Writing for the Week: Lengths and Types of Written Works

This week will be short and sweet. While in the planning stage, you usually can estimate how long you want it to end up.

I am extremely tired and lost hold on my schedule for today So, to get back in a posting groove, I want to share what each type of written work is used for and how long it is. Note: I probably won't get them all, but I will touch on the main ones. 

Memoirs: memoirs are non-fiction bits that are inspired from a single memory of the author (unlike an autobiography). They usually get exaggerated a little bit but are still true. An essay length memoir is usually between 2,000 and 5,000 words. Depending on what the memoir's purpose, it can be as short as 300 words or as long as 70,000.

Poetry: we don't need much explanation for this on. Poetry uses rhyme, meter, figurative language, and more to evoke meaning or feeling.

Flash Fiction: flash fiction is a very short fictional work that focuses on a single, pivotal moment or situation rather than developing a complex plot or characters. It is typically under 1,500 words.

Short Stories: short stories are fictional works that are shorter than a novel, typically focusing on a single plot, a small number of characters, and a limited timeframe. It is concise and self-contained, often designed to be read in one sitting. Word count can fall anywhere between 1,000 and 10,000 words.

Novelettes: novelettes focus on a single incident with more character and theme development than a short story. Their word count falls anywhere between 7,500–17,500 words.

Novellas: novellas are the in-between. They can be considered a short novel or long short story. They are usually between 10,000 to 40,000 words.

Novels: novels are bigger than novelettes and novellas. They are long enough to include complex plots, multiple subplots, and extensive character development. They are 40,000 words and higher.

Epic Sagas: epic sagas are the big boss they are multi-volume works that can be seen as "bigger" than a single novel, encompassing multiple stories and characters across many books. 

Now that you know what type of work you are writing, let's get to it! Happy writing! -- Aviya ❤️