Writing Novellas with Guest Author Tamera Kraft

Delighted to have guest author, Tamera Lynn Craft, sharing another avenue for publishing your story: 

Writing Novellas
By Tamera Lynn Kraft

Novellas are basically stories that are too short to be considered a novel and too long to be under the short story category. They are fiction between 15,000 and 40,000 words. Although novellas used to not be popular with traditional publishers because of the high cost of printing them, they have come into vogue. The main reason for this is because of e-books. A novella can be sold in e-book format for as little as 99 cents which makes it very popular with readers. Many publishers have created anthologies with a group of novellas around one topic, such as the Civil War or Christmas on the frontier. I have a published novella in both of these categories.
Although there are no hard fast rules in writing, here are some things to remember about writing novellas:
One Plot: Novellas generally only have one plot. They are too short to develop subplots effectively.
One to Two POVs: A novella does better with only one or two points of view. It’s too short for much character development, so by limiting the number of main character points of view, it makes it easier to have deep character development.
One Topic: Keep the main thing the main thing. You want to limit yourself to a brief span of time and one problem your character needs to overcoming. One major focus will make your novella stronger.
Write Tight: Novellas are shorter than novels. They require you to get to the point as quickly as possible. This isn’t the genre to use long flowing writing or descriptions. Novellas require tight writing.
Soldier’s Heart:

After returning home from the Civil War, will his soldier’s heart come between them?

Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.

But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?

Soldier’s Heart can be purchased at these links:

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Murray-Puras-American-Civil-Soldiers/dp/1622084667/ref=la_B00H9EW5XU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394736845&sr=1-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Murray-Puras-American-Civil-War-ebook/dp/B00FKNQLGE/ref=la_B00H9EW5XU_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394736845&sr=1-4

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murray-puras-american-civil-war-series-cry-of-freedom-volume-13-soldiers-heart-murray-pura/1117191335?ean=2940148560067

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction because there are so many stories in history. Soldier’s Heart is her first published fiction work. She has also written a novella, A Christmas Promise, published through Pelican Book Group. Tamera has recently celebrated her thirty-fifth anniversary with her loving husband. She has two grown and married children and two grandchildren.

Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. 

She is also a writer and has curriculum published including Kid Konnection 5: Kids Entering the Presence of God published by Pathway Press. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

You can contact Tamera online at these sites.

Website: http://tameralynnkraft.net

Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/tameralynnkraft

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tamerakraft