As a point of reference for the science fiction genre writer, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America defines short story length in its Nebula Awards for science fiction submission guidelines as having a word count of less than 7,500.[1]

 

A novelette (or novelet) is a piece of short prose fiction. The distinction between a novelette and other literary forms, like a novella, is usually based upon word count. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula awards for science fiction define the novelette as having a word count between 7,500 and 17,500 in length.[1]

 

A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. While there is disagreement as to what length defines a novella, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of AmericaNebula Awards

 for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000.[1

 

 

 

 

Comments on the 1st re-write as posted on dA:

 

 

~describe the characters and the room better…

YELL SCREAM DEMAND....there i'll bug you for more^.^ --Sammie

 

 

 

What is with those names? They look like some sort of horrible mixture of Greek, Latin, and Russian. The sheer peculiarity of them distracts me from the story.

Also, I checked out a book today called "The 38 Most Commons Mistakes Fiction Writers Make."

One that I made you seem to have avoided--you started with a conflict, with action. I usually "set the scene" which you apparently aren't supposed to do.

Although I've noticed one here that I try not to overdo. You use lots of synonymns for simple words like "said," "asked," and "answered." The book said something about how many people are afraid to use "said" too much, and end up using it too little.

And also, he said, "Don't show off," either with vocabulary or weird technical knowledge or something, because readers can detect it and get turned off, not to mention it gets the story nowhere.

 

 

-- Matt B.

 

 

 

 

Very nice. I cannot wait for the rest. - Davidus

 

 

 

 

Oh I like it. The supernatural element. I can't wait to continue reading! :) - Iessica

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know you have tried this concept with these characters before. I like this opening though.

And you just HAD to make that joke, didn't you. lol!

I actually laughed out loud at the part where he was saying they're just being socially awkward for the heck of it. :D

 

--Jessica