it until last night, so we are peas in a pod!
i thought there were just novels and short stories, but apparently it is far more complex than i first imagined!
Comment by Janet Collins
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Fun post.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
haha we may have a way to go before blogging is classified as literature!
Comment by Janet Collins
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
maybe i should assign myself a task to write a drabble, a 55er and a few 69ers?
or perhaps a series of thumbnails?
just reading about creativity makes me wanna be more creative!
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
someone with waaaay too much time on their hands!
haha
but to answer the question my main sources were these:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
The Blog of Lists
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
well it gives you a bit of incentive hey!
a novel can seem a bit daunting but some "baby shoes" are quite achievable!
good luck with your fiction writing . . . sounds like you are making MUCH more progress than me!